When the clocks go back

As the seasons slowly move from one to the next, nature displays the changing of the summer months into Autumn with a generous kaleidoscope of colours.  The bright green leaves, on certain varieties of trees, begin to fade and transform into many shades of brown, yellow, orange, pink and red. The blending and tones of colours are strikingly eye-catching, some could be given specific names as can be specially blended in the paint section at DIY stores, like Burnt Sienna, Shell Pink or Mellow Yellow.

Whatever the season of the year, time ticks by, as the planet moves on at its own pace. Each one of the twelve months of the year are named, as are the days of the week. The planets tell us the beginning and ending of night and day and during the twenty-four hour time-period we rely on a manufactured object to represent and indicate which hour we are in or looking forward to.

Which leads on to the subject of clocks, particularly those that require winding with a key.

When looking at a clock we are asking it a question, “What is the time?”  At some time in the origins of the history of clock making inventions, it was decided that it makes perfect sense in naming a mechanically constructed, 'teller-of-the-time', as a 'CLOCK-FACE'.  Is the explanation simply that it is designed with a round shape, symbolising a human head and effectively it replies by giving us an answer, therefore telling us something? Paradoxically, it is a face with a pair of hands at its centre-point?

Any room, whatever shape, size, or however it is filled with any style of decor, contains a certain emptiness that is simply waiting to be completed with the reassuring presence of a ticking clock.

Similar to meeting and greeting an old friend who is instantly recognisable, so it is when your attention is drawn by the gentle rhythm of the ticking of a clock and its familiar face. The more the repetitive sound of a 'TICK-TOCK' is heard, the more soothing it becomes. 

Quickly looking at the digital display on the cooker, a hurried glance at a mobile phone display or the corner of a toolbar on the users laptop/desktop PC is convenient and informative with additional calendar date.  Also, it is possible to select a digital, numerical, old-fashioned clock-face which some will find appealing, still, nothing can replace the sublime 'tick-tock' of the winder clock.  The required necessity of a regularly winding of the clock with a key, is the essence of the charm of owning this type of clock. It gives the same satisfaction as winding a clock-work toy train or a musical-box. The action and movement is reflective of the gentle momentum, as in the movement of the natural pace of life.

(I hope you didn't forget to adjust the digital displays or turn the CLOCKS  back on Sunday October 29!)

Featured Antique

So now is the perfect time to introduce a feature of this newsletter, a beautiful antique clock designed and manufactured by J. D. Scotchmer of Islington, London, who was an clockmaker between 1875 and 1881 and is listed in the online Library index of Clock and Watchmakers. John Davis Scotchmer, took over the clockmaking business from his father Charles who was active from 1857 to 1869.

This classic older style English Dial Clock has a cast bezel and convex glass (later clocks moved to pressed bezels and flat glass to save on costs) The clock is wall mounted with a 12 inch dial and overall dimensions of 13 inches.

The clock is running and keeps good time (expect it to lose or gain a couple of minutes a week for a clock of this age)

This clock would look lovely in someone's kitchen, bringing style and character and of course the lovely sound of a real ticking clock.

Pop into our Shop at 28 Mill Street, St Peter Port, if you would like to see it in all it's glory.

Guide Price: £735