Shelf Clock Case
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 Michael C Fina WOODEN FIFTH AVENUE DESK CLOCK Quartz Movement  US $4.95
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 Oak Wall Clock Case Empty Case305 x 11 x 6 US $13.15
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 Fairfield Mechtronics Moon Phase Planters Folk Art Clock US $23.00
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 Jerome Co Two Tone Mantle Clock US $245.00
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 ★ VINTAGE 1959 HOWARD MILLER LIGHTED WORLD TIME ZONE CLOCK ★ WOOD MANTEL CLOCK US $200.00
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 ELEGANT ART NOUVEAU BRONZE FINISH OVER SPELTER WIND UP SHELF CLOCK FROM LUX CLOC US $135.00
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 Vintage NEW HAVEN shelf Mantle clock 8 day with Key parts repair restore US $19.99
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 ANTIQUE INGRAHAM SHELF MANTEL CLOCK ROSEWOOD DOUBLE ROUND US $99.99
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 8 Day Bentima England Oak Case Shelf Clock US $59.00
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 Vtg Bradley Wind up Musical Alarm Clock Western Germany Works Great Nice US $9.99
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 VINTAGE SESSIONS CLOCK TWO TONED WOOD CASE MODEL 3 W US $14.99
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 Vintage Sessions Self Starting Retro Wood Case Shelf Clock US $12.99
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 ANTIQUE MANTEL SHELF CLOCK CASE PARTS REPAIR US $9.99
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 New Haven Octogon Top Shelf Clock US $125.00
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 SESSIONS ANTIQUE MANTLE CLOCK ORIGINAL SUPERIOR CONDITION LOOKS RUNS GREAT US $56.00
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 Atkins shelf clock case excellent shape US $22.99
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 LARGE AND HEAVY ANTIQUE ART DECO MARBLE MANTEL CLOCK WITH PAIR OF GARNITURES US $1,410.00
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 VINTAGE 1930 ENGLISH ART DECO WESTMINSTER MANTEL CLOCK BY JOLISSON WALNUT US $370.00
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 CLOCK OGEE SHELF JC BROWN 1800S US $250.00
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 ANTIQUE FRENCH SILK STRING SUSPENSION MANTEL SHELF T S FARRIER SCENE CLOCK US $99.99
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 Vintage Mantel Clock Ginger Kitchen Clock US $69.99
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 ANTIQUE GINGERBREAD MANTLE KITCHEN CLOCK VINTAGE WELCH SHELF CASE US $9.99
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 ★VINTAGE TELECHRON 4505 4F05 WOOD MANTLE CLOCK ART DECO NOUVEAU WORKS★MAHOGANY★ US $29.99
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 1960s Table CLOCK Cream Color Battery operated US $6.99
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 NEW HAVEN MISSION OAK CLOCK US $50.00
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 ANTIQUE WATERBURY CYCLONE RADIUM ALARM CLOCK WINDUP PEG LEG PARTS STEAMPUNK US $24.99
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 Antique Shelf Mantle Clock US $120.00
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 Rare Antique Kienzle shelf clock US $1,400.00
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 BULOVA CARRIAGE ANNIVERSARY PENDULUM SHELF CLOCK WORKING US $9.99
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 SETH THOMAS INLAID CABINET CHIME NO 61 1921 ANTIQUE WESTMINSTER CHIMES CLOCK US $310.00
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 SETH THOMAS PROSPECT 17 1917 ANTIQUE GOTHIC ARCH FINE INLAID CABINET CLOCK US $132.50
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 New Haven model No 3147 black wood shelf clock with 4 faux columns color brown US $70.00
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 ANTIQUE SETH THOMAS SHELF MANTEL CLOCK 1897 BEAUTIFUL BUTTERSCOTCH COLOR US $283.00
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 Vintage Kundo Electronic KieningerObersfell Made in Western Germany No battery US $20.49
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 WATERBURY 8 DAY SPRING STRIKE KITCHEN SHELF CLOCK US $199.00
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 Nice Beehive 8 Day Shelf Clock by New Haven Clock Co US $180.00
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 VINTAGE HADDON ANIMATED NOVELTY KITTEN CAT CLOCK MOVING EYES TAIL DATED 1951 US $169.99
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 Star Wars R2D2 C3P0 RARE PRISTINE Talking Alarm Clock W Box WORKS Listen 156 US $179.17
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 Antique Gilbert Mantel Mahogany Shelf Clock 1913 US $125.00
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 ANTIQUE FRENCH ART DECO MANTEL CLOCK GARNITURE SET 3 PIECES YELLOW MARBLE US $930.00
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 Vintage Wood Case Bulova Germany Quartz Captain Seadog Ships Shelf Clock 7 NR US $7.16
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 Solid Walnut Clock Mantle Case Handmade Artisan Mid Century Howard Miller Era US $22.00
