H. WILLIAMSON, LTD. LARGE BRASS MARINE BULKHEAD CLOCK

1911 ASTRAL MOVEMENT - EARLIEST COVENTRY PLATFORM ESCAPEMENT DESIGN

A prize specimen from my personal collection. Time has come for these horological gems to find good new homes.  Yes; that's Doug the Clocksmith of Naperville, Illinois welcoming 1974. 

The British Empire ruled the seas throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.  Accurate clocks were essential tools in successfully navigating ocean travel.  The illustrious history of English marine clock design innovation and evolution carried on through the Edwardian era at London workrooms of Henry Williamson.  An April 1910 advertisement placed by Williamson in The Jeweler and Metalworker trade publication proudly announces opening of the firm's new Coventry clock factory.             

The cream and black enameled dial with sunk seconds is signed in large bold letters.  Disassembly revealed the back of the iron dial plate initialed by the painter and dated "29-6-11."  Little more than a year after manufacturing commenced at H. Williamson's London factory!

Although the movement was machine made with interchangeable parts (among the earliest factory made British marine clocks), hand finishing is evident throughout.  Thick plates boast decorative snailing on all surfaces.  Hardened steel arbors and cut pinions are beautifully polished.  Intriguingly, spokes of Astral train wheels are stamped "M1" "MC" and "M3"; designating them as 1st, center and 3rd (M = marine?) gears.  

The case is robustly constructed with a heavy cast bezel and thick beveled crystal.  Hinged hasp and closure fitting are hand filed.

I sourced an antique British brass key with heart shape handle matching the Astral trademark.  Who knows....it could be a Williamson Coventry factory key! 

NOTE:  This year, the movement and platform were completely disassembled (including removal of mainspring from barrel), ultrasonic and hand cleaned and rinsed in waterless solutions.  All elements were meticulously checked for wear, rust removed, pivots polished, two bronze bushings installed, reassembled and lubricated with high-grade Swiss grease and two viscosity oils.  Post overhaul, the works were tested and timekeeping regulated.  The dial was cleaned and waxed, grime removed from the crystal and glass cemented in the bezel.  Hands were buffed with steel wool and blued.  The severely corroded and blackened case was laboriously cleaned, hand polished to a warm luster, and lacquer sealed to retard oxidation.  Professional bench restoration and case refinishing typically carry a labor charge of $700.  

Please review descriptive information and study the photographs for details.  I'm pleased to respond to questions or concerns.

Thanks!

Doug Tomsky

NAWCC #27572

CONSCIENTIOUSLY PACKED & SHIPPED WORLDWIDE