Jewel Dial Restoration Case Study Continues: A Look at Inpainting Techniques (Part II)
Painstakingly Restoring a Gorgeous Antique Clock: A Closer Look
Alright, buckle up, folks! I'm about to take you on a thrilling journey as we dive into the world of antique clock restoration. Today, we're focusing on the Pequegnat Jewel, but first, let's set the stage.
The Pequegnat Jewel, handcrafted before 1917, is one of the hidden gem mantel clocks, boasting the same case dimensions as the Simcoe. However, it lacks some eye-catching embellishments, making it an affordable option compared to other Pequegnat models. The city where this beauty was created? None other than Kitchener, then called Berlin. This little factoid helps us narrow down the production period, somewhere between 1904 (the earliest Pequegnat clocks were produced) and 1916.
But enough about the history lesson, let's get down to the main act - the restoration process!
In Part I, we carefully restored the dial using a technique known as inpainting. Inpainting is our secret weapon when faced with a dial riddled with damage or deterioration. We meticulously mix paint colors that closely mimic the original dial tones, then we gently apply these paints to the affected areas to create a seamless fusion of old and new.
Restoring a dial doesn't happen overnight - it requires patience, precision, and a keen eye for detail. After the second coat, we noticed that we still had some exposed metal peeking through, hinting that we would need at least one or two more coats to achieve the desired coverage.
For the next layer, we opted for a darker shade by adding a touch more brown, and we made the daring decision to go even darker for the following coat or two. As more paint layers piled up, we began to witness a remarkable transformation. The stark metallic appearance faded away, making way for a more appealing cream shade.
As we continued our work, we faced a curious conundrum regarding the bezels. Upon closer inspection, we noticed a significant difference between the glass surround and the dial bezel. The glass surround exuded a brassy gold hue, while the dial bezel seemed to adopt a bronze-like tone. It was time for some detective work! We considered variations in composition, but a closer look revealed something intriguing: small flakes of paint came off while cleaning the glass surround with a toothpick. It seemed that the glass surround had been painted gold.
With the fourth coat complete, the dial was fully brought back to life, and we could finally focus on the numerals. Using an artist's detail brush and a Sharpie Ultra fine-point pen, we painstakingly restored the numbers, using our Simcoe as a reference to recreate their original appearance. Once the paint had cured completely, the true test was upon us: would it hold up under close scrutiny or would it stand tall from a comfortable distance?
Well, we won't keep you in suspense. The dial was an improvement, but comparing it to the original remained a lofty goal. Yet, from a comfortable distance, the dial commanded attention and admiration.
Now that the dial is restored, the case has been cleaned, and the time and strike movement will soon be serviced, the Pequegnat Jewel clocks in at a formidable comeback. The restoration journey may have come with compromises, but the final result has been nothing short of satisfying.
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Happy tinkering! 🕰️🔧
The Pequegnat Jewel, a vintage mantel clock, boasts an intriguing mystery regarding its bezels: discovered to be painted gold, contrary to the bronze-like tone of the dial bezel, unveiling a possible variation in composition.In the midst of admiring the restored dial, thoughts turned to smart-home-devices, envisioning a seamless integration of traditional clock collecting and modern technology, such as mounting the Pequegnat Jewel on a mantel, perfectly complementing a gadget-filled living room.As technology advances and gadgets proliferate, the allure of a vintage clock collection persists, standing as a testament to craftsmanship and the charm of yesteryears, while the world of clock restoration continues to push the boundaries, transforming antiques into cherished timepieces.
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