A "lever movement" uses a balance wheel instead of a pendulum to control the escapement, similar to a mechanical watch. This type of movement was most often used in novelty, boudoir, and alarm clocks.


"Chic"

Maker: Ansonia Clock Co., New York
Built: c. 1920
Case: Cast metal, gilt

A pretty little novelty clock. Orignal finish.


"Carriage Extra"

Maker: Ansonia Clock Co., New York
Built: 1894 - 1920s
Case: Nickel-plated brass

This clock has a very sophisticated movement with both an alarm and a rack-and-snail strike mechanism. One of these days, I might break down and clean up the stain on the dial.

Maker: Ansonia Clock Co., New York
Built: c. 1890
Case: Nickel-plated brass

Here's something you don't come across too often. The alarm on this carriage clock is a music box! It plays "America" (My Country Tis of Thee). Or, for the British market, in which Ansonia was quite active, it plays "God Save The King." I'm certain Ansonia was keenly aware of the trans-Atlantic marketing possibilities when they picked this piece. The music box has all the wonderous tone qualities you'd expect from something made entirely of tin and glass. In other words, yechh!

Maker: Ansonia Clock Co., New York
Built: 1895 - 1914
Case: Cast metal

Here's an interesting variant on the carraige clock. The movement is identical to "Carraige Extra" above, but the case is a metal casting of some very interesting and ornate carving -- take a look at the full-size picture! The dial on this clock might be a little too perfect -- it may have been redone, but if it was, they did an excellent job.

Maker: Ansonia Clock Co., New York
Built: 1920's
Case: Cast metal, bronze finish

The Apex alarm was an interesting departure from traditional design for Ansonia. There is no glass on this clock, and the dial is an part of the case casting. The movement has some interesting features, too. It's an eight-day alarm, and the maximum length that the alarm will ring is controlled by a lever on the back. The internal mechanism for this resembles a record player. A disk with a spiral groove is engaged by a "needle." The lever on the back determines where the needle starts "playing" on the disk. When the alarm goes off, the needle rides in the rotating disk until it reaches the end, at which point the alarm is shut off and reset.


(model unknown)

Maker: New Haven Clock Co., New Haven, CT
Built: c. 1930
Case: Cast metal, bronze plated

This is a spectacular novelty clock. I re-wired the lamps, but otherwise this clock is completely original. I'd love to find out the name of this beauty.


(model unknown)

Maker: New Haven Clock Co., New Haven, CT
Built: c. 1930
Case: Cast metal, bronze plated

Here's another spectacular novelty clock. This one has a lamp as well -- it's inside the clock so the the crescent moon and stars on the globe are illuminated.

 


(model unknown)

Maker: (unknown)
Built: c. 1930
Case: mystery mineral

This clock is made of an interesting mineral and I'm pretty sure it's not a man-made substance. If you can identify it, please let me know! I replaced the dial on this little gem -- the original dial was completely unreadable.

Return to clock index page