Fusee – It's About Time

J.W.Benson Twin Fusee Wall Clock

Paul Williams — Thu, 14 Dec 2023 10:52:01 +0000

A fine and small striking wall clock by J.W.Benson of Ludgate Street, London, styled as a wall/bracket clock. The Red Walnut case is of good colour, hung from the top, with a faux bracket and decorative floral carvings to the trunk, as well as stylish twin side panels and locking bottom door. The clock is nicely balanced with a wide surround and 8″ cream enamel dial, brass bezel and convex glass cover. A substantial and fine quality twin chain fusee movement, bell striking on the hour, which is unusual for a clock like this and it will run for 8 days on a full wind.

Camerer Cuss Holborn Town Hall Wall Clock

Paul Williams — Sat, 16 Sep 2023 15:54:13 +0000

This wall clock hung in Holborn Town Hall which is a beautiful building in the French Renaissance style built in 1879. The building was originally a Library (at ground floor) and we would imagine this clock was made specifically for the entrance area. It very much looks perfect for a late Victorian Library. Camerer Cuss were just around the corner on Oxford Street at Number 56 and we could guess that they supplied the clock and looked after it over many years. The entrances to the building are flanked with two Corinthian Pilasters. The clock shows two pilasters either side of the 14 inch dial with carved Capitals and quarter carved panels around the dial. We think the wood is Red Walnut. It has a substantial ‘fusee’ movement of 8 day duration and the dial is the original with signs of wear and tear, but beautiful. The rear of the dial has Camerer Cuss writing and the words Town Hall scratched in. Circa 1880.

Huge Gillett & Johnston 18 Inch Wall Clock

Paul Williams — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:26:01 +0000

An enormous 18 inch dial regulator wall clock in excellent condition. With a sweeping second hand, large roman numerals and outer minutes around the dial, this clock is particularly rare. It is signed Gillett & Johnston of Croydon, a known maker and bell foundry, established in 1844. Made around 1890, the single fusee movement has been fully overhauled, along with fine quality mahogany case and huge glass door over the dial, making this an especially impressive timepiece.

JN Jones 8 Inch Wall Clock

Paul Williams — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:26:00 +0000

A particularly attractive 8 inch wall clock with ‘chisel base’ in mahogany, with a nicely coloured flame veneer and good quality enamel dial, signed JN Jones, 338 Strand. JN Jones is recorded as maker and retailer of clocks and watches from 1863-1869, however there are watches signed and hallmarked from 1851 and long after. This good and quite rare wall timepiece was likely made circa 1880. With original single fusee movement fully cleaned and restored, and case in such excellent condition, this is an investment quality clock.

Early ‘Wooden Convex’ Trunk dial Wall Clock

Paul Williams — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 10:29:27 +0000

A fine and quite rare 14inch dial wall clock with an interesting history. We recently purchased this and another clock from a customer in London who worked at Holborn Town Hall. A little of the history…This wall clock hung in Holborn Town Hall which is a beautiful building at 193-197 High Holborn and in the French Renaissance style built in 1879. The building was originally a Library and we know this clock was in a small room off the entrance area. It’s a late Georgian clock circa 1810. Camerer Cuss were just around the corner on Oxford Street and we could guess that they either supplied the clock or looked after it and restored it over the years. Holborn town hall was moved to a more ‘modern’ 1970’s style building opposite King’s Cross Station and the beautiful building near the end of Oxford Street was sold to a private company. You can view the Old Town Hall on Google maps. The clock or timepiece ( as it’s not a striking clock ) is one of the best we have ever offered for sale. The movement has been fully overhauled and the case tidied and waxed. A point of note is the very domed dial and matching convex glass. A fine example of the classic ‘trunk’ dial wall clock.

Verge – De Mayne of Woodbridge

Paul Williams — Thu, 12 Jan 2023 10:34:35 +0000

A good original George III silvered silvered brass dial clock with verge escapement, dated c.1790. The 14-inch dial is finely engraved with De Mayne Woodbridge, Roman hour numerals within a single line minute track and Arabic 5 minutes. The dial surround is extremely fine and has the classic 'Ogee' shape turned into it. The concave-section bezel is hinged to the right, and has a latch to the left. The mahogany case with salt box back having a shaped base to secure to the wall and one side door to gain access to the pendulum. 8-day fusee timepiece movement, the tapered plates with bulbous knopped pillars. It has a verge escapement, Original period fine steel hands. After a little research Anthony De Mayne of Woodbridge was also a Royal Navy Officer and Master on H.M.S Kangeroo. We have also downloaded a few supporting documents. Further pictures pictures to follow.....

J.Beckett of London

Paul Williams — Sun, 08 Jan 2023 11:05:58 +0000

An interesting early wall clock by the maker J.Beckett of London, this is a transitional ‘dial’ clock with a pegged back box and anchor escapement instead of ‘Verge’. The clock still retains the Salt Box shaped lower apron, shaped cast bezel, silvered, engraved dial and original shaped fusee movement on a gut line. The overall appearance of the clock is very good, the mahogany case has good colour, the glass is convex, the dial has been carefully restored back to a silvered finish and the movement has been fully overhauled in our workshops (on site) and as you can see from the ‘close up’ pictures.
There is a J.Beckett of London recorded working circa 1700. The J.Beckett who made this clock would have been working circa 1790, it’s difficult to know if this could be the same J.Beckett or maybe the son ? We have a few more books to research . Circa 1800-1810.

Verge – John Thorne of London

Paul Williams — Fri, 20 May 2022 11:06:42 +0000

A good original George III silvered silvered brass dial clock with verge escapement, dated c.1790. The 12-inch dial is finely engraved with JOHN THORNE, LONDON, with Roman hour numerals within, and Arabic minutes outside the minute track. The dial surround has a fine chevron, boxwood and walnut line inlay, quite subtle and very pleasing. The concave-section bezel is hinged to the right, and has a latch to the left.

The mahogany case with salt box back having a shaped base to secure to the wall and one side door to gain access to the pendulum. 8-day fusee timepiece movement, the tapered plates with bulbous knopped pillars. It has a verge escapement, with pendulum retaining clip on the back of the movement. Original period blued steel hands.

Early Convex Trunk dial

Paul Williams — Wed, 04 May 2022 09:31:52 +0000

An extremely early fusee ‘trunk’ dial wall clock (timepiece) William Purser was working from 1780 and he would have made this circa 1800. The case is constructed of a Cuban mahogany and has the original wax finish. The lower trunk door is held with a lock and key. The brass bezel has a wonderful profile and is fitted with what looks like the original convex glass. The bezel lock was removed some time ago but has been fitted with a more reliable latch! The restored dial shows Roman numerals and outer Arabic’s. The hands are rather special too, a period design and both original. The proportions are perfect, allowing for a longer flat brass rod pendulum.

Convex Dial – Watkins of Chepstow

Paul Williams — Wed, 13 Apr 2022 15:13:37 +0000

William Watkins was born in January 1826 and became a clock maker in the town of Chepstow, Monmouthshire, Wales. This fine clock with a wonderful 12″ convex dial and original blued steel hands has a substantial fusee movement in quite a unique shape. The Mahogany case is well preserved and has two side doors and the lower convex door held with a lock and key. The cast brass bezel is the original and held with a latch. The photos really don’t quite get across how attractive this wall clock is. If you can pop in to our shop and see this in real life …we don’t think you’ll be walking out empty handed!