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Clocks, Watches/Ansonia Monarch Movement

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Expert: - 9/13/2010


Question
I bought an old Ansonia Monarch clock which is in pieces, but fortunately the pieces are in good shape.  My question is with the movement.  It appears to be original and fits the mounting holes, but the movement is a square shaped movement which chimes on a bell.  The movement looks more like an old Welch movement.  It runs and is in relatively good shape except for a great need for a good cleaning. It even has the winding stops you see on some of these old movements.  It is marked Ansonia Clock Company and Patented October 7 1876.  Could this be the original movement for the clock?  Most Ansonia movements I have seen have a rounded top and the bottom is generally rounded in the same arch as the top.  

Answer
Richard, I have seen quite a few differently shaped Ansonia movments such as the rounded top, rectangular and completely round.  If the mounting holes match up and there is an official Ansonia logo on the movement, I would say it is an original Ansonia for the case.  I have just completed working on one that does have the stop work gears on it.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama  

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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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