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Clocks, Watches/Ansonia Victory Clock

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Expert: - 10/29/2010


Question

Ansonia Vicory Clock
Hello
I am in Australia and own an Ansonia "Victory" mantle clock.

I am trying to research this clock and note that all the images I find on the web show the clock face with roman numerals - mine however has standard numbers.  
Would that mean that mine has been repaired?
Did they make them like mine?  
Is mine being different good or bad?
I would be interested to know if you can offer any other information on my clock.

It is difficult to find experts on American Clocks in Australia.

Answer
Nikki, I am not sure of the answer.  I will try to do some further research and send an inquiry to my Internet Clocksmiths Group.  It could be that the original dial was damaged and a substitute was replaced from a similar Ansonia clock with the Arabic numerals.  And I have seen catalog photos of factory clocks with different parts such as pendulums.  In some cases, factories might run out of an item but have something similar to install to keep from holding up deliveries.  In the case of your clock this is supposition.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

Nikki, I just received an answer from one on my Internet Clocksmiths members:

"John,

Yes, the factories were not nearly as fussy as we are about wanting everything to be "original."  If they ran out of the dial, pendulum, painted glass, or whatever that belonged in a certain model, they installed whatever was on hand until they could make another batch of the right one."

So, that pretty will confirms my answer.  It in no way detracts from the value of the clock.  I hope this helps a little.

John Newman  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you so much for getting back to me so quickly. What a wonderful service :)


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John Newman

Expertise

As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.

Experience

One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.

Organizations
Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee

Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.

Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)

Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama) Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)

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