Synchronome Master Clock Serial Numbers
Replica Self Winding Clock Co. Ken's Clock Clinic announces that we are the Exclusive Supplier of Historic Self Winding Clock Dials, NOW WITH ARABIC MODELS AS. This is a 40-page booklet containing information on the second version of the Synchronome master clock. Unfortunately your movement lacks a serial number on the. The Shortt–Synchronome free pendulum clock was a complex. The slave pendulum was attached to the timekeeping mechanisms of the clock, leaving the master.
Welcome to the Message Board willfletch. The gathering arm, catch or pawl is simply iron wire with a tiny loop around a small semi-circular gemstone with a flat face used to 'gather' a tooth of the count wheel. The jewel stone gathering face is the proper and original arm. However the Synchronome doesn't know or care if the gathering face is a ruby or a flattened and polished bent end of a paper-clip wire. One could purchase the stone used for the purpose and cement the ruby to an 'eye' made at the end the wire. TimeSavers has the gemstone which is also used as pallets in the Breguet visible escapement.
Another new member and I hope I can be excused for not starting a new thread as I'm in the exactly the same situation as willfletch. I bought my synchronome movement around 1990 at a horological fair that I came upon by chance.
It was complete and it ran for a short time screwed to a wall. My partner however objected to the reset clunk and I had to take it down. It's been stored in a box ever since. I bought a case from eBay at some time but too long ago to remember. In a house move 15 years ago, somehow the gathering arm and click has been lost. Last week I visited the Porthcurno Telegraph museum and saw two Synchronomes there working and it's sparked the desire to get mine out and running.
Picture included for interest. I've spent many hours searching the net for info and wonder if this pdf might be of interest to Willfletch as it contains a drawing of the arm: as well as tons of useful info. I've ordered a couple of jewels from Timesavers; Item: #47 Pallet Jewels 1.95-1.99mm (.0768.0783') Diameter (10590) but they will no doubt take a while to arrive arrive.
Info gained from another thread on this forum. Some queries! From internet searches my movement appears to be a type II which seems to date it post 1962. The serial number is 2758, which from another website puts it at 1940. Any thoughts on that? The case I bought has plain rounded corners that seems to have been introduced in 1948. It's on the bench at this moment awaiting refinishing.
Current Time
I found that the original 'varnish' was hard and very scratched so removal was necessary. I tried varnish remover but it was hopeless and made a filthy sticky mess. Then I found that it will scrape of quite easily with a scraper. I used an old plane blade. Hi willfletch. As a relatively new owner of a type 1 Synchronome but a clock collector of many years, I faced a steep learning curve when I acquired mine.
Although my example was in superb shape with only a steel gathering pallet to return to its jewelled state (it had been used in a church as opposed to a mucky factory) several adjustments were way out and I could not get it to run on its recommended current of 330mA. However by following the detailed instructions available on the web (try ) and other documents available through my membership of The Antiquarian Horological Society) my clock has been running faultlessly for over six months on three C cells.
There is also an excellent book available called 'Synchronome, Masters of Timekeeping' by Robert H A Miles (ISBN 978-0-901180-50-6) which gives a full history of the company, its products and a very helpful restoration chapter. Roger, the fact your clock's serial number appears at odds with its mark 2 status is not that unusual. Worn or defective parts were sometimes replaced by updated versions by service engineers over the years so that could be an explanation. Incidentally, could the varnish on your case actually have been shellac? Your clock is indeed a Mk II.
The serial numbers ran from 1 (probably) to a few over 6000 in the Mk i series. When Mk ii was introduced that was a new numbering series starting from 1 (?) again, and again running to about 6000+. Early Mk iis had a 'B' prefix to the serial number, but this seems to have been dropped in the low 100's numbers. It is therefore quite possible to have a Mk i and a Mk II with the same number. I can highly recommend Bob Miles's book - and can also recommend a visit to Porthcurno.
Jewels (as Brocot jewels) can be got in the UK from Meadows and Passmore. Your clock is indeed a Mk II.
The serial numbers ran from 1 (probably) to a few over 6000 in the Mk i series. When Mk ii was introduced that was a new numbering series starting from 1 (?) again, and again running to about 6000+. Early Mk iis had a 'B' prefix to the serial number, but this seems to have been dropped in the low 100's numbers.
It is therefore quite possible to have a Mk i and a Mk II with the same number. I can highly recommend Bob Miles's book - and can also recommend a visit to Porthcurno. Jewels (as Brocot jewels) can be got in the UK from Meadows and Passmore.
