Pons mantel clock

[LEAD.HOFFMAN]

This has been in my family since the mid 1800's. It's very large and has great detail. the stained glass inside is intact. It is in need of restoration but appears complete. the inscription on back is Pons. on what appears to be original stand. It's very large, bronze and heavy. Any information about this would be greatly appreciated. It is a family relic/heirloom and not currently for sale but I have no idea of the value that I should insure it for. Any suggestions? I hope that I can learn a little about this from more knowledgeable sources. Thanks in advance. Please contact me directly for more pics. Thanks View attachment 189967

 

[LEAD.HOFFMAN]

Re: Pons mantel clock, looking for information, circa? etc......

inscription on the back of the movement is pons, all glass is intact and it is very large, heavy and appears to be solid brass. the stand appears to original and possibly held a very large dome but I'm unsure of that. there is what appears to be a chime inside the stand.

 

[Burkhard Rasch]

Congrats to that verry fine clock.From the pics-which aren´t too detailed-I´d guess it contains a french Pendule de Paris-movement,which was one of the finest industrialy produced mvmts. ever.Please show a macro shot of the back of the mvmt. with the bell taken out,and we can help You id the maker.And BTW . Wellcome to this message board of clock and watch enthusiasts!
Burkhard

 

[LEAD.HOFFMAN]

Congrats to that verry fine clock.From the pics-which aren´t too detailed-I´d guess it contains a french Pendule de Paris-movement,which was one of the finest industrialy produced mvmts. ever.Please show a macro shot of the back of the mvmt. with the bell taken out,and we can help You id the maker.And BTW . Wellcome to this message board of clock and watch enthusiasts!
Burkhard

Burkhard, Thanks for the information and timely response I'm an extreme novice when it comes to clocks. I do have a great appreciation for them but I don't know a whole lot. I hope this pic helps. Thanks again, Richard

 

[eskmill]

Honore Pons was one of the earliest suppliers of the "pendule de Paris" round movements and the developer of the movement style. Pons is credited with developing the clockmaking industry in the Saint-Nicolas d'Aliermont area.

Your clock is a very early example of the craft and it is especially unique.

The message board is grateful for the excellent photo of Pons' logo. It is rarely seen because most of Pons production was in the form of the ebauche or kit and supplied with only a serial number to finishers.

 

[LEAD.HOFFMAN]

Much thanks, I'm excited to find any and all information that I can on the clock or model itself. I apologize for the duplicate listing in the general discussion arena and in this one. Please excuse me and sorry for any confusion. I thought the other arena may apply more after I had already posted in here. Therefore, It's a duplicate. It won't happen again. What do you expect the date of production? It's much larger than other Pons' that I've seen online, does that add to the "unique" aspect of this piece? If I were to have it restored to functional condition, assuming all pieces are present, where would you recommend? Thanks

 

[Burkhard Rasch]

mvmt. is in a rough state and desperately needs a complete overhaul.As the premier quality of these mvmts. is extra fine it´s well worth and rewarding to have it restored allthough it might cost You $$$.It´s a job that any professional repairer would do.Maybe there is a local chapter of the NAWCC near You to recommend a trustworthy clocksmith.
Burkhard

 

[Steven Thornberry]

Re: Pons mantel clock, looking for information, circa? etc......

I have merged the two threads on this clock and deleted some unneeded posts along the way.

 

[harold bain]

Re: Pons mantel clock, looking for information, circa? etc......

It's too bad your ancestors didn't take better care of this clock. It is restorable, but it might be costly. Looks like there are parts missing (pendulum and crutch), and the rust showing indicates moist storage. The clock is likely close to 200 years old, and deserves better.

 

[LEAD.HOFFMAN]

Re: Pons mantel clock, looking for information, circa? etc......

No rust there fellas, as stated, it's all brass. All parts are present including pendulum. The residue you see is from a previous cleaning my grandmother did. All parts are brass, therefore, no rust is present anywhere. Other than the wood stand.

 

[LEAD.HOFFMAN]

Re: Pons mantel clock, looking for information, circa? etc......

no electrolysis either. It's just dirty

 

[harold bain]

Re: Pons mantel clock, looking for information, circa? etc......

No rust there fellas, as stated, it's all brass. All parts are present including pendulum. The residue you see is from a previous cleaning my grandmother did. All parts are brass, therefore, no rust is present anywhere. Other than the wood stand.

