Expert: William J Perkins - 1/4/2010

Question
GREETINGS, I PURCHASED AN UNUSUAL GUSTAV BECKER 3 WEIGHT CLOCK MOVEMENT, IT HAS 2 STRIKE HAMMERS ON THE QUARTER STRIKE SIDE AND 2 SPRINGS IN CONTAINERS ON THE BACK PLATE 1 ON THE STRIKE SIDE AND 1 ON THE QUARTER STRIKE SIDE COULD YOU GIVE ME ANY INFORMATION ON THIS PARTICULAR MOVEMENT? THANK YOU. EDDIE  

Answer
What you have is a Grande Sonnerie a clock that strikes the hours and the quarters at each quarter.  For instance at 7:15 the 7 hours will be struck and then one quarter.  At 7:30, the seven hours and 2 quarters.  At 7:45 the hours and 3 quarters and so on.  As you face the clock the winding hole that drives the hour strike is on you right, the center hole is for the time and the left hole for the quarters hour strike.  I am very partial to Gustav Becker's clocks especially the Grande Sonnerie.  I have two in my personal collection and am very happy to have them.  If you will send me the serial number stamped upon the clocks brass backplate, I can tell you when the clock was made.  Send me all the information stamped upon that plate and I might be able to provide additional information.  Regards WJP