Gilbert Regulator No. 11 Restoration

 This Gilbert regulator was manufactured in 1891.  It came heavily caked with dirt.  The dial has been eaten by bugs. The case was falling apart and much of the top cornice was missing.  Naturally, it didn't run.

A catalog drawing of how the clock originally appeared.

The clock is now restored to its original beauty. The cornice has been rebuilt using walnut and cherry and stained to match the rest of the case.

The faux perch has been cleaned, restored and reattached. Gouges have been removed and the finish brightened to it original luster.  The broken door latch has been rebuilt.

The bug-eaten dial has been replaced with a custom dial that has the same manufacturer's mark as the original.

Now as when it was first made, it keeps good time and has a beautiful chime.


   

Gilbert 1891 Mantel Restoration

This Gilbert mantel clock, made in 1891, is an imitation marble clock. Most of its agate columns were missing and the case was spattered with paint. Attempts at repairs of some of the gouges and chips had been attempted as you can see in the brown patch on the front lower-left corner of the case.  The works (removed in this picture) needed to be overhauled, which is not unusual for a clock of this age.

Here is the same clock restored and in working condition.  The splattered paint has been removed and the gouges and chips have been repaired.  Column capitals and plinths were cast and painted to replace the ones that were missing.  Because manufacturing agate columns was going to be cost prohibitive, the columns were replaced with a spalted hardwood. The columns were stained amber and lacquered to resemble marble and complement the gold leaf in the case.  The remaining agate columns were set aside to be returned to the owner.

Before & After

Sometimes, fixing a movement (the inside mechanical part of your clock) is the easy part of clock repair. Many times we see clocks that have been left in attics, garages, basements, or storage buildings. These clocks may have the finish pealing off. The finish is often fused with dust, turning it nearly black. It may be missing veneer or the case may be falling apart.

Our approach to case restoration is to make the clock look like it has been well-cared-for but not restored. We never want to make the clock look like it just came off the assembly line at the clock factory. That would ruin its historical value; plus it has earned that patina and deserves to keep it.

before

That said, some clocks are in such desperate condition that their historical value has already been compromised. If part of a case has to be manufactured in order to complete the clock, we can handle that. We always make every effort to “do no harm” and keep your clock as historically accurate as possible.

This is a Sessions Home No. 1 clock, manufactured in 1919. The finished was dirty and pealing off. The clock’s perch was missing. The crown had been removed and placed underneath to form a base of sorts. The movement was very dirty and it did not run.

after

In restoring this clock, we put the crown back on top, manufactured a new perch, put a period decal on the glass door, replaced the dial, and restored the finish. Of course, we cleaned and regulated the movement, and now it tirelessly serves the purpose for which it was made.

This is an example of a clock at the extreme end of restoration. Hopefully, all your clock needs is a cleaning and a waxing. In any case, we will always consult you, provide our opinion, and give you options before any restoration.

Lenzkirch Regulator

This is a Lenzkirch regulator (like a Vienna regulator but from Germany).  We estimate it was manufactured in the 1880’s.  Most of the work is this project was on the case.  The left and right top cornices were missing and it had a lot of damage to its paint and finish

The enamel dial was cleaned and hands straightened.

The rococo corner, though still cracked from age, now has fresh black paint.

The bottom finial was missing most of its paint as well as some of it wood. Now completely restored and painted.

Much of the rococo was missing paint. Fresh black enamel is missing sections improved the clock’s appearance.

The left and right cornices were missing. This is the new one, stained to matched the original finish.

A replacement of the left missing cornice.

Ansonia Hands

This was a manufacture job for an Ansonia clock. The original brass minute hand (on the left) was broken. I used the original hour hand (on the right) as a pattern and made a new minute hand (middle) and antiqued it to match the hour hand.

Ingraham Gingerbread Clock

This poor clock was knocked off of its perch during a kitchen remodeling project.  The fall was so severe that the movement fell out of the case.  The glass door was broken, the top was nearly snapped off, and the dial looked like it had been run over by a truck.  It was a family heirloom so we were very happy to save it.

 This is an 1905 Ingraham Gingerbread clock that fell off its shelf – with a vengeance! The glass door is in a plastic bag – no point in showing you a pile of broken glass.

 The movement had already been “uninstalled” from the case. In fact, you could have poured all of it parts out of the case onto the floor. Come to think of it, that already happened.

The gingerbread top; practically broken in two. With only 3/8″ thickness, this is a challenge.

The dial looks like something out of a Salvador Dali painting.

Almost finished! The case is mended and the movement is being tested.

A detail of the final product of the gingerbread top. No sign of past trauma.