Horological Meandering

Hi all,

I find myself in the position just at the moment that the "next" watch in the collection, and therefore the only one that I really covet (a PT Lange Datograph) is outside what I can justify spending this year, and therefore it must wait until next. Sigh...

However, it has been a barren year so far and I am therefore currently trying to decide on a clock to console myself and was hoping for advice. I hope this doesn't sit too far outside this forum's remit - it is a horological issue, after all.

I want a skeleton clock, with a high level of finish, in a relatively "modern but classic" style (so glass bells and 19th Century pieces are probably out) but also with a focus on the mechanical (that is, not overly decorated/painted). Budget is under £12.5k/$25k or I might as well spend the extra on a second hand Lange (and yes, I know I might as well anyway). Lastly, for some unreasonable reason I just don't like Great Wheel clocks.

Given these criteria, which don't seem too onerous to me, I seem to find myself with very few options. I've checked the various AHCI members and scanned the web and not much seems to come up.

David Walter seems very well regarded but his only series produced clock looks to be a great wheel clock (see below, photo from David's website). It is the nicest GW clock I've seen, admittedly, but the price is also a little high so far as I can tell:

Next up, Matthias and Sebastian Naeschke have an interesting looking piece that SN posted on this site (see below) but the price is too high for me on my budget

Thirdly, Sinclair Harding seem to be a possibility; as well as being British, I've seen an example of their Great Wheel clock in Wempe in London and it looked well put together. Their 'Hers grasshopper' could be an option (photo below from their website):

Lastly, I've found a firm called Comitti (again British) whom I've never heard of. Their 'grasshopper' (see below, from their site) is cheaper than the SH and I like the aesthetic design better but I've no idea what reputation they have or how well engineered or finished the movement is

So the questions are: (1) am I missing an obvious clockmaker and (2) if not, does anyone have views on Sinclair Harding and Comitti in particular? Or should I just give up on the modern and buy at auction? I'm happy to wait for the right piece and/or have it custom made.

Any thoughts/comments welcome.

Thanks,

simon

BUT, maybe you should go and see some nice realizations made by JLC with the Atmos Clocks...

There are some which are really stunning!

Even if I have to admit that those you showed in your post are magnificient, and true pieces of Art!

Best.

Nicolas

its made by Jaeger Le Coultre who are experts in clock making, it never needs winding as it winds itself using barometer bellows and it looks fabulous.

during the London Get together, Simon, manager of the JLC boutique actually stated that IHO the best one to buy was the base model in Laquered brass as it fits anywhere and with any decor.

Looking at your price range, you can buy one off the shelf at a JLC shop and still have lots of money left over.

if you want to go loopy there are several different versions including one by Marc Newson which is inside a hand blown glass case.

i love clocks, but winding them is a right pain so the Atmos has made life worthwhile.

take our advice and take a good look at one.

Graham

I have an Atmos clock

True it never need winding and all was well for the first 6 years

Subsequently it will have to go back to the JLC workshop every 2 years

as it will somehow stop and refuse to move

JLC cannot say for sure why this happens

So I have my reservations about this piece...

I have talked to a man who has no less than 4 JLC Anniversary Atmos

clocks as well as other models but even he( an expert on 400 day clcoks)

cannot figure it out.

DENT, The company responsible for Big Ben, has a line of clocks in addition to watches.  I have seen some at my AD here in Los Angeles and they look great.  I believe that Dent clocks are very in limited series and hard to get. I am considering a JLC ATMOS since I am a huge fan of JLC and find the idea of barometric pressure for powering the mechanicals fascinating. Hope this helps. -MW

Have you checked out Erwin Sattler in Germany?
They have both wall and table clocks and the quality is great.

You want to check out the English pages of their German website, the Sattler USA site does not have their whole offering.

Good hunting !
Don

 

even though I find the Atmos very interesting Erwin Sattler is incredible clocks. Must be seen in the metal.......

kind regards

COD

Erwin Sattler produces clocks of very high quality with the best materials.

Famous for precision regulators with Riefler pendulums( esp their Secunda Accurata clock 1958 with

free Strasser escapement) .

They also make mantle clocks,Vienna regulators as well as floor standing long case cloaks.

Their clocks are really built to last  into the next century.

I doubt if they make the kind of clock that you are looking for.

 

This message has been edited by VPREGULATOR on 2008-07-17 06:20:26

If you are looking for clocks you should try NAWCC

I know because I am a member and I collect  mainly Viennese precision regulators.

They have a lot of experts on every kind of clock.

Pardon me for saying and I stand corrected: Most of the clocks with the Harrison's grasshopper

escapement are usually made in China.

I had the bad experience of getting a clock with duplex escapement only to see it break down within

6 months of purchase. All because of inferior axles, pinions and gears.

My clock had a fusee cable attachment and believe me the winder sucks.

So please get the necessary certification that the clock is not made in China if you do not want any

future headaches.

.... Comitti and Sons is a rather traditional London-based manufacturer. I have one of their cheaper mantle-clocks, that is equipped with a French movement. The wooden casework of these clocks is one of Comitti's strengths, and is superior to many other similar clocks I have inspected.

Their classic clocks, like the Grasshopper you showed, are technically very well-made, but cannot compete with the finish of the Sinclair Harding clocks. Yet they are a lot less expensive ...

Best regards,
Marcus

From 1951, 100% original, an extremely rare iteration due to the combination of it being rhodium plated and the regulator knob facing towards the FRONT of the clock. I think JLC only did a small run of these front facing regulator knobs, so when you cross that with the uncommon rhodium plated, and further cross that with the Atmos II movement, and look at the all-original excellent condition, well I have NEVER seen this exact JLC Atmos permutation, and I've watched more than 5000 Atmos e-B*y auctions. If you look closely at the second picture, you can pick up part the adjustor knob. The closest I've seen is a permutation where the 3 and 9 were "horizontal", not "vertical".

It was fully serviced in the last two years, and keeps very accurate time.

mine seems slightly different as it has a glass panel at the front that comes out rather than the whole top coming off.

nt