Beat Scales?

[Joe Gargery]

Simple curiosity has lead me to ask this question.
I've noticed that beat scales were used in many styles of wall clocks but they never seem to appear in gingerbread clocks or glass front grandfather clocks. Is this correct or have I just not been exposed to enough clocks over the years to have seen them used in other styles?
A thorough internet search of Google images for anything but a wall clock with a beat scale comes up empty.
So were they only used for a clock that was hung on a wall which could be tilted or off center, where a mantle or floor clock wouldn't be.
Joe

 

[wisty]

You often get them on longcase regulators. For example

A VERY FINE REGULATOR LONGCASE CLOCK – THOMAS PORTHOUSE – MAKER TO THE ADMIRALTY – LONDON – The Clock Work Shop

www.dorsetantiqueclocks.co.uk

https://www.antiques-atlas.com/antique/a_mahogany_regulator_longcase_clock_c1860/as731a035

 

[Joe Gargery]

Thank you wisty. I had not seen this style clock before.

 

[MQ32shooter]

Virtually all of my American wall clocks have beat scales along with 2 of my floor models. The English Astro and Scottish Drumhead both have beat scales and were built in the 1850’s.

 

[Willie X]

Pretty much just on wall clocks.
It's mainly ornamental. Willie X

 

[new2clocks]

I agree with Willie X.

It seems that the more visible space (i.e., on the back board) a clock has the more likely you will see a beat scale to help fill that visible space.

From a functional perspective, I have found beat scales to be a guide, not a technological innovation to ensure precise timekeeping.

Regards.

 

[Bernhard J.]

Beat scales in precision pendulum clocks often are not fixed, but adjustable, and calibrated in angle seconds, so not merely decorative. I agree that in most cases they are decorative, i.e. if they are fixed and have arbitrary scales. Although they then still can be used just as well for observing the amplitude angles.

 

[bwclock]

Simple curiosity has lead me to ask this question.
I've noticed that beat scales were used in many styles of wall clocks but they never seem to appear in gingerbread clocks or glass front grandfather clocks. Is this correct or have I just not been exposed to enough clocks over the years to have seen them used in other styles?
A thorough internet search of Google images for anything but a wall clock with a beat scale comes up empty.
So were they only used for a clock that was hung on a wall which could be tilted or off center, where a mantle or floor clock wouldn't be.
Joe

Here are a couple of floor clocks in my place with beat scales. The first by Ludwig Wirth, Wien has a glass door. The second one by Handley & Moore, London has a solid wood door.
Bruce

 

[MQ32shooter]

Nice clocks Bruce

 

[Joe Gargery]

I feel like I've been living in a cave.

 

[Joe Gargery]

Virtually all of my American wall clocks have beat scales along with 2 of my floor models. The English Astro and Scottish Drumhead both have beat scales and were built in the 1850’s.

View attachment 760887

shooter, is it just an illusion, or does the back wall of this case have a fabric covering?

 

[Ralph]

In a perfect world, the stopped pendulum pointing at the center of the beat plate could indicate the clock is plumb.

Ralph

 

[Willie X]

Even then most will have a terible parallax problem ...
Ha Willie X

 

[MQ32shooter]

shooter, is it just an illusion, or does the back wall of this case have a fabric covering?

View attachment 760942

Yes sir it does have a fabric covering. The Scottish does too. I have no idea why. I’m sure someone on the Message Board can shed some light on it. Honestly, I never even thought about it.

 

[bruce linde]

In a perfect world, the stopped pendulum pointing at the center of the beat plate could indicate the clock is plumb.
Ralph

the beat plates in strasser & rohdes are mounted on wood blocks that can slide left and right so you can zero out the beat plate when the pendulum has stopped. these were photo'd in motion....

 

[Joe Gargery]

Yes sir it does have a fabric covering. The Scottish does too. I have no idea why. I’m sure someone on the Message Board can shed some light on it. Honestly, I never even thought about it.

I don't think I've ever seen a clock with the cloth back before. It looks sharp!

 

[MQ32shooter]

the beat plates in strasser & rohdes are mounted on wood blocks that can slide left and right so you can zero out the beat plate when the pendulum has stopped. these were photo'd in motion....

View attachment 760963 View attachment 760961
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Beautiful clocks Bruce!

 

[Schatznut]

the beat plates in strasser & rohdes are mounted on wood blocks that can slide left and right so you can zero out the beat plate when the pendulum has stopped. these were photo'd in motion....

View attachment 760963 View attachment 760961
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Dang it, Bruce, there you go giving me a bad case of clock envy again!

 

[tarant]

Gustav Becker, SN 1000000, floor clock.

 

[MQ32shooter]

Gustav Becker, SN 1000000, floor clock.

View attachment 761114 View attachment 761115

Wow, beautiful Becker floor model.

 

[Joe Gargery]

Yes, it certainly is!

 

[Bernhard J.]

the beat plates in strasser & rohdes are mounted on wood blocks that can slide left and right so you can zero out the beat plate when the pendulum has stopped. these were photo'd in motion....


View attachment 760962

And the scale in this case is calibrated in angle minutes