Clock powered by Ansonia Marquis crystal regulator - reader's timepiece device
In a small town jewelry store and clock shop, which has been in operation for over seven decades, a unique piece of American history has recently undergone a remarkable transformation. The Ansonia Marquis clock, an eight-day time and strike crystal regulator, was part of a large collection that was purchased following the owner's passing.
The Ansonia Marquis clock, produced around 1904, is a testament to the craftsmanship of the Ansonia Clock Company, founded in Ansonia, Connecticut in 1844. Despite the passage of time, the clock's original components, including the jeweled pallets and pivots, were in good condition. However, the brass case had badly tarnished, and the clock needed a thorough cleaning.
The restoration process began with dismantling the clock's movement, which was then cleaned meticulously. One of the jeweled pallets, made from garnet, a deep red vitreous silicate mineral, required adjustment and resetting with shellac. The case, listed in the catalog as polished brass with "rich gold" ornaments, was restored through an ultrasonic cleaner and polishing.
The Ansonia Marquis clock, originally priced at $40.00 in 1904, is now equivalent to $1107.48 in 2019. In a 1905 catalog, the price of the clock was increased to $41.80. Despite the price hike, the clock remains a valuable antique, measuring 151⁄2 inches high and 71⁄2 inches wide with a 4-inch porcelain dial.
The Ansonia Clock Company, which manufactured the Ansonia Marquis clock, went into receivership prior to the stock market crash of 1929. Although there is no specific information available about the sale of the company to a Russian holding company in 1929, it is known that the machinery and dies of the Ansonia Clock Company were sold, effectively ending its operation.
After a week of careful restoration, the Ansonia Marquis clock was put back together and is now ticking away once more in its rightful place in the jewelry store and clock shop. The clock, which is also known as a four-glass clock or a crystal regulator, continues to stand as a symbol of American craftsmanship and the enduring allure of antique timepieces.
The restored Ansonia Marquis clock, a relic of vintage clocks, is now a centerpiece in the lifestyle of the jewelry store and clock shop. As a collector's item, it complements the store's offerings in categories such as fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, and home-and-garden, providing a timeless antique appeal.
In this small town store, antique aficionados can find a one-of-a-kind piece like the Ansonia Marquis clock, a testament to American craftsmanship that dates back to the early 20th century, adding a touch of history to their unique home-and-garden decor.
