What is a fusee dial wall clock?

A fusee dial wall clock is a mechanical timepiece featuring a cone-shaped brass pulley mechanism designed to equalise the mainspring power output and maintain precise timekeeping. Common across nineteenth-century British infrastructure, these clocks were widely installed in railway stations, post offices, and government buildings.

What materials were traditionally used in Victorian railway clocks?

Traditional British railway clocks were crafted using solid turned timber surrounds, typically mahogany, oak, or teak, combined with heavy brass bezels and protective glass covers. The clock face consisted of a painted iron or zinc dial, while the internal movement incorporated cast brass plates and steel arbors.

How can you identify authentic railway clocks from this era?

Authentic railway wall clocks frequently feature hand-painted company markings such as GWR or LNER on the dial plate and cast brass bezels with side-hinged closures. Original examples retain stamped serial numbers on the brass movement plates and show natural craquelure on the painted iron dial surface.

How do you style a Victorian fusee clock in a modern interior?

Position a circular fusee clock as a solitary visual anchor on a plain focal wall, above a console table, or within an office study area. The combination of rich turned timber, brass framing, and stark monochrome typography complements both traditional period schemes and modern minimal spaces.

How should you clean and preserve an antique mechanical wall clock?

Dust the wooden surround with a soft microfibre cloth and apply a natural beeswax polish periodically while keeping wax off the metal trim and glass. Ensure the mechanical movement is inspected and lubricated every three to five years by a professional horologist, avoiding placement near direct heat sources.

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Gwr Fusee Dial Railway Wall Clock, Swindon

Name: Gwr Fusee Dial Railway Wall Clock, Swindon
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1233770
Price: 3150 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Clockwise

Description

Clockwise is delighted to have for sale this incredible find - a G.W.R fusee dial clock with a known location of Swindon! (Most G.W.R records were destroyed in a fire in 1984).

This Great Western Railway 12 inch dial oak fusee railway clock was supplied to the GWR circa 1865 by one of the London makers, possibly John Walker, and is in excellent condition and an extremely rare piece. So few come onto the market and it is authentic in every possible way.

The wire-driven anchor escapement eight day fusee movement has rectangular plates held together by turned tapered pillars and has just been serviced so benefits from my three year guarantee.

The 12 inch painted iron dial is in lovely condition and complimented by original spade hands and secured underneath a spun brass bezel, with a sight ring, that locks securely with a tab. The dial is notated with the same matching number to the rear that is found on the side plaque.

The golden oak case is a one piece turned wooden surround pegged to the back box which has one side door and a bottom door secured with a working brass lock and key with the GWR ivorine clock numberplate G.W.R. 577 screwed into the left side of the case.

According to surviving GWR clock maintenance logs, clock 577 was officially located at the legendary Swindon Works, specifically operating inside the Oil Stores.

The Swindon Works was the beating heart of the Great Western Railway. It served as the central manufacturing and repair hub where thousands of locomotives and carriages were built. The Oil Stores was a vital, busy industrial facility responsible for housing and distributing the vast quantities of lubricants and fuel needed to keep the railway fleet running smoothly. The GWR record explicitly notes that Clock 577 was part of a strict maintenance schedule and "was wound every Tuesday morning" and a designated railway employee had the specific job of visiting the Oil Stores every Tuesday to keep it running. The records show this clock was supplied to the GWR circa 1860-1870.

Finding a GWR railway clock where the specific station or workshop building is recorded is incredibly rare as most GWR ledgers were destroyed in a fire. Knowing it sat in the Swindon Works - the very place where it was likely sent for its maintenance - makes it an incredible piece of railway history.

This is a lovely early GWR clock which won't be on the market long and it comes with its pendulum and a key.

With one of the largest collections of carefully sourced and ethically restored railway clocks in the country Clockwise specialises in quality fusee, longcase and bracket clocks. With clients from overseas, the world of business, film, sport, royalty and aristocracy - yet more than happy with traditional clients - Clockwise has an unrivalled reputation for excellence and superb service.

