My new very cute little Italian Veglia Carriage Alarm Clock

[ClipClock]

I picked this up in an auction recently and have to admit I've fallen for it, its now a keeper!


After servicing its ticking like a champ. The alarm would wake the dead lol. As you can see its copper cased and has a nice porcelain dial. Excluding the handle its just 3 inches tall. Its a solid little thing with glass thats over 3 mm thick. The movement has decent thickness plates but just a pin pallet escapement

I've read that Veglia made/make car clocks and instruments but don't know much about them other than that. And nothing about them making clocks for homes. I'm hoping someone might have more information? Also any clues on the age would be interesting?

Heres a couple of pics of my new baby lol



PS Yes there is big glob of solder on the adjuster arm, its like an extra apendage. I can't see why its there or what it does, but hesitated to remove it as it didnt seem to be doing any harm (or good)

 

[Ticktocktime100]

Hi,
Indeed a very dinky little clock. I don't have much to offer about Veglia, sorry, but I know that they also made many kinds of alarm clocks, which I see quite often. Those I have seen range from the 1920's to the 1950's in date. I have never seen an example like yours, but I think it is certainly earlier, more like 1900's-1910's, 20's at the very latest.
Regards.

 

[shimmystep]

very nice lil' thing clip. It may have had a silver plating, gilt or such like, that has been polished away over time. Copper can be used for plating base. Any sign of such like on the case, handle etc?

 

[ClipClock]

Hi Shimmy, no I'm sure it was intended to be copper, even under the brass bun feet and handle fixings its copper.

I saw a slightly similar one (square rather than oblong) on ebay in the completed listings and that was copper too

Don't think its going to become my bedside alarm clock though, my nerves couldn't stand being jolted awake quite so rudely lol

 

[shimmystep]

Hi Shimmy, no I'm sure it was intended to be copper, even under the brass bun feet and handle fixings its copper.

I saw a slightly similar one (square rather than oblong) on ebay in the completed listings and that was copper too

Don't think its going to become my bedside alarm clock though, my nerves couldn't stand being jolted awake quite so rudely lol

Me neither. I hire tree frogs, a gently spoken gibbon and a bird of paradise to wake me up with sounds of the rain forest.

 

[Bill Stuntz]

Shimmy, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a "bird of paradise" actually a flower? If so, how will that wake you up?
And I'm not sure that anyone knows how to make a "gently spoken" gibbon. A normal one would probably be worse than that alarm. :cyclops:

 

[ClipClock]

Ha ha that made me laugh, loving the idea of the gently spoken gibbon

Right BED and my MODERN alarm clock, its after midnight!

 

[leeinv66]

Shimmy, correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't a "bird of paradise" actually a flower?

That's a flower named after a type of bird I believe Bill. Look Here

 

[Bill Stuntz]

Do I at least get 1/2 credit for knowing THIS? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strelitzia
I guess I should have taken the time to look it up. But I remembered the flower from the slides my parents took in their trip to Hawaii in the 1950's. Without the slides, I wouldn't have believed them when they told me it was a flower, not a bird. I think I was 7 years old.

 

[shimmystep]

1/2 point for the flora knowledge Bill
It takes time to get your gibbon just right, they must learn to resist their normal urge to boom and scream; to be replaced by gentle 'oo ooo's' and 'coffee and toast?'.

 

[Bill Stuntz]

I'll take the 1/2 point, but that's about the total extent of my floral knowledge. I HATE gardening, etc. If anything, I have a "brown thumb" instead of a green one.
I'm not much good as an animal trainer, either.

 

[Tinker Dwight]

There is a group of birds called "birds of paradise".
All have different flashy colored feather displays for
the males to attract females.
I have a dumb dog that will start barking in the morning,
when she hears the alarm. Not to good when you
decide to sleep in.
Tinker Dwight

 

[Bill Stuntz]

My knowledge of birds is just as limited as my knowledge of flowers.

 

[John Hubby]

I picked this up in an auction recently and have to admit I've fallen for it, its now a keeper!

After servicing its ticking like a champ. The alarm would wake the dead lol. As you can see its copper cased and has a nice porcelain dial. Excluding the handle its just 3 inches tall. Its a solid little thing with glass thats over 3 mm thick. The movement has decent thickness plates but just a pin pallet escapement

I've read that Veglia made/make car clocks and instruments but don't know much about them other than that. And nothing about them making clocks for homes. I'm hoping someone might have more information? Also any clues on the age would be interesting?

Heres a couple of pics of my new baby lol

PS Yes there is big glob of solder on the adjuster arm, its like an extra apendage. I can't see why its there or what it does, but hesitated to remove it as it didnt seem to be doing any harm (or good)

Clip, I once owned an identical clock to yours except it was completely nickel plated (over copper). The info I had at the time indicated it was from the 1920's, based on a couple of repair dates scribed into the inside of the back cover. Ran very well and I agree about the loudness of the alarm.

 

[ClipClock]

Thats really interesting John, I wonder if this one was nickel plated too, just absolutely no sign of it if it ever was. And must have gone a long time ago as the copper was extremely tarnished. Perhaps they sold it in more than one finish option.

Funny thing is I doubt I'd be keeping it if it was nickel, I really like the copper case.

Ah well its ticking along very nicely and looks cute so I'm happy