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 Shelf Mantle Clock 1937 Westclox Ben Franklin Art Deco Vintage Antique US $30.00
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 ANTIQUE INGRAHAM MAHOGANY DUPLEX NO2 SHELF CLOCK WORKS NEEDS TLC NO RESERVE US $25.01
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 ANTIQUE 1920S DARK WOOD CLAWFOOT MANTLE SHELF CLOCK NEEDS TLC GREAT FOR PARTSNR US $20.50
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 Book on Seth Thomas Sonora Chime Clock Models Research Article US $8.99
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 VERY RARE ANTIQUE WATERBURY DANCY BLACK EBONIZED 8 DAY MANTEL SHELF CLOCK EXC NR US $45.00
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 VINTAGE DANBURY CLOCK COMPANY MANTEL OR SHELF 7 1 2 TALL US $12.99
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 HOWARD MILLER MANTEL SHELF WESTMINSTER CHIME CLOCK US $9.99
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 EXC VINTAGE SETH THOMAS 0858 SPEED READ BATTERY FLIP CLOCK LARGE SIZE MANTLE US $75.75
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 GILBERT KITCHEN PARLOR CLOCK DIALSee My Other Gilbert Items Up For Auction US $9.99
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 ANTIQUE GILBERT 8 DAY KITCHEN PARLOR CLOCK MOVEMENTParts Restore Ca1890 US $16.50
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 Seth Thomas Shelf Mantel Clock A206 011 US $25.00
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 VINTAGE SETH THOMAS ELECTRIC SHELF MANTLE CLOCK ELECTRIC CHIMES WOOD CASE NR US $19.99
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 Vintage Lux Novelty Shelf Clock Liberty Bell US $1.04
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 Vtg United Vintage Wood Small Grandfather Type Shelf Electric Clock Working US $4.99
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 Antique Steeple Mantel or Shelf Clock Sharp Top Gothic Ansonia Gong Watch Parts US $69.99
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 Rare ANSONIA POMPEII Figural Antique Clock Mantel Shelf Serviced US $697.50
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 Ingraham Kitchenette 3 Eight Day Time and Strike Shelf or Mantel Clock US $49.99
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 VINTAGE CLASSICAL 8 DAY BLACK MANTEL CLOCK INGRAHAM US $460.00
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 VTG LANSHIRE PORCELAIN HANDPAINTED SIGNED BUBBLE CONVEX GLASS MANTLE SHELF CLOCK US $24.99
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 VTG BULOVA BRASS ENGRAVED FRONT CARRIAGE SHELF MANTLE DESK CLOCK MADE W GERMANY US $24.99
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 English Regency Double Fusee Bracket Clock US $300.00
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 English Regency Double Fusee Bracket Clock Movement Mowat of Bath US $300.00
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 ANTIQUE 19thC FRENCH KEY WIND MANTEL CLOCK W VENEER INLAYED CASE US $99.99
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 Seth Thomas Antique Round Top Beehive Time Strike Chiming Clock w 48R Movement US $26.01
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 Fantastic English Regency Fusee Bracket Clock Pendulum Vulliamy US $50.00
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 VINTAGE E INGRAHAM BLACK WOOD MANTLE SHELF CLOCK Repair or Parts US $15.00
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 Nice Linden Electronic Strike Mantel Shelf Clock 7011 US $24.95
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 VINTAGE MANTLE CLOCK MANTEL SHELF PARTS OLD COLLECTIBLES US $9.99
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 SETH THOMAS PILLAR SHELF MANTEL CLOCK WOOD CASE FLOWERS REGULATOR CHIME RARE US $99.95
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 CARTIER ATMOS LE COULTRE SHELF CLOCK 15 JEWELS 13615 as is case US $610.00
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 Antique Seth Thomas Adamantine Mantel Shelf CLOCK circa 1900 for Restore Parts US $31.00
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 GREAT EARLY UNUSUAL CHAUNCEY JEROME SHELF CLOCK8 DAY US $79.99
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 Westclox Table Shelf Alarm Wind Clock Fancey Face with Butterflies and Vines US $15.00
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 Vintage SETH THOMAS Kitchen Mantel Clock With Alarm Runs Highly Detailed US $150.00
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 Wood Works Movement Circa 1825 1835 US $49.00
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 HINGED WOOD CLOCK BOOK STYLE ROSE CARVING EUC BATTERY 5 US $14.99
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 Vintage Seth Thomas Buckingham electric mantel clock with wooden case US $20.00
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 Antique Waterbury Conn Shelf Mantel Clock Key Wind Late 1800s or Early 1900s US $31.00
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The Gilded Sonnerie
It was a carriage clock and quite magnificent. Huge for the type, it stood fully 10 inches tall. It was dated 1826, found engraved on the base. Typically French, it was of the highest horological art form, the levers and detentes of the movement pierced out and shaped in swirling, whirling patterns of aesthetic delight.