The major difference with the Mk IIs is the simpler casting, brass pillars being used instead of cast in bosses - and the shape of the brass 'bridge' plates. Mk I's also used crackle paint (from circa early 1930's) - but smooth matt paint before that. I would agree with your date estimate. When in good adjustment and on a solid wall at fairly steady temperature, a Synchronome should manage a few seconds a month accuracy. Incidentally, they can be made to run a little quieter by the following; Reduce current to approx 275 mA (this is a little less than factory standard, but works reliably - all other settings are normal 'factory' standard) Place foam damping between backboard and wall between battens (the battens should be hard on the wall) Ensure all felt pads etc are in good order Adjust gravity arm so that roller 'just' clears pallet. Adjust timing so that on impulse, roller just drops on the slope corner (minimise drop - which causes the noise). @ Snapper and John.
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Thank you both for the informative replies. Not meaning to hijack Willfletch's thread but probably your replies may be useful to him a s well. The Bob Miles book is a little pricey for me at the moment but I do have the Hope Jones book and have just finished reading it from cover to cover.
Work on the case is temporarily halted while the woodworm treatment dries. Meantime this reawakened enthusiasm has got me also restoring a 1950 Gents Pul-sin-etcic which is completely in pieces including the case.
So cabinet work on that is proceeding in parallel with the synchronome. The Synchronome case might well be shellac'd. I couldn't think of the name at the time I posted so put 'varnish' in quotes! The dating info is appreciated - so mine is quite a late one. Was the oak, plain rounded corner design, introduced in 1948, still current in 1975?
The meadows and Passmore website will not load this morning but when it does I'll have a look. Although too late for me to get the jewels there it sounds like a place to use in the future. When I do get the jewels I will need to know if the alignment of the flat face is at right angles to the wire arm?
I also have a PO no.36 which has been running for the past 11 years. (As well as a second Gents Pul-syn-etic in perfect condition that I've never had running ) The box containing the dismantled Gents also had some notes in it of a design I concocted some years ago for a free pendulum with an optical/digital hipp toggle.
Is this old hat know and there are published designs for such a clock? I have collected most of the the parts needed and would still like to build it. I will check out the noise reduction/setup info, John, when I get it running.
@ Snapper and John. Thank you both for the informative replies. Not meaning to hijack Willfletch's thread but probably your replies may be useful to him a s well.
The Bob Miles book is a little pricey for me at the moment but I do have the Hope Jones book and have just finished reading it from cover to cover. Work on the case is temporarily halted while the woodworm treatment dries. Meantime this reawakened enthusiasm has got me also restoring a 1950 Gents Pul-sin-etcic which is completely in pieces including the case. So cabinet work on that is proceeding in parallel with the synchronome. The Synchronome case might well be shellac'd. I couldn't think of the name at the time I posted so put 'varnish' in quotes! The dating info is appreciated - so mine is quite a late one.
Was the oak, plain rounded corner design, introduced in 1948, still current in 1975? The meadows and Passmore website will not load this morning but when it does I'll have a look. Although too late for me to get the jewels there it sounds like a place to use in the future. When I do get the jewels I will need to know if the alignment of the flat face is at right angles to the wire arm? I also have a PO no.36 which has been running for the past 11 years.
(As well as a second Gents Pul-syn-etic in perfect condition that I've never had running ) The box containing the dismantled Gents also had some notes in it of a design I concocted some years ago for a free pendulum with an optical/digital hipp toggle. Is this old hat know and there are published designs for such a clock? I have collected most of the the parts needed and would still like to build it. I will check out the noise reduction/setup info, John, when I get it running. Click to expand.The rounded top case was used between 1949 and 1960.
From then on, it seems the movements were offset to the right with a vertical wooden strip to the left of the case front and the movement hidden behind black glass. Only the pendulum bob was visible behind clear glass.
I am assuming your clock has a rectangular dial. The jewel when fitted to the gathering wire should have the flat face at right angles to the wire and facing the opposite end. Only the flat face engages the count wheel tooth. H S Walsh also supplies the Brocot jewels in two diameters.
Auction: Location: Marlborough Date / Time: February 25, 2014 10:00AM Description: Synchronome Master Clock, England, c. 5197, with 6-in. Twenty-four-hour dial with subsidiary seconds, electromagnet coils covered in black, seconds pendulum with invar rod, all in a rounded corner oak case, ht. Estimate $300-500 Several plugged holes in case back.
Synchronome Master Clock
One glue block missing and one is loose. The absence of a condition statement does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of aging. Condition requests can be obtained via email (lot inquiry button) or by telephone to the appropriate gallery location (Boston/617.350.5400 or Marlborough/508.970.3000). Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.