Sold – It's About Time

8″ Wall Clock by Boatman of Grays

Paul Williams — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 15:14:29 +0000

A fine small wall clock / timepiece, dating to around 1910, retailed by Boatman of Grays. What sets this clock apart from a lot of others is the beautiful patination of the dial (please see close up images). The overall size of the clock is pleasing as the dial only measures 8″ across. The clock is manually wound and runs for a week. The case is a polished hardwood, possibly Beech. It has a lovely mechanical tick. Perfect for almost any interior.

Charles Frodsham – Pendule D’Officier

Paul Williams — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 10:01:37 +0000

An extremely rare carriage clock or ‘Pendule d’officier’ with one of the finest cases we have ever seen. These were made from the early 1800s through to 1910’s and this one dates to around 1914. Running for a week on a full wind, and having the symbol of eternity, the snake consuming itself for the handle. The dial on the clock is excellent, hand painted with swags of flowers between the numerals and small gilt flowers joinng them. Wonderful gilt highly detailed hands, signed by Charles Frodsham of 27 South Molten Street, London. Charles Frodsham was established in 1848 ( after a partnership with John Arnold ) Born on the 15 April 1810 – 11 January 1871 he was a distinguished English clock, watch and chronometer maker establishing the firm of Charles Frodsham & Co, which remains in existence as the longest continuously trading firm of chronometer manufacturers in the world ! The case is constructed of French Oak then covered in a red Tortoiseshell style resin veneer, inlaid with brass stringing and edging and having ormulu mounts. Sold with our 24 month guarantee.

Porcelain Panelled Carriage Clock

Paul Williams — Wed, 08 Nov 2023 15:54:58 +0000

An extremely fine and rare mid 19th century French ‘repeating’ carriage clock with an enamelled top, side panels and matching dial. The porcelain is from the Sevres (Billancourt) area of Paris and decorated beautifully with jewelled borders and painted with flowers, flying songbirds, and classical romantic garden scenes. The classic Cobalt blue borders work extremely well against the contrasting gilt case. Jewels on the front and sides being fully intact and the paintwork unmarked. Bell striking 8-day movement with original lever escapement and push repeat feature. These enamel style carriage clocks are quite rare and highly sought after, this example being a rather nice entry point into the market . This clock is shown fully restored, Sold with a 24 month RTB guarantee.

British Ship’s Clock

Paul Williams — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 14:30:27 +0000

A nice 8-day British ship’s clock in a cast brass case. This clock was made for use at sea and would’ve been screwed into a large yacht. The case has aged quite well with the dial faded to a nice cream petina. The dial shows Roman numerals, with a sweep subseconds hand and regulation just below the 12 hour mark. Most likely made by Smiths of Enfield around 1950.

Finnigans ‘Madelaine’ Carriage Clock

Paul Williams — Wed, 12 Jul 2023 10:47:57 +0000

A fine and quite rare carriage clock retailed by Finnigans circa 1890-1910. In all the 43 years of restoring antique carriage clocks we have only seen one of these. This design is one of the rarest and in our opinion a true classic. The arched dial is silvered and has the classic ‘engine turned’ decoration. The hands are the traditional moon pattern and blued. The movement is gong striking and key wound from the rear. The case is constructed of solid cast and gilded brass. It’s also quite large which adds to the appeal with this shape. Finnigans established in the 1830’s by Brian Finnigan, an Irishman descended from Brian Boru, the king of Ireland in the high Middle Ages. He was the son of a seafarer, who spent summer months sailing off the coast of Newfoundland. In 1851, Finnigans gained international recognition when the house won a gold medal for craftsmanship at Prince Albert’s Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace.In 1879, William Finnigan opened a Finnigans shop at 18 New Bond Street in London. Soon, American millionaires such as the Rockefellers, the Vanderbilts and the Fords joined the house’s customer base. Finnigans also sold clocks, watches, and silverware.
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Omega De Ville Tank

Paul Williams — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 10:53:51 +0000

An attractive rectangular Omega watch measuring 34mm in length and 23mm in width without the crown. The rare bronze-beige coloured dial matches well with the gold baton hour indices and hands, making for a very nice looking watch. Some small scratches to the glass. Reference 111.016, serial number 22,980,937, dating it to around 1965.

Exceptional Giant Carriage Clock – J.W.Benson

Paul Williams — Tue, 04 Apr 2023 13:20:22 +0000

A particularly elegant example of a giant carriage clock, made by Drocourt and retailed through J.W. Benson circa 1900. It is rare to come across a giant carriage of such fine quality, and this timepiece is in excellent condition with a beautiful gilt finish. The original enamelled dial is signed J.W. Benson, Ludgate Hill, London, with large Roman numerals and outer minutes of typical Drocourt style. The movement is stamped DROCOURT, hidden between the plates and the Oval logo to the rear. As with all of our clocks, it has been cleaned and restored, and the exceptional condition of the movement can be seen through the bevelled glass panels, along with the beautiful large top quality platform escapement, J.W. Benson had a thriving business with Alfred Drocourt throughout the late Victorian period and into the Edwardian period, and this clock is one of the best examples we have seen from this partnership. Interestingly the springs on this clock are signed A.D 12/02, the signing of clock springs was usually carried out by the person who assembled it. Alfred Drocourt would have enjoyed assembling this ‘Giant’ in 1902!

Zenith 24hr Wall Clock

Paul Williams — Wed, 15 Feb 2023 09:26:18 +0000

A twist on the traditional dial clock. This timepiece was made by Zenith (the famous Swiss Watch manufacturer) and features a superb quality Swiss, 18 day movement with a center winding position and domed dial made from what we think is Oak but could be Beech! It’s a hard to tell. This example is roughly 13″ size and has the addition of a 24hr dial within the 12hr chapter ring. Mainly Heals retailed these clocks (timepieces) from the 1930’s to 1960’s and they have become quite collectable in recent years. With brass numerals and hands and supplied with a winding key.

Omega Speedmaster – Limited Edition

Paul Williams — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 12:23:01 +0000

This is the ‘First Omega in Space’ Limited Edition of the classic early Speedmaster. It was produced to commemorate the 50 years from when Wally Shirra, in 1962 wore the ‘first’ Omega Speedmaster in space during the Sigma7 mission as he navigated around our planet. It was his very suggestion that NASA supplied astronauts with chronographs for further space missions and that started with the Gemini program. These are no longer available (a limited edition) and are becoming a modern classic. This model also has the domed sapphire crystal which is a bonus for every day wearing. The dial features a lot of the early style with raised logo and longer hour indices. A great watch with all boxes, cards, outer boxes and hang tag. this was made in 2020 and reference number 311.32.40.00.01.001 measuring 40mm across the width as per original reference.

William Comyns

Paul Williams — Sat, 24 Dec 2022 11:35:47 +0000

A fine and small William Comyns timepiece. The beautiful ‘mock’ tortoise shell case with bun feet and shaped handle gives the clock a timeless design. The handle, hinge, bun feet and bezel are all solid silver and 9ct gold plated. The clock retains the original outer leather covered case which is in good but slightly distressed condition. This has obviously led to the little timepiece being protected and having survived in remarkable condition.