There have to be steel parts in the movement, for instance all the arbors holding the brass wheels, and any screws. The crutch has been broken off and will be a difficult, but doable fix. Whatever your grandmother sprayed into the clock to "clean" it likely did more harm than good.

 

[LEAD.HOFFMAN]

Re: Pons mantel clock, looking for information, circa? etc......

To say that it deserves better is spoken out of term. I'm grateful that it survived the marauding yankees as they sacked all of the southern plantations. It was painted, as I was told and hidden to avoid being taken by the northern forces. My grandmother is the one that removed the black paint and tried to bring it back to life. Since her passing 20 years ago, it has sat patiently upon my shelf. It's condition may improve over the next years but I am grateful to have it in general and I appreciate all cordial information that this sight has offered. Nothing has ever been sprayed, it was applied by rag and hand.
Thank you much. Richard

 

[jmclaugh]

Re: Pons mantel clock, looking for information, circa? etc......

Blimey that is some case with an early silk suspension Paris de pendule movement which deserves restoration.

Honore Pons arrived in Saint Nicolas d'Aliermont around 1807 and set about improving the efficiency of the production there as at that time clockmakers made a complete movement from start to finish. He introduced new machinery and the specialisation of workers and by 1819 the guild he set up, the Fabrique d'Horologers de Saint Nicolas d'Aliermont, won medals at the Paris Exposition for unfinished movements and Pons also had his own company which won awards.

Movements produced in the region were said to have been as good as or better than any in France though the volumes were much lower. For example one of Pons' successors Augustin Croutte estimated the total production of clock movements in France in 1847 was 100,000 of which Saint Nicolas made only 14,000 which explains why you come across them so infrequently. After Pons retired the use of his name continued for some time thereafter. He is sadly a rather neglected figure in French clockmaking.

 

[harold bain]

Re: Pons mantel clock, looking for information, circa? etc......

To say that it deserves better is spoken out of term. I'm grateful that it survived the marauding yankees as they sacked all of the southern plantations. It was painted, as I was told and hidden to avoid being taken by the northern forces. My grandmother is the one that removed the black paint and tried to bring it back to life. Since her passing 20 years ago, it has sat patiently upon my shelf. It's condition may improve over the next years but I am grateful to have it in general and I appreciate all cordial information that this sight has offered. Nothing has ever been sprayed, it was applied by rag and hand.
Thank you much. Richard

Sorry, Richard, if I come across as being harsh, but it does pain me to see such a magnificent clock in such a state of disrepair. Often well intended owners cause more harm than good treating such restorations as a do it yourself project. Only a clockmaker who is a talented restoration expert can save this clock now.

 

[LEAD.HOFFMAN]

Re: Pons mantel clock, looking for information, circa? etc......

recommendations?

 

[harold bain]

Re: Pons mantel clock, looking for information, circa? etc......

If you are looking for someone qualified to restore your clock, contact your nearest NAWCC chapter and ask them for recommendations for repairmen in your area.
http://nawcc.org/index.php/chapter-information/find-a-chapter-near-you

 

[shimmystep]

Re: Pons mantel clock, looking for information, circa? etc......

This is just splendid. Fabulous case and Pons movement. As a big fan of French movements I've been looking for a Pons movement for myself.

Just to add a little info to the already great info Jonathon has given you

Info from N Thorpe...

Also known as Pons de Paul, died 1857. Sent to Saint Nicholas-d'Aliermont in 1807 by the French Minister for Clocks and Watches to give the local horological industry a boost. Pons founded a guild called Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Saint Nicholas. The name Pons was also used by his successors Delepine & Cauchy, though the makers mark style changed.

 

[Karriec123]

Re: Pons mantel clock, looking for information, circa? etc......

This is just splendid. Fabulous case and Pons movement. As a big fan of French movements I've been looking for a Pons movement for myself.

Just to add a little info to the already great info Jonathon has given you

Info from N Thorpe...

Also known as Pons de Paul, died 1857. Sent to Saint Nicholas-d'Aliermont in 1807 by the French Minister for Clocks and Watches to give the local horological industry a boost. Pons founded a guild called Fabrique d'Horlogerie de Saint Nicholas. The name Pons was also used by his successors Delepine & Cauchy, though the makers mark style changed.

Thank you guys I’m trying to find out as much information for my friend he will love this ! I