NAWCC Chapter 168 Meeting of Sydney members June 2006

 As usual, some interesting 400-day clocks were brought along to our show-and-tell.  This time included colourful examples from Jahresuhrenfabrik from the 1928 to 1935 period.  Six different colours were displayed, Red, Vivid Blue, Pale Blue, Purple, Salmon Pink and Orange.  We don’t know whether these comprise the full set or whether there were other colours made.  They certainly make a wonderful collection.

Each backplate had the JUF double elephant logo with the Purple and Vivid Blue (which also has a presentation medal dated 1931 on the crest) also having the word Germany,.  Only one suspension guard had survived amongst the six clocks.

The enameled dials appear to have a machined surface underneath to give an enhanced effect.  The delicate hands were either blued or brass to get the best contrast for reading the cascading Arabic numerals. The columns are attractively striped, some with fancy capitals. The balls are also coloured.  Only the Purple example had adjustable pallets, all the others fixed.  Other minor differences were also observed.  The crests appear to be of a metal like pewter.  These all await restoration.

Jack Percival brought along some of his miniature examples with 3 ball pendulums, one having been in a fire – lots of work restoring that one.  A Kern brought along by a guest, Jo, turned out to have bent escape wheel teeth, requiring a complete restoration job.

Members also bring along problem clocks, this time with examples of bent teeth and loose anchor pin.  The various methods to correct these faults were discussed.  Doug Minty and Lindsay Bramall covered the theory of beat setting with anchor and pin pallet escapements. 

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