French Clock

[Tony DePasquale]

Hello,

My 17 year old special needs son collects clock, for the past year. He us up to 50. This is his latest be bought
for $30 at a show, bought it hoping it would work. We got it home and the pendulum keeps topping after 2 min. The clock hand works, it winds well.

Just looking for some history, how can I keep the pendulum moving. If I need it serviced, will it
be worth the money.

Also, any idea what the numbers on the white sticker mean that I found in the bottom of the clock.

F2

• Tony DePasquale
• Nov 11, 2019

F3

• Tony DePasquale
• Nov 11, 2019

F4

• Tony DePasquale
• Nov 11, 2019

F5

• Tony DePasquale
• Nov 11, 2019

F 1

• Tony DePasquale
• Nov 11, 2019

 

[bruce linde]

check out the photo... the first arrow points to the horizontal pins on the suspension spring... the pendulum is supposed to hook on there.

the second arrow points to the hook at the top of the pendulum... the prongs need to be brought closer together so they just fit around the suspension spring and stay hooked on the hooks.

the third arrow points to the crutch forks... once properly hanging, the pendulum would go between the crutch forks.

 

[Tony DePasquale]

OK I will try moving them closer. I also read that the clock needs to be very level?

 

[JTD]

any idea what the numbers on the white sticker mean that I found in the bottom of the clock.

These numbers are probably the original retailer's stock numbers and/or price code. They mean nothing to anyone today. But the label looks as if it might have been there from day one, so it's a nice bit of history.

Your son looks to have gotten a good deal for $30.

JTD

 

[bruce linde]

OK I will try moving them closer. I also read that the clock needs to be very level?

kind of, but no... more important that the clock is 'in beat'

check out this thread: Beat Setting 101

 

[JTD]

OK I will try moving them closer. I also read that the clock needs to be very level?

Fine, but you need to do the other things Bruce pointed out as well. Hang the pendulum from the right place and make sure the pendulum rod is between the forks on the crutch.

JTD

 

[bruce linde]

btw, mechanical clocks need to be serviced regularly... every 5-10 years... as oil and other lubrication can dry out or get sludgey, dust gets in, parts wear, etc. if you don't know when it was last serviced, it needs it.

 

[bruce linde]

Fine, but you need to do the other things Bruce pointed out as well.

i see those as words to live by... perhaps you could tell the folks in my band?

 

[Tony DePasquale]

Any idea the the cost to service it? Is it worth to put money in? Since I only paid $30?

 

[gleber]

Welcome to the message board!

That's a very nice looking and well made looking clock. We can't discuss values in this section of the message board, but there is another section where you can ask. Back on the front page, under the blue section, you should see, "What is this CLOCK worth." Without saying what I think it is worth, I can say I would snap that up fast for $30.

Prices for service work these days can run higher than the value of many clocks. The best thing to do is search for local service / repair shops and talk to them about it. There are local listings for NAWCC members, so check their credentials and references. Talk to more than one.

What level of experience and aptitude do you and your son have? What kinds of clocks are in his collection and are they working? Do you and / or he plan to learn more about care and repair? With a growing collection of 50, I would say you almost have to unless you can afford a live-in repair person.

Bruce has made some good suggestions regarding issues noticed from the photos (don't tell him I said that or his ego will only grow more). I suggest you remedy those and post another photo for confirmation. Regarding level and the beat. Start with it level. The beat must be even (same interval between the tick and the tock). If it is not, follow the instructions in the Beat Setting 101 link provided above. For that movement, you would bent the crutch to set the beat. It looks like is has an S bend in it now, so you might want to straighten that first (my OCD is showing). Be gentle. If you are uncomfortable or unsure, ask here or you may need to find a local repair person.

Feel free to ask for more details or assistance (that's what a lot of us are here for) and I hope you can get it running. We'd all love to see more of his collection.

Tom

 

[bruce linde]

again, it depends... on whether there are any broken or worn parts, who you take it to, etc. my clock mentor will service french movements for me for $50 to $150... depending on what's needed. but we do a lot for each other.

i would suggest finding a clock repair resource near you and building an on-going relationship... especially with 50+ clocks.

as for this one... it's a time-only (whereas most are time and strike), but i kind of like that. it's an attractive clock and over 100 years old. imho, yes... you should service it and keep it running. i view us as caretakers rather than owners. just one opinion.

