M C Taylor Clocks

Description

A lovely and iconic G.W.R. wall clock in a mahogany case and numbered 3607.

The substantial, 8 day duration, chain fusee movement with stopwork to the winding, Anchor Recoil escapement, long pendulum and the backplate being stamped with the serial number "3607".

Behind a flat, painted iron dial with a cream coloured base paint, a divided minute track with triangular hour markings and black Roman hour numerals. The centre is written with "GWR 3607". The steel hands are robust and of 'spade' style. The dial is behind a spun brass, hinged bezel with a sight ring and flat glass.

Contained in a mahogany 'trunk dial' case of good, rich colour. The 3 piece dial surround has the typical GWR style cushioned moulding to the edge and the trunk has access doors to both sides. It is separated from the 1/4 round bottom by a moulding to 3 sides and the bottom has a locking and cockbeaded, curved regulation door. The lower left side of the trunk carries the original railway serial number plate. It is ivorine with black-filled engraving of "G.W.R. 3607".

This is absolutely typical of a G.W.R. trunk dial clock and it can be assumed that the case style and features are a statement of its authenticity. The G.W.R. records were destroyed by fire in 1984 so the clock's placement cannot be verified however, because of the case quality and the timber used, it is highly likely that it would have been in a well protected but very visible environment. This style of clock was practically invented by this railway company and has become iconic. Note: Ears were never applied to this style of case unlike similar clocks that were made for general non-railway use they were unnecessary and prone to damage - 'practical and robust' were the watchwords for railway clocks.