The London Grandfather Clock
An Oakside Classic Clocks reproduction of a "Christopher Gould of London" Original Longcase Clock - circa 1690.
The Origins of Longcase Clocks can be found in Brass Lantern or Birdcage clocks - these were hung on a wall, on spikes and later, on brackets! The pendulum arrived in English horology around 1660 and this dramatically improved time keeping but the early Lantern clocks had verge or crown wheel escapements and these required the pendulum to swing in a very wide arc making enclosure within a case impracticable! The anchor escapement invented in 1670 had an advantage over the verge in that it only required a narrow arc of pendulum swing and clock makers were now able to encase their clocks in tall cabinets – initially with movements taken from lantern clocks but by 1870, being built entirely as new clocks - these early clocks had simple square dials and usually a thirty-hour movement!
Square dials and hands were originally simple and functional but progressively both become more elaborate - hands becoming very ornate and dials increasingly adorned and with bold brass corner spandrels. The introduction of Eight-day movements eventually dispensed with the chore of daily winding although that was probably a task entrusted to the Butler – ownership of domestic clocks being the preserve of Royalty, Aristocratic Gentry and Wealthy Merchants etc. The square dial clock was eventually superseded by the development and introduction of the arch dial circa 1710.
The London Grandfather Clock is from the latter part of the 17th century – it is an Oakside Classic Clocks reproduction of a Christopher Gould original, circa 1695. We have faithfully designed the London to echo all of the best style & technical features that existed in clocks of that period including Barley Twist columns that support the Caddy Top Hood We have fitted an eight-day triple chime movement – all of the movements we incorporate into our clocks are of the highest technical quality with the best mechanical features – this will ensure perfect running with the minimum of attention!
The Cabinet - The cabinet is hand built in solid kiln dried Walnut, Cherry and Oak, with optional solid wood or glazed panels as requested. You can specify a natural, medium or dark finish on the Oak The cabinet is hand-sanded to a fine finish, we apply three sealing coats followed by five coats of top Lacquer, the lacquer is allowed to harden for two weeks before we polish the clock to a beautiful satin sheen. The final finish only requires an occasional dusting to maintain its lustre but as with all solid timber furniture – time and pampering will see a natural patina develop!
The Dials - We offer four Custom-made dials for the London
Option one is a traditional brass dial with an applied silvered chapter ring decorated with painted Roman numerals, a plain centre with a second’s dial and finished with raised brass spandrels.
Option two is a very special dial in polished solid brass with an applied silver plated chapter ring, decorated with traditional black Roman & Arabic numerals, it has an etched silver plated centre disk with a printed subsidiary seconds dial and the dial is completed with cast brass corner spandrels.
Option three has a silver chapter ring with Raised brass Roman numerals, etched brass centre decorations, cast brass corners spandrels and a subsidiary seconds dial. Option four has a silver chapter ring with Raised brass Arabic numerals, etched brass centre decorations, cast brass corners spandrels and a subsidiary seconds dial. Two selection levers on the Dial control the Chimes and the three melodies - Westminster, Whittington and St. Michael. You can select automatic night shut-off to silence the striking mechanisms between 22:15 and 07:15.
The Movements - The Kieninger KSU50 8-day movement plays three melodies Westminster, Whittington and St Michael on a twelve-rod gong – it has an Automatic melody sequencing mechanism that plays each melody for one hour and then changes to the next! To ensure accurate time keeping the movement has a Graham dead-beat escapement (invented by George Graham FRS 1674 – 1751), this impulses the Temperature Compensating Pendulum (invented by John Harrison of Longitude fame 1693 – 1776) and as with all superior clock movements, the time drive is fitted with a maintaining power mechanism to provide temporary drive to the pendulum while the weights are being re-wound. There is an automatic device fitted to ensure an equal sounding tick. The polished brass drive weights are suspended on cables and have traditional crank key winding through the dial - they drive the Chimes the Pendulum and the Melodies. A Maltese Cross mechanism is fitted to prevent accidental over-winding.
The optional Kieninger® HSU is the highest specification mechanical movement in the Kieninger range and it has been highly polished during assemble especially for Oakside. The movement plays three melodies – Westminster, Whittington & St Michael, on the quarters and chimes the hours - all on a twelve rod Gong. The HSU movement has 12 Rubies and 32 bronze bushes carrying the moving parts. The polished brass drive weights are suspended on cables and have traditional crank key winding through the dial and are protected from accidental over-winding by a Maltese Cross mechanism.
The three polished brass weights drive the Chimes, the Pendulum and the Melodies. To ensure accurate time keeping, the movement has a Graham dead-beat escapement (invented by George Graham FRS 1674 – 1751), this impulses the Traditional timber Pendulum and a brass Bob - you may specify the Compensating Pendulum (invented by John Harrison of Longitude fame 1693 – 1776) and as with all superior clock movements, the time drive is fitted with a maintaining power mechanism to drive the pendulum while the weights are being re-wound. There is also an automatic device fitted to ensure an equal sounding tick.
Manufacturing quality shows in every Kieninger movement. All movement plates are made of a special brass alloy that is hard and has a high tensile strength. The holes for the journals are reamed and smoothed after lacquering and then receive an oil sink. Pinions are made of high-quality steel or stainless steel. Fast turning pinions are hardened. All journals are roller burnished in a special process. The HTU and HSU movements feature thirty-two bronze-bushings and twelve jewels in critical positions. The gears are made of very tough and hard brass alloy with a tensile strength of 62 kp/mm². A high level of corrosion protection for all components is assured. Brass components are pickled and receive a coat of clear lacquer. Steel components are made from stainless steel or receive a galvanic nickel coating. Each movement also has a laser engraved serial number.
To ensure your complete satisfaction all Oakside clocks are run in our showroom for at least seven days prior to packing and dispatch! The clock will be delivered to your address fully assembled apart from the three weights and the pendulum – for safety these are removed and packed separately. Our shipping containers are custom made for each clock by a specialist packing company. Self-installation is straightforward although most clocks will require two strong persons to set the clock into position. We include an illustrated manual that details all operating procedures and it will also guide you through the installation – we are of course only a phone call away should you need further advice!
Height: 80", Maximum Width: 18", Maximum Depth: 14"
The price for a London including delivery from £ 5495 or EUR 6594.
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