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Posted

So here is another one that I have found in Melbourne. Not tested is why they are saying sold as parts. There is no key with the clock. I figure I could buy a key somewhere. I have asked for some more photos. Close ups of the rear plate and the sides of the movement.

Anyway, opinions please. And remember, be gentle. <gulp>

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/235668580980?_trkparms=amclksrc%3DITM%26aid%3D111001%26algo%3DREC.SEED%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20211130125621%26meid%3D01dfa9db36b0455d934442f5cb0330f6%26pid%3D101465%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D4%26sd%3D235668580980%26itm%3D235668580980%26pmt%3D0%26noa%3D1%26pg%3D3650466&_trksid=p3650466.c101465.m3507

Posted

It looks fine and a good price and it is all complete and having a glass dome. Koma didn't make all that many they were not one of the large factories producing these clocks. I would go for it and getting a key is easy. The base will need cleaning but Dell has a good video showing you what to do. 

  • Like 1
Posted

Vintage as opposed to antique as oldhippy said looks complete but can be deceiving because a clock that has had the mainspring let go will still look complete just ask the seller if it winds up or is wound up because that will tell you, not trying to put you off just don’t want you to buy a dud.

Posted
1 hour ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Where's the demarcation between vintage and antique? 

I believe the expert opinion is vintage is greater than 50 years old but under 100 and antique older than 100 years. I have also seen 25 years and up touted as vintage too. I don’t think there is a definitive definition Richard.

Tom

  • Like 2
Posted
6 hours ago, Dell said:

Vintage as opposed to antique as oldhippy said looks complete but can be deceiving because a clock that has had the mainspring let go will still look complete just ask the seller if it winds up or is wound up because that will tell you, not trying to put you off just don’t want you to buy a dud.

So is getting replacement mainsprings an issue?

I will ask the seller though.

Posted (edited)

There shouldn't be a problem getting a replacement mainspring. Cousins stock horlover 400 day mainsprings 

Edited by oldhippy
Posted
11 hours ago, RichardHarris123 said:

Where's the demarcation between vintage and antique? 

Good point my opinion is pre WW1 antique post vintage but as Tom said antique is usually 100 years.

Michael
I never replace a mainspring on a torsion clock unless it is beyond repair IE broken into more than one piece or in the middle something that is very rare , Oldhippy said he had blown the movement up and it all looked good so don’t worry about it

Dell

Posted (edited)

I have sent a message to the ebay seller, but they have not responded yet.

I have asked for measurements, questions regarding winding etc and is there a key and where do I have to drive to in Melbourne to pick it up.

Waiting, waiting, waiting.

Though as @oldhippy (whose opinion I value though I have never met him) has had a look and thinks everything looks good, I must just bite the bullet and hit the Buy It Now and be happy.

Not getting an answer makes me start to wonder that it might be a scam. Isn't it sad that we think that way now.

Edited by Michael1962
Posted (edited)

Well I now own an Anniversary clock. <insert happy bunny icon here>

I will have to get hold of the Horolovar book now and the tool for adjusting the beat. Another thing that I cannot find in Australia. There are times I wonder how our country ever moved forward.

Picking it up tomorrow. 5 hour round trip, which with stopping to collect and then dropping into my son's in Heidelberg, that will probably be all I will do tomorrow.

Edited by Michael1962
  • Like 2
Posted (edited)

Well I left home at 7:30 and got back at about 2. So 6 1/2 hours.

And every minute was worth it. I put the pendulum on the suspension wire, levelled it using the hole in the base under the pendulum and it started up. Glass dome is perfect. The only thing that needs restoring is the base.IMG_2167.thumb.JPG.7268fd2dcf5d41423ccae3814dcbd22a.JPG

 

Edited by Michael1962
  • Like 2
Posted
20 hours ago, Michael1962 said:

I will have to get hold of the Horolovar book now and the tool for adjusting the beat. Another thing that I cannot find in Australia. There are times I wonder how our country ever moved forward.

Don’t buy the beat setting tool it’s a waste of money as it’s doesn’t work very well do what I did and modify a pair of pliers, pin nose is best and most people have an old pair of pliers.

I have a posh pair because I used a pair of snap on pliers.😂

Dell

IMG_0381.thumb.jpeg.468517a476de367432d361d8eb20b01c.jpeg

  • Like 1
Posted

I have to disagree with DELL this time (sorry dell) I found the beat setting tool  incredible good with its long handle you can make such fine adjustments in my days when repairing these clocks for me it was a must have.   

When it comes to the book if you don't want to get the new one it is expensive look on ebay for an old edition.  

  • Like 1
Posted

I have seen enough posts on here where people have said they finally bought the beat setting tool and wondered why they waited as long as they did. I think I will have to order one from the US or the UK. Can’t find them here. Can you believe that? Thanks for the heads up about the book @oldhippy

 Positively annoying. 

Posted
2 hours ago, oldhippy said:

I have to disagree with DELL this time (sorry dell) I found the beat setting tool  incredible good with its long handle you can make such fine adjustments in my days when repairing these clocks for me it was a must have.   

When it comes to the book if you don't want to get the new one it is expensive look on ebay for an old edition.  

I couldn’t get on with one as I found the jaws twisted when tightened up but I understand the original Horolovar ones were better how old are you Oldhippy ?

🫣

Posted

I will be 70 on the 27th of this month but some days I feel like 90 this hot weather doesn't help. The hot weather bothered me in the past but getting old I hate it.

I had to retire from watch / clock making many years ago due to spondylitis in my neck when I was around 40 I was told I had wear and tear of someone in their 70's I have to take meds every day. 

Posted

So you are younger than me I will be 71 in December,I worked until I was 70 but I ran a coach bodyshop and in the end I had to get the apprentice to help me up when I got on the floor to do something so I thought enough is enough, you have Spondylitis never heard if it, I have had cancer twice kidney removed so every day is a bonus, I started restoring torsion clock a good few years ago and still enjoying the challenge.

I am an elected member of the British watch&clockmakers guild when I applied I was told I had no chance because I hadn’t got any formal qualifications in horology but to submit some evidence anyway.

Dell

Posted

I turned 62 on Thursday 1st. I wish I had started doing something like this a great many years ago. I recall being really interested when I started doing my apprenticeship as a fitter. That was back in 1985.

Where I lived, it just was not a possibility.

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