It was what's called a grande sonnerie, or great strike. It would strike the hours on a bell, and then the quarter hours on a little gong. For instance, at quarter past seven, it would strike seven times on the bell, and then once on the gong. At half past, another seven and then twice on the gong and so on. It had a perpetual calendar, which I confess had given me considerable trouble, an alarm mechanism which was easy, and also it was a repeater. A little button at the top of the case could be depressed, which would act on a plate under the case and the previous hour and quarter would be struck.
Repeaters, now, are anachronisms, merely fascinating adjuncts. These days, we have digital clocks that light up and can be seen when we roll over in bed at night, but in those old days, the repeater was very necessary.
The case was gilt, with fluted columns, and wonderfully executed flowers and leaves surrounding them. The handle at the top was a circular wreath that folded when not in use.
I'd removed the movement from the case very carefully, had serviced and cleaned it with proper concern for its condition. It belonged to a gentleman who possessed a fine clock collection, and this was his latest acquisition. He didn't actually tell me how much it cost, but he did say that the bidding had been fierce. He'd purchased it from one of the smaller houses in Paris, Artcurial, and ascertained in advance that the clock didn't work. It had probably sat on someone's shelf for a hundred years; all the oil hardening in the pivots and bearings. Now, though, it was back to its former glory - except for one silly little fault. It struck all the hours perfectly, except when it came to 12 o'clock. It struck 13 times! 1 to 11, no problem at all, then with the hands showing 12, that wretched count of thirteen.
I was being paid handsomely for this restoration, and there was no hurry on the job, but it was just one of those silly little faults that nag at you. No-one had 'butchered' the movement, thank goodness, so nothing made sense. I pulled every trick in the book, and some that weren't, but to no avail. I spent a whole day trying to puzzle out the problem. There was an answer, there had to be, but for the moment it eluded me.
I'd set my workshop in what had been the attached car port of the house. I decided to call it a night at about 9 o'clock, walked up the three steps into the kitchen and thence to the drawing room. I poured myself an excellent single malt and absently watched television in an effort to take my mind from the problem. The whiskey did its work, and I went to bed at about eleven.
I slept fitfully for about an hour, then awoke and twisted and turned until around two in the morning. Something more than idle curiosity drew me to the shop. It was as though I had to go. I can't explain it, but I slipped on a shirt and trousers, made my way through the kitchen, reached the steps leading to the shop - and stopped dead. I shivered involuntarily. An ethereal green light drifted around the bench and the spectral figure of a man was standing behind it, holding the movement of the clock upon which I'd been working.
He wore a smock and a shapeless beret. He raised his head and looked at me, a slow smile drifting across his face.
"Je la fabrique, M'sieur," he said in a gentle voice.
He was the maker of this masterpiece. I knew that instinctively. He placed the movement back on the bench with infinite tenderness, and suddenly I felt incredibly tired. Nothing mattered except sleep. I turned, shuffled off to bed and slept until 9 o'clock that morning. I leaped up, showered, shaved and went straight into the shop. There was the movement where he'd left it. I tried the strike. One, two, all the way around to eleven. Then the final test. Another thirteen? But no. Twelve o'clock. My nighttime visitor had come to repair his own.
I'd always been happy in the shop, but now it held a sort of added comfort, as though the old clockmaker was still watching over me from beyond the veil. .
About the Author
I'm a 70 year old Englishman, a retired clockmaker, who's lived over here in the U.S. for 26 years. I enjoy writing, and reading espionage novels and historical works
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