Dugena Mantle Clock

-
Dugena Mantle Clock with Arabic numerals
 This Dugena mantle clock is my newest clock acquisition.It is an art-deco style (should that be capitalized) bim-bam clock, so named because it has 3 strike rods with hammers striking each one. One rod strikes one rod while the two others strike simultaneously immediately after the first strike resulting in a very pleasant strike.

Up until several weeks ago I didn't know anything about the brand save that it was made in Europe, A little research revealed that Dugena was a co-operative and simply a brand that was made to accommodate many German movements. There may even be a Hermle movement in this particular clock although I have to say that that would be a big guess. Hermle would be reasonably good quality but being a co-operative there might have been any movement from the period, which I am guessing would be the 50s.
Possibly a Hermle movement
 The clock is not perfect. There must be something wrong with the strike train because it will strike randomly and often for 40-50 times. I did notice when I first got it that the strike spring was wound very tight; it could be unloading its power causing it to strike as it does.

The case itself is in good condition. I did notice a significant build-up of grease and grime which I removed with Sunlight soap. Sunlight soap is a great de-greaser and it had no difficulty lifting the grime and revealing a nice shiny finish. The face is also in good shape and need just a little cleaning. The movement itself looks okay at first glance but I do not see any evidence that it was ever lubricated.

Otherwise the clock is a little fast but that can be easily adjusted. While it does not have a pendulum this one has a balance wheel which can be pushed either way to speed or slow down the clock.
An attractive face
I won't take it apart yet. I am waiting for my first clock repair book to arrive so that I can use this one to tinker on. I might just take it apart and use it as my test clock.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Seth Thomas Round Top Mantel Clock

-
Image
Seth Thomas Dome clock I wrote about this clock a few months back and at that time it was only running for a couple of days. I was pretty happy with my purchase since I had picked it up at a junk / antique store just about a 1/2 hours drive from here. It has, in fact been running wonderfully for several months now. It's a bit idiosyncratic in that despite being an 8-day clock it does not like being wound right down because the count wheel for the strike gets confused and strikes the hour on the half hour instead. Could be it needs some adjustment. Keeping it wound without it stopping has proven to work. It also ticks quite loudly but it is in our dining room and certainly not intrusive in that location. It has been oiled and seems to runs just fine. The walnut case is in excellent condition and a good rubbing with Murphy's Soap has virtually restored the cabinet. I make it a point not to redo the clock finish if it has minor nicks and scratches. I have an assortment of
Read more

Seth Thomas Gothic Beehive Mantle Clock

-
Image
Seth Thomas Beehive Mantle clock circa 1928 This is a Seth Thomas Gothic beehive mantle clock. The face has Henry Birks & Sons inscribed on it and obviously the company contracted the clock out to Seth Thomas at that time. The movement is an 89AL which was used in a variety of clock between 1922 and 1928 so I would put this clock at around the 1928 period. There is a little plaque inside the back access door giving the reseller location which in this case is Amherst, Nova Scotia. I has been running all day now and I am just waiting to see whether it gains or loses time. I will know in about 24 hours. The beat is good but the clock chimes the hours on the half hour which is obviously not supposed to happen. It means a minute hand pin adjustment once I know that the clock can run steadily. As is typical of these old clocks there was a lot of dirt and grime on the finish. Rather than take the dramatic step of refinishing the clock it is far easier to take a good cleaner, in my
Read more

Photography Rant – Is It A Rant Or Just Some Observations?

-
Image
Panasonic G6 with 45-175mm zoom On my last holiday trips outside this country I was surprised to see so many people using cell phones to take photos. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised, the world of technology is changing and changing very rapidly. I was also equally surprised to see so few people using cameras and most of what I saw were larger DSLRs (I am a mirrorless user myself). Some were even using their iPad which in and of itself is rather amusing to watch. Cell phones have virtually hosed the lower digital camera market and must be a blow to the bottom line of camera companies who saw much of their profit in these small entry level cameras go out the window in recent years. So, along comes the cell phone, the new Kodak Instamatic.  If you are into a phone contract as most people are you might as well take advantage of as many features of the phone as you can and that includes taking photos and immediately posting them for all the world to see. Cell phones have opera
Read more