Physical Dimensions

Height

37cm (14.57")

Width

37cm (14.57")

Declaration

Clockwise has dated this Gwr Fusee Dial Clock to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1233770

Dealers Notes

Clockwise Clock Sales & Restorations

The Cotswolds Leading Antique Clock Restorer and Dealer

Description

Clockwise is delighted to have for sale this incredible find - a G.W.R fusee dial clock with a known location of Swindon! (Most G.W.R records were destroyed in a fire in 1984).

This Great Western Railway 12 inch dial oak fusee railway clock was supplied to the GWR circa 1865 by one of the London makers, possibly John Walker, and is in excellent condition and an extremely rare piece. So few come onto the market and it is authentic in every possible way.

“

The wire-driven anchor escapement eight day fusee movement has rectangular plates held together by turned tapered pillars and has just been serviced so benefits from my three year guarantee.

Clockwise

fig 1. A circular antique mahogany wall clock with a cream dial, black Roman numerals, black steel hands, brass bezel, and G.W.R. markings. — fig 1. Gwr Fusee Dial Railway Wall Clock, Swindon

The 12 inch painted iron dial is in lovely condition and complimented by original spade hands and secured underneath a spun brass bezel, with a sight ring, that locks securely with a tab. The dial is notated with the same matching number to the rear that is found on the side plaque.

fig 2. A circular antique mahogany wall clock with a cream dial, black Roman numerals, black steel hands, brass bezel, and G.W.R. markings. — fig 2. Gwr Fusee Dial Railway Wall Clock, Swindon

The golden oak case is a one piece turned wooden surround pegged to the back box which has one side door and a bottom door secured with a working brass lock and key with the GWR ivorine clock numberplate G.W.R. 577 screwed into the left side of the case.

fig 3. A circular antique mahogany wall clock with a cream dial, black Roman numerals, black steel hands, brass bezel, and G.W.R. markings. — fig 3. Gwr Fusee Dial Railway Wall Clock, Swindon

According to surviving GWR clock maintenance logs, clock 577 was officially located at the legendary Swindon Works, specifically operating inside the Oil Stores.

The Swindon Works was the beating heart of the Great Western Railway. It served as the central manufacturing and repair hub where thousands of locomotives and carriages were built. The Oil Stores was a vital, busy industrial facility responsible for housing and distributing the vast quantities of lubricants and fuel needed to keep the railway fleet running smoothly. The GWR record explicitly notes that Clock 577 was part of a strict maintenance schedule and "was wound every Tuesday morning" and a designated railway employee had the specific job of visiting the Oil Stores every Tuesday to keep it running. The records show this clock was supplied to the GWR circa 1860-1870.

fig 4. A circular antique mahogany wall clock with a cream dial, black Roman numerals, black steel hands, brass bezel, and G.W.R. markings. — fig 4. Gwr Fusee Dial Railway Wall Clock, Swindon

Finding a GWR railway clock where the specific station or workshop building is recorded is incredibly rare as most GWR ledgers were destroyed in a fire. Knowing it sat in the Swindon Works - the very place where it was likely sent for its maintenance - makes it an incredible piece of railway history.

fig 5. A circular antique mahogany wall clock with a cream dial, black Roman numerals, black steel hands, brass bezel, and G.W.R. markings. — fig 5. Gwr Fusee Dial Railway Wall Clock, Swindon

This is a lovely early GWR clock which won't be on the market long and it comes with its pendulum and a key.

With one of the largest collections of carefully sourced and ethically restored railway clocks in the country Clockwise specialises in quality fusee, longcase and bracket clocks. With clients from overseas, the world of business, film, sport, royalty and aristocracy - yet more than happy with traditional clients - Clockwise has an unrivalled reputation for excellence and superb service.

Physical Dimensions

Height

37cm (14.57")

Width

37cm (14.57")

Date of Manufacture

Clockwise has dated this Gwr Fusee Dial Clock to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Ref

SA1233770

About the Dealer

Clockwise