Vienna Regulator Wall Clock by Gustav Becker - Timepiece's Third Year Anniversary
In the heart of the author's home, a grand timepiece stands prominently, captivating both its owner and visitors with its intricate beauty and precise movements. This is a 2-weight "Vienna Regulator" clock, crafted by Gustav Becker in 1902 at the Braunau factory.
Gustav Becker clocks, renowned for their quality and craftsmanship, are distinguished by their high-quality mechanical movements, traditional wooden cases, and clear dial designs. The mechanical movement of this particular clock is an 8-day regulator, designed for accurate timekeeping, with a pendulum that swings slowly and rhythmically.
The clock's case, made of dark wood, is a testament to the ornate stylistic trends of the day. The author's piece features hand carving, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The dial face is round, off-white, and adorned with clear Arabic numerals, providing good contrast for easy time reading.
The manufacturing era of Gustav Becker clocks spans primarily the late 1800s to the early 1900s. The year of production can often be identified by checking the serial number stamped on the clock movement, or by examining stylistic details of the case and dial design.
The author received this clock as a retirement gift in 2016. Since then, it has been a significant addition to his hobby. In April 2019, the author inspected the movement, gave the case a cleaning, and applied one coat of shellac to preserve its beauty. The clock's time and strike mechanism has run flawlessly since its repair in 2016.
Gustav Becker clocks are often sought after by collectors, and the talent of Germany's artisans is reflected in the many styles of Becker clock cases. The author considers this clock to be a valuable addition to his collection, and his wife, who found it on eBay, agrees.
While the original 1902 Braunau movement was replaced with a "newer" Polish sourced Braunau movement from 1917, the clock remains a testament to the precision and craftsmanship of the Gustav Becker works in Bohemia (now Broumov, Czech Republic). Its slow-moving pendulum continues to swing, marking the passage of time, and reminding us of the beauty and history of mechanical timekeeping.
This vintage clock, a 2-weight "Vienna Regulator" crafted by Gustav Becker in 1902, adds a touch of lifestyle elegance to the author's home and garden. Its high-quality mechanical movements and ornate wooden case, featuring hand carving, make it a valuable piece in the fashion-and-beauty category as well as in home-and-garden settings.
