Behold the magnificent Congreve clock, a masterpiece of horological artistry that transcends mere timekeeping to become a testament to human ingenuity. Handcrafted with meticulous precision, this exquisite timepiece stands as a fusion of mechanical marvel and aesthetic elegance. The clock's lustrous brass framework, polished to a mirror-like finish, gleams under the soft glow of ambient light, while its intricate gears and mechanisms, powered by a traditional fusee drive, orchestrate a symphony of motion that is as mesmerizing as it is precise. Encased within a crystal-clear glass dome, the clock offers an unobstructed view of its enchanting workings, inviting admirers to lose themselves in the dance of its meticulously crafted components.
At the heart of this extraordinary creation lies the rolling ball escapement, a captivating mechanism that sets the Congreve clock apart from its peers. With each gentle tick, a gleaming steel ball gracefully traverses a serpentine path along a tilted track, its journey a delicate balance of gravity and momentum. This perpetual motion, both hypnotic and serene, embodies the relentless march of time.
The Congreve is not necessarily the most accurate timekeeper, as the rolling ball escapement introduces random aspects which may slow or speed the period. This timepiece is a beautiful and fascinating kinetic sculpture, where accurate timekeeping is incidental.
From Wikipedia:
A Congreve clock (also known as Congreve's Rolling Ball Clock or Oscillating Path Rolling Ball Clock) is a type of clock that uses a ball rolling along a zigzag track rather than a pendulum to regulate the time. It was invented by Sir William Congreve in 1808. The ball takes between 15 seconds and one minute to run down the zigzag track, where it trips the escapement which in turn reverses the tilt of the tray and at the same time causes the hands of the clock to move forward. Thus the angle of the plate reverses and the clock hands move forward between one and four times every minute. On versions of the clock with a dial to indicate seconds, the second hand jumps forward either 15 or 30 seconds on each oscillation depending on the length of the track.
Congreve appears to have been unaware that rolling ball clocks had been invented earlier by both Nicolas Grollier de Servière and Johann Sayller. Congreve's version differed from Grollier's rolling ball clock in that the ball travelled down a zigzag rather than straight path. While Sayller's version had also used a zigzag path, it had utilized a number of balls and a fixed table rather than the single ball and tilting table employed by Congreve. The "Extreme Detached Escapement" (as Congreve referred to his escapement design) was patented in 1808.
Congreve, who was not a clock maker, hired Gravell & Tolkien to produce the first working version, which he then presented to the Prince of Wales in 1808. This version was weight-driven, but the second design, which appears to have been constructed by John Moxon, was spring-driven. The second model is in the collection of Buckingham Palace.
- Made in England
- Hand made solid brass 8-day 24-carat gold plated fusee movement
- Mahogany hand polished high gloss base with fine curl veneers and key drawer
- Crystal glass mitered canopy to protect the movement
- Silver plated dials and blue lacquered Breguet style hands indicate hours, minutes and seconds separately
- Serial numbered movement with Certificate of Authenticity
- Bespoke finish combinations available on request
- Mahogany finish presentation travel case
- A Comitti original!
If you are interested in this clock please email us at: clocks@northcoastimports.com – please be sure to include your zip and postal code for a dealer in your area.
