What is an English fusee dial wall clock?

A fusee dial wall clock is a traditional British mechanical timepiece that utilises a cone-shaped pulley system to regulate power from the mainspring, maintaining consistent timekeeping accuracy. These clocks gained widespread popularity during the 19th century in offices, public buildings, and railway stations across Britain.

What materials are traditional fusee wall clocks constructed from?

Authentic 19th-century fusee clocks feature hand-turned wooden surrounds, commonly crafted from solid mahogany or oak, alongside cast brass bezels and protective glass covers. The interior movement consists of brass plates, steel arbours, and a steel chain or gut cord wrapped around the fusee cone.

How do you identify an authentic Victorian fusee wall clock?

Authentic pieces generally feature a painted iron dial with Roman numerals, a single winding aperture, and a hand-turned timber surround with bottom or side access doors. Dials are often inscribed with maker names and London addresses, such as Cheapside or Fleet Street, indicating historic workshop origins.

How do you style an antique fusee wall clock in a modern interior?

Positioning a circular mahogany dial clock in an entryway, above a console table, or within a home study creates a distinguished focal point. The rich timber tones and classic Roman numerals pair well with neutral plaster walls, dark paint palettes, or traditional gallery displays.

How should an antique mahogany fusee clock be cared for and preserved?

Dust the exterior mahogany surround using a soft, dry microfibre cloth and avoid placing the clock directly above heat sources to prevent timber shrinkage. The mechanical movement should be wound regularly using the correct size key and professionally serviced by a horologist every five to seven years.

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Bennetts Cheapside London Antique Mahogany Chain Fusee Wall Railway Clock No1507

Name: Bennetts Cheapside London Antique Mahogany Chain Fusee Wall Railway Clock No1507
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1108592
Price: 675 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by N Wilson Antiques Clocks

Description

DESCRIPTION:

This is a wonderful mahogany cased chain fusee wall clock. The movement to this clock is excellent being a very good quality chain fusee movement. The dial is signed with the maker 'BENNETTS CHEAPSIDE LONDON 1507'.

John Bennett (1814-1897) was a third generation clockmaker. He was a holder of Royal Warrants between 1847-1895 and was elevated to the peerage in 1872. Knight of the Royal Legion of Honour; Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Freeman of the City of London. The British Museum has one of his minute repeaters, in addition a bracket clock was purchased by Charles Dickens, which may be seen at the Charles Dickens Museum in Doughty Street, Camden, London.

In addition in 'RAILWAY CLOCKS Ian P. Lyman' In Appendix 1 Makers and Suppliers of Railway Clocks 'Bennett (Sir John), (1893-99) Stockwell Street, Clerkenwell, later 65 & 64 Cheapside; SER' and 'Bennett (possibly as previous entry); LB&SCR' As John Bennett was made Sir in 1872 this would date this to pre 1872. Presumable the 1507 related to the location the clock has on either the South Eastern Railway or London Brighton and South Coast Railway lines.

The case is made from wonderful mahogany which has some superb grain and is a wonderful colour. The case has a wonderful patina which can only be gained through age.

If we start with the dial this is a white dial marked out with Roman numerals. The bezel is brass and contains thick glass. There is also a catch for closing and releasing the dial.

The case a door which is complete with a a lock and key to the base and then there is a further door to the right side which is held in place with a catch. When the movement needs to be accessed the base and side doors are opened which then allows the pendulum to be hung. The backbox is good quality with fine dovetail joints.

The movement itself is excellent being a single chain fusee movement, and is nice and clean. The clock is 8 day. The clock is in good working order and is happily ticking away having been cleaned and serviced. The clock comes complete with it's winding key and pendulum. The dial is stamped with 'BENNETTS Cheapside LONDON 1507'. There is also a small brass plaque to the left side of the case stamped 1507 which matches the dial

AGE:

The clock is circa 1890 / 1900.

DIMENSIONS:

The approximate dimensions are:

- 15 inches (38 cm) in diameter across the case

- 6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm) deep

- 12 inches (30.5 cm) in diameter across the dial

CONDITION:

With regards condition, the clock is in very good condition, as can be seen from the photographs. The movement itself is excellent being a single chain fusee movement, and is nice and clean and is happily ticking away having been cleaned and serviced. The case is also in superb antique condition. Please study photographs carefully as they form part of the description and condition, as what you view is exactly what you will receive.

