Antique 11½” German Gustav Becker Oak Round Dial Mantel Clock (Chiming / Striker)

Summary:
• Circa: 1920
• Provenance: Germany
• Clock Maker: Gustav Becker
• Quality double brass barrel spring mechanism
• 8 day movement
• Chiming / Striker mechanism
• Chimes on the ½ hour & full hour
• Attractively carved oak case
• Original silvered dial
• Black Roman numeral face
• Rear mechanism access door
• Chrome plated copper bezel
• Elegant shaped hands
• Silver colour tin dial
• Winding key
• Detachable adjustable pendulum
• Restored & serviced
• 2 Year UK warranty included
• Free delivery to mainland England, Wales & Southern Scotland*
• Free 14 days UK returns policy

Description:
Here we have for sale a good quality antique German 11½” oak chiming / striker mantel clock, by Gustav Becker, circa 1920, which has been lovingly restored to its former glory and is now in good working order. Gustav Becker clocks are known for their quality workmanship

This clock features an attractive oak case, with a moulded chrome plated copper bezel, a mechanism access door to the rear. The oak case has been restored and boasts decorative carvings. The case features a carved pagoda top and cornice with dentil carvings, while the front corners boast barley twist carved pillars. Below, there is further decorative scroll carving. The clock sits on fine pad feet. On the back of the clock is a door to access the pendulum and mechanism.

This clock houses a top quality 8-day double brass barrel spring driven chiming mechanism. The clock chimes once on the half hour and also every hour to the number of hours. The left hand hole in the dial face is to wind up the clock movement and the right hand hole is to wind up the chiming movement. This design gives you the option of either having the chiming mechanism enabled or disabled; allowing you to choose whether you want the chiming noise to be heard.

The movement has been restored and serviced and is now in excellent mechanical order, ensuring this clock is reliable and keeping good time. The pendulum, which is attached to the mechanism by accessing the clock from the door to the rear, can be adjusted in length to allow you to regulate the clock speed. The clock comes with a key, which is used to wind the mechanism through the centre of the face dial.

This clock face features a silver colour tin dial with black Roman numerals and elegant shaped hour and minute hand. The dial bears the faint remains of the Gustav Becker and anchor mark. The hinged chrome plated copper bezel houses the glass face that protects the tin dial and face whilst in operation. The copper bezel opens on a right hand hinge to allow you to adjust or set the time. The bezel is kept closed by a ball-and-socket latch.

The clock looks great in a variety of rooms and also in either a traditional or contemporary setting. This is a very attractive mantel clock of classic styling and quality construction. It will become a member of the family after not too long! So don’t miss out your chance to own a lovely clock.

Provenance:
Gustav Becker (1819-1885) was a dedicated and successful German clockmaker. In 1850, thoroughly trained in clock making in Germany and in Vienna, he established a small clock making shop in Freiburg, Silesia (not the Black Forest Freiburg). He struggled to produce clocks with an unskilled labour force until a design award in 1852 gave him the prestige to attract the quality of workers needed for success in this new industry. The firm prospered, and won many quality and performance awards worldwide from the 1860s to the 1890s. Until about 1880, virtually all Gustav Becker clocks were weight powered regulator wall clocks. Then, spring powered clocks were introduced and many new styles followed.

Gustav Becker died in 1885, but the strength of his enterprise carried his name forward. The trademark and production survived an 1889 consolidation of Freiburg clock making companies into the “United Freiburg Clock Manufacturing Company Inc., formerly Gustav Becker”. In 1926, this firm combined with the Junghans clock making company, and the Gustav Becker trademark continued until about 1935.

Becker clocks are not too difficult to identify. Until 1880 and the introduction of the spring driven mechanism, almost all of Gustav Becker’s clocks were weight driven Regulator wall clocks. Becker’s clocks bear his trademark and serial number on the dial and weights are usually marked with his initials. Serial numbers reference the year of manufacture, so determining age is made very simple. An excellent resource for this information and more is available in the book “Gustav Becker Story” by Karl Kochmann.

Gustav Becker clocks are known for their quality workmanship and the Becker name on a clock will make it more valuable than lesser-known makers clocks of similar quality.

Source: http://www.nationalclockrepair.com/Gustav_Becker_Clock_History.php

Condition Report:
This clock has been sympathetically restored to a high standard and is now in good working order. Nominal old use marks to the case and tin dial but nothing significant considering the age of the item. The silvered dial is original and therefore there is some wear to the silvered dial and roman numerals. The oak case is in very good condition. The brass-hinged bezel is in good working order, with some play to the hinge. The bezel-locking latch is present and working and prevents the bezel from opening. The mechanism is original; it has been cleaned and serviced and is in good working order, keeping good time. As we are confident that you will have no problems with the mechanism, we offer a 2-year UK warranty whereby if there were a mechanical problem with the clock, we would collect it free of charge from you, have it repaired and returned free of charge to you. We also offer a 14-day UK returns policy if you were not happy with it or wanted to return it for any reason. Please also note, this clock has the original mechanism; it has not been replaced with a cheaper devaluing electrical battery operated kit that you see on some clocks.

Setting up the Clock:
The clock will only work if it is placed on a flat surface in a direct up-right position (not on a slope). Detailed setup instructions will be included when the clock is delivered.

Dimensions:
Height = 29cm or 11½”
Width = 21.7cm or 8½”
Depth = 14.1cm or 5½”
Dial Diameter = 12cm or 4¾”

Terms & Conditions:
Before you purchase this item, please ensure you have read and are in agreement with our Terms & Conditions of Sale. If you have any questions regarding our Terms & Conditions of Sale, please contact us to discuss them, before purchasing this item.

Ref. Mantel Clock 1