 

[bruce linde]

(don't tell him I said that or his ego will only grow more)

no room for more ego... can barely fit the clocks!

 

[Tony DePasquale]

Thank you for the information. We are very new to this. I would say about 30 of his clocks are not very valuable, just your everyday wall hanging clocks, he has 2 cuckoo clocks and 2 Grandfather clocks and a few other more valuable. He just loves any types of clocks, my wife and myself are helping him purchase more valuable ones. I have a few projects clocks we are working on together also. I am very handy with mechanical and electronic equipment. So we are all learning together. As you can see by his smile, clocks make him happy!

Here are some of his clocks.

Thank You again!

 

[Tony DePasquale]

Yes Bruce, I agree on being a caretaker. We will just move slowly and get them serviced when we can. The best of all this, is that it it now a family Hobby, we go to meetings together. I have an older son who joins us also.

 

[new2clocks]

Thank you for the information. We are very new to this. I would say about 30 of his clocks are not very valuable, just your everyday wall hanging clocks, he has 2 cuckoo clocks and 2 Grandfather clocks and a few other more valuable. He just loves any types of clocks, my wife and myself are helping him purchase more valuable ones. I have a few projects clocks we are working on together also. I am very handy with mechanical and electronic equipment. So we are all learning together.

Here are some of his clocks.

Thank You again!

View attachment 556707 View attachment 556708 View attachment 556709 View attachment 556710 View attachment 556711 View attachment 556712

Welcome to the board, Tony!

You have an absolute steal on your French clock at $30. You should have it serviced - French clocks are usually well made, have high decorative appeal and your clock seems to be in very good condition.

"Beehive" clocks, such as the one your son is holding in front of the "Gold Room" sign, can also be very collectible. Perhaps you could provide more pictures of your beehive clock and we can tell you more about it.

Clock collecting and repair can be obsessive and addictive (in a good way) and very satisfying. We are here to help answer any questions or comments you may have, so don't be shy in asking!

Again, welcome.

Regards.

 

[Tony DePasquale]

Thank you Very much. We are members of the NAWCC Chapter One group. We just went to the York PA regional and had a great time. My son loves it. I will post photos of the other clock you mentioned. Would love to teach him more about it.

 

[Kevin W.]

Thats great you are involved with your sons in the clock hobby. I wish my dad would have done such a thing. I have seen nice running French clocks sell for a low 40 Canadian. You have a nice French clock.

 

[jmclaugh]

A very nice, attractive French marble clock and a bargain at $30, it is great to see someone so young interested in clocks. The movement is in need of a service but it may well still run ok once set up. This type of movement is called a pendule de Paris and they are very well made though can be tricky to get in beat and if they aren't they just stop, not much leeway. One way is to loosen the screws on the back which hold the movement in place and then very slightly rotate the dial from the front to the left or right until it is in beat then tighten up the screws. The clock also has fine regulation of the pendulum through a small arbor at twelve o'clock using a small key which is very useful as removing the pendulum on these clocks to adjust the length isn't too easy.

The best reference book on these clocks is Thorpe's The French Marble Clock which is available second hand for not very much.

 

[rmarkowitz1_cee4a1]

Hello,

My 17 year old special needs son collects clock, for the past year. He us up to 50. This is his latest be bought
for $30 at a show, bought it hoping it would work. We got it home and the pendulum keeps topping after 2 min. The clock hand works, it winds well.

Just looking for some history, how can I keep the pendulum moving. If I need it serviced, will it
be worth the money.

Also, any idea what the numbers on the white sticker mean that I found in the bottom of the clock.

Honestly, not a major fan of marble/slate cased clocks. But this one I REALLY LIKE!! The wonderful small sized case with malachite (the green stone) inlays with gilt incised decoration really make for a rather attractive clock. Condition looks wonderful. These stone cases often get chips, white patches, etc. The porcelain dial looks to be free of any major hairlines or chips. Original "Breguet" style hands (I think that's what they're called). NICE!

Also really like the beehive he's holding.

That young man has a great "eye"!

So good to see a young person taking an interest in antiques especially clocks.

Happy hunting.

RM