Maintenance of the Fleet Time Mantel Clock, specifically focusing on its Gufa movement.
Restoring a Rare Fleet Time Company Clock
A rare Fleet Time Company clock, made in Montreal, Canada between 1936 and 1940, is currently undergoing restoration. The clock, a Fleet Time Canuck shelf clock, was purchased a year ago and was in poor condition.
The clock required several adjustments and repairs. The strike paddle on the clock was ending the strike sequence hanging off one of the star points, necessitating an adjustment. To address this issue, the plates on the strike side of the clock had to be opened up, and the paddle was repositioned.
The clock's movement, a 3-train movement, is labor-intensive and often requires major work after a few years. The movement in question is a Gufa Westminster chime movement, manufactured by Guetenbacher Uhrenfabrik in Gütenbach, Germany. The chime gear patent date number on the movement ends in 34, indicating it was likely manufactured between 1935 and 1939.
The chime sequence on the clock required adjustment, which involved loosening the set screw for the main chime wheel and rotating the drum. The clock's chime strike lever was also sticking and needed polishing to function properly.
Parts for 3-train movements, except for modern movements, are almost impossible to find. However, the clock-maker was able to source the necessary bushings for the second wheels and the motion works arbour. For safety reasons, the power was let down on all mainsprings during the adjustment process.
After the adjustments, the movement of the clock was tested, and it was found to be working well. The quarter strike should now be at the 1-2-3-4, the beginning of the chime sequence. The strike paddle adjustment will be revisited after a few days to ensure it is functioning correctly.
The Fleet Time Company, a small Canadian firm that specialized in mantel clocks during the late 1930s up to about 1940, is considered collectible today due to their rarity and the company's brief operational period. Little detailed corporate or production history is widely recorded, contributing to their status as a minor niche in Canadian horological history.
For those interested in learning more about the Fleet Time Company or viewing examples of their clocks, specialist antique clock dealers, Canadian horology museums, or local Montreal historical societies might offer more insight or access to archival materials. Unfortunately, comprehensive commercial or historical narratives about Fleet Time Company are not currently available from mainstream online sources.
- Vintage clocks, such as the Fleet Time Canuck shelf clock, can be found among the offerings of antique clock dealers, who may also provide information about the company's history.
- Mantel clocks, like those produced by the Fleet Time Company, are often labor-intensive and require adjustments and repairs over time, similar to the Gufa Westminster chime movement in question.
- While smart-home-devices and gadgets rely on modern technology, restoring antique clocks like the Fleet Time Company clocks involves sourcing parts from specialized suppliers and adhering to traditional repair techniques, eschewing the use of technology where possible.
