The design of this clock is loosely based upon one of the two clocks produced James Edwards of Stourbridge in England to be exhibited at the Great Exhibition held in Hyde Park London in 1851.

(F B Royer Colards book "Skeleton Clocks" is an excellent reference work for those interested in skeleton clocks. It has a colour photograph of a fine example of the origional clock on the dust jacket.)

All the parts of the clock and case were constructed in house with the exception of the spring, some 3mm brass studding and six 3mm hex nuts.

The steel cable attached to the fusee passes through the box to spring assembly below. The fusee is not detachable as in the original.

Reference

"Skeleton Clocks" F B Royer Collard FBHI

Published NAG Press, London 1969

 

This shows the clock complete with the dust cover the approximate sizes are :-

600mm(24") High x 300mm(12") wide x200mm(8")Deep.

The clock is an 8 day movement and at present has a maximum variation of around 30 secs between windings.

The case is Tasmanian Oak, a native Australian eucalypt hardwood. It is a fairly light coloured timber with pink tints I have lightly stained it to give a more traditional finish. The case was finished using white shelac French polish.

The box below the glass dust cover houses the spring assembly and is accessed by sliding the front panel to the right.
Case complete
Face hands and motion work
The anchor escapement is a standard arrangement being attached to its arbor by a 1.6mm grub screw. I feel this permits the clock to be set in beat with greater ease than solid fixing using solder or "Loctite".
Front veiw (using fill in flash)
The finial of the pendulum adjustment is on a 3mm(1/8") threaded rod to give an indication of its size.

An accurate scale drawing was used to produce the engraving template for the dial. The Alexander Pantograph was used to produce the engraving.

The hands are hand cut and blued in the traditional manner.

I am currently experimenting with a more closely representative dial made from frosted glass with gold leaf numerals.

 

Rear view.

The origional clock has a glass centre set in a bezel for the pendulum bob.

The suspension spring is held by the adjuster and the pendulum rod by means of a split clamping arrangement which I felt was more satisfactory than the normal slot cut with a piercing saw blade. This ensures greater stability for the suspension spring.

The pendulum rod is 304 stainless steel avoiding rust problems due to handling