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August 2008

The AGM was conducted at the August 2008 meeting. There were no elections since this only happens every 2 years. President Lindsay Bramall summarised the achievements of the past year, including numerous workshops, field visits and the special Electrical Horology course. Contributions to the year's programme by members were praised. Secretary, Greg Kelly and Treasurer Noel Lipscombe reported on the activities of the Committee and the state of finances, both healthy!

The meeting continued to enjoy a Film Festival with A Charles Chaplin film and Geoff Reczek 7 minute short. Of course Charlie Chaplin worked in a Pawn Shop, inspected an alarm clock for which the owner was asking $2. By the time Charlie has dismantled and worked on the clock it was worth nothing - so he declined the offer! Geoff Reczek's film concerned a man who died coincident with his clock stopping. Geoff was able to revive the clock with a sneeze and saved the man. Avant-garde? *

Max Osborne used his own drawings to talk about the letter "O" in horology as part of our alphabet series of presentations and was not guilty of Obfuscation! On display were Brille clocks and other members bring alongs, an interesting Mart, special afternoon tea and great cameraderie.

* Avant-garde represents a pushing of the boundaries of what is accepted as "normal"

Click here for the photo gallery

Our meeting on the 1st of June continued to reveal the talents in our Group. The Percival Brothers were to the forefront again. George had been working on a kit form street clock 10 feet high, powered by a time recorder movement. Jack on the other hand had a "train" clock where the wheels were powered by a Europa travel clock style of movement and run along tracks at the rate of one foot per hour.

President Lindsay Bramall showed some results from two recent auctions in Melbourne - Sothebys and Bonhams where some clocks recieved high prices whilst others were quite modest. He also displayed some 400-day clocks for which he had miniature versions, quite amazing. Our assistant librarian, Arthur Reid showed us the new book on Omega clocks and watches, a recent addition to our library.

Noel Lipscombe, our earnest Treasurer continued the alphabet series on the letter "N" of course. Searches with this letter in Horology proved significantly sparse but Noel did a good job from Ulysse Nardin, watch and chronometer maker to the uses for the metal nicklel in horology.

The main talk was on Bulle French battery operated clocks by Lindsay. With the number of electrical horology enthusiasts growing in the club, this may attract a few more.

By the way the Electrical Horology course is progressing well, having covered the tools needed, the components, testing and coil rewinding. We are now moving on to Motors!

2008 is off to a busy start with the commencement of the Electrical Horology course with 12 members showing lots of enthusiasm. Martin Foster enthralled us with his discourse on Swiss and Chinese watches at the February meeting. He had some marvelous slides of some very expensive watches for the very wealthy which surprised us all.

A wood restoration workshop included a demonstration by Howard Products Australia on methods of restoring clock cases. Greg Kelly covered marble restoration as well as wood and Doug Minty led a practical session on Marbling. About 25 members had a great day.

Seventeen members visited W J Sanders metal restoration factory to be enthralled with the quality of the work produced, especially the restoration of antique silver, gold and other plated antiques.

Visit the Gallery for some pictures of these events.

2007 finished with an excellent Christmas Party which was very well attended, lots of Christmas fare and a good time had by all. The visit to Euro Marble Company was also attended by the Sydney Clockmakers group which added to the pleasure of the day. Of course the International event at Darling Harbour was the highlight of the year and worth all of the hard work put into the exhibition and programme.

2008 is going to be another full year with workshops, visits and the Electrical Horology course (now fully subscribed). All this in addition to the full program of bimonthly meetings with news of events, information sessions on Clocks and Watches and of course our well stocked library. By the way, Arthur Reid has joined the Library team.

Check the Calendar Page the dates for events. Information is also available for Chapters 168 for torsion clocks and our friends in Canberra Chapter 182.

The Gallery is a bit bare for recent events due to a computer meltdown that took all the photos with it. These are still being recovered, so please bear with us as it's a very time-consuming process.

The "Time on Ship and Shore" regional at the Australian Maritime Museum in Sydney included some magnificent displays, and was a great success. More information (and photos) will be provided as soon as the photos are prepared for the website.

Chapter 72 would like to thank all participants, with special thanks to Carl Sona (Regional Chairman), Chapters 122 (Melbourne VIC), 104 (Brisbane QLD) and of course 182 (Canberra ACT). Without the volunteer assistance of the many who helped, the Regional could never been as excellent as it was. Thanks to all.

Thanks too to all those members who attended the regional - this no doubt boosted attendance by members of the public who visited the museum. Nothing attracts people to an exhibit better than seeing a large number of people gathered around.

The eight lectures over three days were very well attended, with an average of 60 people at each. This is an outstanding result, and if far ahead of the average for such events held elsewhere.

Although relatively small, the mart was also a great success. It too was very well attended, and the traders and collectors who bought or sold goods were very pleased with the results.

The AGM was held and a new committee appointed. Lindsay Bramall is our new President. A warm vote of thanks was given to Carl Sona, the outgoing President, for his leadership in many areas leading to better experiences for members.

After the AGM and election, the talks included a dissertation by Joy Percival on Frederic Japy and the successes of the Japy Freres in French clock making. Lindsay Bramall, Noel Lipscombe, Michael Smith, Richard Fawdry, Carl Sona and John Garske covered the field of watches in a series of excellent presentations. As is usually the case, the Mart, a raffle and hot tea made it a very full afternoon.

