Striking Twin Fusee Clock
A striking twin fusee clock combines a reliable two-train movement with the resonant tone of a bell or gong.
Striking Twin Fusee Clock
A striking twin fusee clock stands as a dependable timekeeper driven by two separate fusee cones and chains or cords, separating the timekeeping train from the striking train. You will find these pieces principally as wall clocks, drop-dial wall clocks, and bracket or mantel clocks originating across the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.
The materials span rich cabinet woods like mahogany, rosewood, oak, and ebonised wood, often detailed with brass bezels and enamel or silvered dials. These machines suit studies, hallways, and living spaces where a mechanical bell strike adds acoustic character.
How they were made
Makers housed these sophisticated movements inside robust hardwood cases of mahogany, oak, or rosewood, sometimes integrating brass inlay or mother of pearl. The twin fusee mechanism utilises conically grooved pulleys to equalise the pull of the driving springs as they unwind, ensuring steady accuracy.
Dials were fashioned from enamel, brass, or silvered metal, paired with glass viewing panels and heavy cast brass bezels. Many examples feature bell or gong striking trains to mark the hours or quarters.
Some maritime bulkhead examples kept time whilst salt spray hit the glass.
What varies in quality
Quality rests upon the crispness of the movement's engraving, the precision of the fusee cutting, and the reputation of the horologist whose signature appears on the dial. Provincial makers often produced sturdy, honest work, whilst established London makers delivered superior finishing and intricate quarter-striking complications.
Case timber selection and secondary details like silvered chapter rings, signed backplates, and original brackets elevate certain examples above standard production models.
SOMERSALL LONDON·John Leroux·John McGregor·DeLa Salle And Christie·William Smith·Percy Webster·Barraud And Lund·L.Donne·Thomas Weeks·TURNER of DROITWICH·RUSSELL of LIVERPOOL·Fisher of Bath·T. Lancaster·W & H
The Striking Twin Fusee Clock Glossary
- Fusee
- A conical pulley with spiral grooves that regulates the pull of the mainspring. This clever device ensures even power delivery to the gear train as the spring winds down.
- Twin Fusee
- A movement utilising two separate fusee cones and spring barrels. One drives the timekeeping train whilst the second powers the striking train.
- Drop-dial Wall Clock
- A wall clock featuring a circular dial above an extended wooden case below. This lower box often houses a pendulum and allows easy access to the weights or pendulum.
- Bracket Clock
- A portable clock originally designed to sit upon a wall bracket or table. These spring-driven pieces frequently incorporate striking mechanisms and carrying handles.
- Quarter Striking
- A mechanism that sounds the passage of the quarters in addition to the hours. This adds complexity and richness to the acoustic output of the clock.
Striking Twin Fusee Clock: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a twin fusee clock?
A twin fusee clock employs two distinct fusee cones to regulate the power from its springs. One cone drives the timekeeping mechanism, while the second powers the strike train.
This independent setup maintains even tension on the gear train, which contributes to reliable timekeeping across the running period.
How do I wind a twin fusee clock?
Winding requires a dedicated winding key inserted into the arbors on the dial face. You turn the key carefully until resistance indicates the springs are fully wound.
Most examples require winding every eight days, keeping both the time and strike trains powered evenly.
Where should I place a wall clock?
Wall clocks require a sturdy, stable vertical surface away from excessive drafts, direct sunlight, and vibrations. Interior partition walls or solid masonry work best for mounting heavy mahogany and oak cases.
Ensure the wall is flat so the case hangs plumb, allowing the pendulum to swing freely without catching.
How do I tell an 18th-century clock from a 19th-century one?
Eighteenth-century examples often display restrained case proportions, fine hand-engraved backplates, and signatures integrated directly onto brass dials. Nineteenth-century pieces frequently utilise drop-dial wall formats or robust bracket clock cases with enamel or silvered dials.
Examining the movement architecture, wood selection, and dial materials generally reveals the period of manufacture.