Object typesavings clock term details Museum number2007,8053.1 Escapementpin-pallet lever DescriptionWooden cased Mantel Savings clockWalnut veneered plywood case with two narrow lighter-coloured horizontal bands. There is a slot in the top for inserting coins. The cover for the money box section at the back is missing.Dial with gold-coloured chapter-ring and silver coloured centre. Arabic hour numerals 1-12. Gilt, pierced hour and minute hands.Brass plated spring-driven two-week movement with pin-pallet lever escapement, spiral balance spring and plain three-arm balance.Attached to the left side of the movement a steel-plated mechanism is operated by a dropping coin which then allows the mainspring to be wound.With the clock a George VI florin dated 1947. More Producer nameMade by: Metamec Limited biographyOriginally retailed by: Time Savings Clock Company Limited biography Date1950-1960 Production placeMade in: Dereham(Europe,British Isles,England,Norfolk,Dereham) Materialsplywood (case)walnut (case) term detailsbrass (movement) term detailsaluminium (coin mechanism) Techniqueveneered DimensionsLength: 28 millimetres (case)Height: 19 centimetres (case)Diameter: 7.5 centimetres (case) Inscriptions Inscription Type inscription Inscription Position dial Inscription Content TIME SAVINGS CLOCK MADE IN ENGLAND Inscription Type makers mark Inscription Position movement Inscription Content PAT. No. 772762 Inscription Type inscription Inscription Position coin slot Inscription Content TWO FLORINS WEEKLY Curators commentsThe clocks were intended to be a means of helping people to save their insurance payments and to reduce the need for frequent collectors visits. The idea was that the owner would put in 2 florins per week (four shillings - 20 pence) and that periodically the man from the insurance company would call to empty the collection box. The date can be deduced from the patent number - The original application was made in 1954, no. 33016 and the complete patent was granted to William Arthur Pitt and published in April 1957.The clock is designed to run provided that florin coins were put in. As the coin dropped through the mechanism it pushed a lever aside which released a stop on the balance wheel. As the clock ran, a series of ratchet wheels with jumper springs was indexed until such time as the system reached the point where it released the stop piece back onto the balance rim. This would then be released by the insertion of another coin or coins. The system allows for the insertion of a maximum of 17 coins . For a similar concept see, Agathe Wilhelm, Das Tickende Gedächtnis, Deutsches Uhrenmuseum, Furtwangen, 2009, p.12-13 where a clock by Schuler KG was designed as a savings clock issued by banks. More Acquisition nameDonated by: Paul Buck biography Acquisition date2007 Acquisition notesPurchased on E-bay 7th December 2007 DepartmentPrehistory and Europe Registration number2007,8053.1Wooden cased Mantel Savings clock. Front. Walnut veneered plywood case with two narrow lighter-coloured horizontal bands. A slot in the top for inserting coins. The cover for the money box section at the back is missing. Dial with gold-coloured chapter-ring and silver coloured centre. Arabic hour numerals 1-12. Gilt, pirced hour and minute hands. Brass plated spring-driven two-week movement with pin-pallet lever escapement, spiral balance spring and plain three-arm balance. Attached to the left side of the movement and steel-plated mchanism opertaed by a dropping coin which then allows the mainspring to be wound. With the clock a George VI florin dated 1947. Large image More views (3) Image description Image service: Use image Request new photography Recommend
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 23:49:30 +0000