This is a wonderful, fusee wall clock which would grace any wall

Declaration

N Wilson Antiques Clocks has dated this Victorian Fusee Wall Clock to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1108592

Dealers Internal Reference

fusee 46_BENNETT

Description

DESCRIPTION:

This is a wonderful mahogany cased chain fusee wall clock. The movement to this clock is excellent being a very good quality chain fusee movement. The dial is signed with the maker 'BENNETTS CHEAPSIDE LONDON 1507'.

John Bennett (1814-1897) was a third generation clockmaker. He was a holder of Royal Warrants between 1847-1895 and was elevated to the peerage in 1872.

“

Knight of the Royal Legion of Honour; Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and Freeman of the City of London.

N Wilson Antiques Clocks

The British Museum has one of his minute repeaters, in addition a bracket clock was purchased by Charles Dickens, which may be seen at the Charles Dickens Museum in Doughty Street, Camden, London.

fig 1. An antique circular mahogany wall clock featuring an off-white dial with black Roman numerals, brass bezel, and Bennetts Cheapside London inscription. — fig 1. Bennetts Cheapside London Antique Mahogany Chain Fusee Wall Railway Clock No1507

In addition in 'RAILWAY CLOCKS Ian P. Lyman' In Appendix 1 Makers and Suppliers of Railway Clocks 'Bennett (Sir John), (1893-99) Stockwell Street, Clerkenwell, later 65 & 64 Cheapside; SER' and 'Bennett (possibly as previous entry); LB&SCR' As John Bennett was made Sir in 1872 this would date this to pre 1872. Presumable the 1507 related to the location the clock has on either the South Eastern Railway or London Brighton and South Coast Railway lines.

fig 2. An antique circular mahogany wall clock featuring an off-white dial with black Roman numerals, brass bezel, and Bennetts Cheapside London inscription. — fig 2. Bennetts Cheapside London Antique Mahogany Chain Fusee Wall Railway Clock No1507

The case is made from wonderful mahogany which has some superb grain and is a wonderful colour. The case has a wonderful patina which can only be gained through age.

If we start with the dial this is a white dial marked out with Roman numerals. The bezel is brass and contains thick glass. There is also a catch for closing and releasing the dial.

fig 3. An antique circular mahogany wall clock featuring an off-white dial with black Roman numerals, brass bezel, and Bennetts Cheapside London inscription. — fig 3. Bennetts Cheapside London Antique Mahogany Chain Fusee Wall Railway Clock No1507

The case a door which is complete with a a lock and key to the base and then there is a further door to the right side which is held in place with a catch. When the movement needs to be accessed the base and side doors are opened which then allows the pendulum to be hung. The backbox is good quality with fine dovetail joints.

fig 4. An antique circular mahogany wall clock featuring an off-white dial with black Roman numerals, brass bezel, and Bennetts Cheapside London inscription. — fig 4. Bennetts Cheapside London Antique Mahogany Chain Fusee Wall Railway Clock No1507

The movement itself is excellent being a single chain fusee movement, and is nice and clean. The clock is 8 day. The clock is in good working order and is happily ticking away having been cleaned and serviced. The clock comes complete with it's winding key and pendulum. The dial is stamped with 'BENNETTS Cheapside LONDON 1507'. There is also a small brass plaque to the left side of the case stamped 1507 which matches the dial

fig 5. An antique circular mahogany wall clock featuring an off-white dial with black Roman numerals, brass bezel, and Bennetts Cheapside London inscription. — fig 5. Bennetts Cheapside London Antique Mahogany Chain Fusee Wall Railway Clock No1507

AGE:

The clock is circa 1890 / 1900.

DIMENSIONS:

The approximate dimensions are:

15 inches (38 cm) in diameter across the case

6 1/2 inches (16.5 cm) deep

12 inches (30.5 cm) in diameter across the dial

CONDITION:

fig 6. An antique circular mahogany wall clock featuring an off-white dial with black Roman numerals, brass bezel, and Bennetts Cheapside London inscription. — fig 6. Bennetts Cheapside London Antique Mahogany Chain Fusee Wall Railway Clock No1507

With regards condition, the clock is in very good condition, as can be seen from the photographs. The movement itself is excellent being a single chain fusee movement, and is nice and clean and is happily ticking away having been cleaned and serviced. The case is also in superb antique condition. Please study photographs carefully as they form part of the description and condition, as what you view is exactly what you will receive.

This is a wonderful, fusee wall clock which would grace any wall

Date of Manufacture

N Wilson Antiques Clocks has dated this Victorian Fusee Wall Clock to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1108592

Dealers Internal Ref

fusee 46_BENNETT

About the Dealer

N Wilson Antiques Clocks

Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2021

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