Hamburg American Clock Company's Shelf Clock - Initial Inspection
In early 2021, a unique piece of horological history found its way into the hands of a passionate clock collector. The acquisition was made at an estate auction, and the prized possession turned out to be a Hamburg American Clock Co. (HAC) shelf clock.
The HAC, a major American clock manufacturer established in the late 19th century, is renowned for producing a variety of mechanical clock movements, often marked with model numbers such as #36. This particular clock features a movement that is characterised by an 8-day duration, a time and strike mechanism, an anchor escapement, and suspended pendulum regulation. These features are typical of the HAC #36 movement, which was widely used in quality wall clocks of the early 1900s and is noted for its reliable craftsmanship.
Upon purchase, the owner discovered that the trademark on the backplate of the movement was hidden behind the pendulum leader. This intriguing detail added to the allure of the clock, which boasts plates that are almost 2 mm thick and a robust, well-engineered design with a certain industrialized look.
The owner, who already has a collection of German clocks including Junghans, Mauthe, Hermle, Jauch, Gufa, and potentially others, has added this HAC shelf clock to his collection. The clock, which was found during the Christmas season while the owner was in Calgary, Alberta, will undergo servicing of its movement. The owner is also currently working on refreshing the case of the HAC shelf clock.
Interestingly, the owner first became aware of the HAC mantel clock through a photo on the Ottawa Facebook Marketplace. This discovery was not the owner's only encounter with the platform, as a recent acquisition was also found on the same marketplace. The owner has sold a few clocks locally in the past year to trim down the collection, but the allure of the HAC shelf clock was too strong to resist.
As the owner delves deeper into the world of HAC clocks, they may uncover more about the history and characteristics of the Hamburg American Clock Co. #36 movement. For those seeking detailed historical catalogs, patent records, or restoration manuals for the H.A.C. #36 movement, specialized horology forums, clock collector guides, or dedicated antique clock resources might hold more precise data.
As he delves deeper into the world of HAC clocks, the owner might unearth more about the history and characteristics of the Hamburg American Clock Co. #36 movement. In his ongoing efforts to refresh the case of the HAC shelf clock, the owner plans to incorporate smart-home-devices to upgrade its functionality while preserving its vintage charm, merging the old with the new through gadgets and technology.
