An excellent and very rare example of a 21 inch tall light-house clock by Guilmet, dating circa 1880. The lighthouse is part of Guilmet’s maritime collection from the industrial series of novelty clocks. The clock is constructed in 3 parts. The light house tapers as it reaches the lens room. The clock has a silver surface with a brick etched pattern. There are several applied brass windows around the bottom two sections. On the base just above the brass color is a rectangular clock face with roman numerals. The clock face is framed with a molded doorway like design. The clock face near the bottom has two winding ports. The middle section has a brass color at its base and there is a second color at the top just below the lens room. The top section or lens room has a detailed railing or fence around the outer perimeter. Mounted inside the fence is a glass cylinder flanked by four brass posts which support the doomed brass roof. There is a ball finial at the top of the roof which supports a weather vane with two crossed arrows. There are three sections of glass inside the glass cylinder which are red, green and clear. When the lens room rotates it gives the appearance of a working and flashing lighthouse. The clock has two winding posts, one provides the power for the clock and the other for the rotating lens room function for eight days. The clock movement runs eight days and has a bell striking mechanism that strikes on the half hour and the appropriate rings for the hour. (CL0654)
Note: The French firm founded by André Romain Guilmet made a series of clocks with industrial and maritime themes between c.1875 and the 1910s. Many of his case designs celebrated the accomplishments of the industrial revolution.
These lighthouse clocks can be found in the book, Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks, by Derek Roberts. This clock is illustrated both on page 257 and 268. Page 257 also illustrates other models of lighthouse clocks. The caption for this clock reads "Guilmet No. 1246. A Torsion Pendulum Lighthouse Clock. Circa 1885. The bell striking movement, which has a Brocot escapement , employs a helical spring torsion pendulum suspended from the the top of the tower and decorated with colored glass to simulate the light. Note: The French firm founded by André Romain Guilmet made a series of clocks with industrial and maritime themes between c.1875 and the 1910s. Many of his case designs celebrated the accomplishments of the industrial revolution. These lighthouse clocks can be found in the book, Mystery, Novelty & Fantasy Clocks, by Derek Roberts.
Condition: The clock was restored a few years ago and is in outstanding condition. Typically almost all of the surviving lighthouse clocks suffer from some type of problem especially with the finish.
Note: The French firm founded by André Romain Guilmet made a series of clocks with industrial and maritime themes between c.1875 and the 1910s. Many of his case designs celebrated the accomplishments of the industrial revolution. Guilmet was renowned for his craftsmanship and mechanical knowledge, and his workshop was located at 103 Rue du Faubourg-Saint Martin in Paris. In 1861, he founded Guilmet & Cie, his own clock-making company.
Condition: The clock was restored a few years ago and is in outstanding condition. Typically almost all of the surviving lighthouse clocks suffer from some type of problem especially with the finish.
Condition: The clock was restored a few years ago and is in outstanding condition. Typically almost all of the surviving lighthouse clocks suffer from some type of problem especially with the finish.
Dimensions: Height: 21 Inches, Diameter of base 8 Inches