Metamec Collection

Until recently the main focus of my clock collecting has been on Smiths clocks, but recently I've acquired a number of Metamec clocks. Here is a series of photos showing my Metamec clocks:

Battery Clock using an the electro-mechanical Junghans (German made) movement.

Electric mains driven synchronous clock - in pink! This is a classic 1950s Retro clock.

Another mains driven synchronous clock (also in pink!)

Quartz carriage clock -Model 4975. This is a pretty cheap clock made mostly of plastic with a thin brass coating. I generally avoid quartz clocks but since this clock was a Metamec I bought it. (I bought it today at a car boot fair)

8 day mechanical Metamec clock. The movement was made in France. I had an unfortunate accident with this clock just before I took the photo - I dropped it and broke the glass... sob...

Synchronous alarm clock with a 'Lighted Dial'

There is a book about Metamec clocks: called 'Metamec the Clockmaker Dereham' which I'll hopefully be buying in the next couple of months.

Metamec 845

This Metamec model 845 synchonous alarm clock was made from the late 1950s until the mid 1970s:

Model 845

The Metamec clock factory in Dereham, Norfolk produced clocks from 1947 until 1984. It was one of the largest clock makers in the UK.

The reflection in the clock face gives away how I took the photo ;)

Clocks

Last Sunday I had a pretty successful shopping spree at two car boot sales in Bedfordshire (Pulloxhill and Lidlington). Here is a photo of what I bought:

Many thanks to N&N for the help finding these clocks! Click here to read Nat's version of this 'shopping' adventure.

Clock detail from left to right:

• Bertina 8 day wooden mantle clock (middle row, left) - Condition: okay, but unfortunately the mechanical movement has been replaced with a quartz movement.
  


• Blue Metamec 8 day wall clock (front row, left) made in England, with a mechanical movement made in France. Condition: okay but needs a good clean.
  


• Smiths lantern clock (back row, left) - quartz movement, made in 1979 - model: Durham 79q. Condition: Poor and not running properly
  


• Mini quartz lantern clock (middle row, left) - 'Park Lane' . Condition: Good, after replacing the battery.
  


• Timemaster mantle clock (middle row, middle) - made in Great Britain, mechanical movement. Condition: poor
  


• Smiths mantle clock (back row, right) - mechanical 30 hour movement - model: Burgrove 1954 to 1958. Condition: poor, but it does still run.
  


• Mantle clock (middle row, right) - mechanical movement - made in Scotland. Condition: okay, and still works
  


• Truimph Ingersoll pocket watch (front row, right) - mechanical movement. The watch is in pieces - I hope nothing is missing. Condition: dismantled
  

(Note: I intend to take all these clocks apart, clean them up, and hopefully get them running again.)

Wrest Park

Wrest Park is an English Heritage property in Bedfordshire. It was the home to the De Grey family from the 13th century until 1910. The magnificent manor house is surrounded by 90 acres of impressive gardens including rivers, lakes, wildlife, many statues and most important a sundial and clock tower!

Good friends N&N took us to Wrest Park for a picnic lunch over the weekend. Here are some of the photos I took:

Sundial in the gardens of Wrest Park

Sundial and statue in the gardens

Clock Tower and statue in the gardens

The clock tower has a stone with the following inscription:

The first stone of this building was laid by Thomas Philip Earl De Grey
on the XII th day of February MDCCCXXXIV

(12th February 1834)

More information about Wrest Park: www.english-heritage.org.uk

PS Thanks N&N for taking us to visit Wrest Park and a fantastic weekend.

Smiths Ringer Timer

This is a Smiths 5 hour mechanical (hand wound) timer, produced from 1969 to 1971 - model number QLR 900. I was lucky to get the timer in it's original box!

Smiths Ringer Timer - model number QLR 900

Eleven minutes to go... the red dial shows the number of hours left.

The text on the box is:

Smiths Ringer Timer

Instructions:
To set the timer turn dial clockwise past setting line then back to time required
This action automatically winds the mechanism and starts the movement.

For a period of less than five minutes turn the dial past 5 then back to the required setting.

This box is not suitable for transmission through the post without additional protective packaging.

Made in Great Britain