Maintaining the operation of the Fleet Time mantel clock, focusing on its Gufa movement mechanism.
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In the heart of a quiet town, a unique timepiece has been brought back to life. Purchased for just $10, this clock, manufactured by the Fleet Time Company of Montreal between 1936 and 1940, is a testament to the craftsmanship of a bygone era.
The clock, boasting a Gufa Westminster chime movement, was produced by Guetenbacher Uhrenfabrik in Gütenbach, Germany. This movement, typical of the time, required servicing, specifically new bushings on the second wheels and the motion works arbour. The testing of the movement proceeded, despite an initial issue with the strike paddle adjustment.
3-train movements, like the one in this clock, are not the favourite type to work on due to their need for major work, labour-intensity, and difficulty in finding parts. The plates on the strike side had to be opened up, and the paddle repositioned. Safety precautions were taken, with the power on all mainsprings being let down during adjustments.
Despite the challenges, the reassembly of the movement was done carefully to avoid bending pivots. The testing revealed that everything looked very good, except for a sticking chime strike lever. The issue was resolved by polishing the hook end surface where it meets the strike warning wheel pin.
The Fleet Time Company, a small Canadian manufacturer known for producing clocks and timing devices, is not well-documented in historical records. It appears to have operated for only a few years, roughly from 1936 to 1940, which can explain the scarcity of publicly available information about it.
The striking feature of this restored clock is its chime sequence. Adjustments were made to ensure the quarter strike is at the 1-2-3-4, the beginning of the chime sequence. The strike paddle, however, ends the strike sequence hanging off one of the star points.
The restoration of this clock serves as a reminder of the rich horological history that exists, even in the most unexpected places. For those interested in learning more about the Fleet Time Company or Canadian clockmakers of the era, specialized archives on Canadian industrial history, horological societies, or Canadian museum collections focused on clocks and watches might provide additional insights.
- Vintage clocks, such as the antique one purchased from the Fleet Time Company, often require careful servicing when restored, like the replacement of bushings and the adjustment of 3-train movements.
- In contrast to vintage clocks, smart-home-devices and gadgets areembedded with up-to-date technology, aiming for easy operation and convenience for modern users.
- Despite a predominantly analog past with antique clocks and vintage clocks, the future of timekeeping may focus on integrating clock mechanisms with technology for a seamless experience, like smart-home-devices offering calendar and alarm functions.