Be sure to visit the Gallery for photos of the afternoon's enlightenment and entertainment

August was a busy month with the AGM incorporated into our normal meeting and of course the annual members' auction. The auction was a great success as always, and there are some photos in the Gallery to what the appetites of those who missed it.

Both the Chapter 72 and 168 meetings were full of interesting presentations and information sharing between members.  The Chapter 72 meeting is always a full and varied program. This time we covered insurance for your collection and if you want to sell some of your clocks and watches, how this can be handled by the public auction houses. Some Chapter 72 pictures are available here, and for Chapter 168, click here.

Member's restoration projects are a great learning experience for all with the chance to ask lots of questions on the methods and materials used. The Gallery contains more information and some pictures.

The April meeting had 3 short presentations plus show and tell as the main features. A format which was very well received, where members present their favourite topics or restoration projects.

This time, three of our lady members got up to share their interest in horology, quite a special treat.

See some pictures by clicking here

The Chapter 168 torsion, 400-day April meeting exhibited a couple of unusual French anniversary clocks by Grivolas.

Click here to see some pictures

The March 2007 workshop was attended by about 20 members who enjoyed the instruction on dismantling, fault finding, repair and reassembly of striking and chiming clocks.  Surprising how many different designs exist, each with their own idiosyncrasies.  Very hands on with members bringing along their movements for discussion, analysis and "finding out the truth" about what they bought - lots of fun. Click here to see some pictures

Planning for the international conference is detailed below. Don't forget to register your expressions of interest to Noel Lipscombe by sending him the yellow form in your Newsletter.

Philippe Mesnage talked to us about longcase clock history and styles, commencing from 1660 and finishing 1860.  Click here to see some pictures.  Planning for the international conference is detailed below.  Don't forget to register your expressions of interest to Doug Minty by sending him the yellow form in your Newsletter.

The Chapter 168 torsion clock meeting always thrown up some interesting items.  See the pictures here of an unusual 400 day striking clock

Over 100 members attended our December meeting Christmas Party and various meeting topics, the main feature being on Adeline Patti and the Patti clocks.  See some pictures here  Sydney members of Chapter 168 discussed 400-day four glass "regulators" and the available publications on 400-day or anniversary clocks. See some pictures here

A very successful Regional, attended by Chapters 72 First Australian, 104 First Queensland, 122 Melbourne, Sydney Clockmakers and organised by Chapter 182 Canberra with Bairnsdale clock Museum.  About 100 attended the 3 day event and enjoyed visiting the East Gippsland town of Bairnsdale and Lakes Entrance.  There was a full program of tours of the museum and clock workshop, mart, lectures, dinners, craft show, mechanical music and a trip into the past at Glen's shed.

See some pictures HERE

Richard Fawdry took us on a virtual tour of the British Museum at our bi-monthly meeting.  An excellent PowerPoint presentation covered 500 years of clock history.  We all thought that Richard had travelled to London to get this information, but all was revealed at the end when he held up the book on the "Clocks of the British Museum"  Had us fooled he did!  Well done.

The Torsion Clock meeting studied a Badische clock for restoration and a Wurthner with a moon dial.  The theory behind pivot polishing and bushing was covered in the practical session.  See here.

Our annual auction for members to buy and sell for Chapter fundraising was very successful as usual, proving that the hard work put in by volunteer members over the months leading up to the event pays off.   It's always a fun day with snacks and plenty of advice available on what to buy.  All go home with new treasures of some sort, be it a complete clock or "restorer's delights."  More Here

The September workshop was a full day going through the theory of calculating and designing missing clock parts, from case adornments to missing wheels and pendulums.

Teas and lunches are served, all at a modest cost for an informative day workshop.  More Here

The AGM was held at our bi-monthly meeting in August, including reading of the accounts.  All is well.

There was plenty of time for the main topic of the day, Electric Clocks.  Lindsay Bramall covered the "Tiffany" NeverWind battery operated clocks popular in America in the early 20th Century.  A major problem with battery clocks is the quality and longevity of the battery itself, many a clock has been ruined by leakage.

Doug Minty gave a broad overview, including the influence of Luigi Galvani experimenting with frog's legs (after they croaked said Carl), Andre Ampere and Volta's pile (battery).  The first electric clock was attributed to Alexander Bain.  Read more about this in the October Newsletter.  Stan Boyatsis gave a short presentation on Dent.

Check out the Gallery for pictures of electric clocks  that members brought along the to the meeting.  Learn that there are main 3 types.

Don't forget Chapter 182 in Canberra meet on the month in-between chapter 72's.  Their  meetings are at the Irish Club in Canberra 1 to 5 pm.  Click here for details.

Pictures from the August meeting of Chapter 168 covering the development of the 400-day pendulum (a unique display) and practical lesson on re-lacquering clocks are also shown in the Gallery   For more information about Chapter 168 meetings click here.

Visitors to this page are encouraged to contact us if you have any horological needs or questions, just click on the "Submit Enquiry" link below and thanks for visiting.

Graham Mitchell
Meeting Location: Wentworthville Uniting Church, Sydney
When: First Sunday of the Bulletin Months Except Second Sunday in October

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Please feel free to contact us on any horological matter and we will endeavour to help.  No financial valuations however.

Graham Mitchell