Internet Horology Club 185
Seth Thomas Mini Beauty

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/9886029761/m/4591065002

January 18, 2006, 21:57
Tom Seymour
Seth Thomas Mini Beauty
This clock is part of the Will Roseman collection that is visiting my shop at the moment.

While this looks pretty much like an average clock at first glance, a closer look makes is a real treasure. The detail and quality is a cut above.




Tom
January 18, 2006, 21:58
Tom Seymour
One of the real attractions of this clock is its size. From the first picture you can't relly tell, but here next to a Seth Thomas sonora you can see that its small size, only 9.5 inches, makes it quite attractive.




Tom
January 18, 2006, 22:02
Tom Seymour
The dial is porcelain and the glass is convex and beveled.




Tom
January 18, 2006, 22:04
Tom Seymour
It appears to be the Essex model from around 1913.
This picture is from Tran's Seth Thomas book.




Tom
January 18, 2006, 22:05
Tom Seymour
The 48J movement was first shown in the 1917 catalogue.

If there is interest, I will take some pictures of the movement when I get it out of the case.




Tom
January 18, 2006, 22:08
Tom Seymour
The movement is a nice compact little round time and strike movement. It appears at first that it has springs in barrels, but actually they are in round "boxes".




Tom
January 19, 2006, 11:05
Joseph T. Collins
Hi Tom,
I just serviced a 48R movement from a ballon cased "Savoy" c1905. The pendulum had a cylindrical bob (brass) approx. 3/4" in diameter and 1 1/2" long. The overall length of the complete pendulum was approx. 6".
I would like to know your thoughts on the tension spring that rides on the center arbor.
Regards,

Joe
January 19, 2006, 14:42
Tom Seymour
Joe,
I don't have the movement out of the case yet. I have a couple of clocks to get to before this one. When I do get it out, I will take a look at what you are referring to. It has been too long since I have done one of these movements to remember exactly what you are asking about. As soon as I get it out I will take some pictures and we can discuss it from there.

This clock did not have the cylindrical bob, but rather the traditional disc. I will also include a picture of that when I get it on the bench.

Do you have any pictures of the 48R?


Tom
January 20, 2006, 21:55
Grant Perry
Hi Tom:
Nice clock. Great dial. What $ does Tran put on these?
gp


Grant Perry
January 20, 2006, 22:33
Tom Seymour
Tran's book has it at $325.00


Tom
January 21, 2006, 09:56
Joseph T. Collins
Tom,

I only took one picture of the 48R movement which was a picture of the tension spring I mentioned in the earlier post. Below is a picture of the clock along with the picture of the spring. Like your clock this "Savoy" has beveled, convex, lense.

Joe


January 21, 2006, 10:09
Tom Seymour
That looks interesting. Offhand I can't think of what it might be for. I will let you know what the 48J has when I get it apart.


Tom
January 21, 2006, 23:00
Grant Perry
Hi Tom:
Great timing for this topic. Here is one I picked up today from a gent in our club. He tells me he thinks itis the Tudor?? Can you check in your book for me? Looks similar to yours, but notice the top is rounded and the case appears much more thin walled.
Best regards,
Grant

c



Grant Perry
January 21, 2006, 23:01
Grant Perry
case

case



Grant Perry
January 22, 2006, 19:51
Tom Seymour
Grant, How tall is that one?


Tom
January 24, 2006, 21:59
Grant Perry
Hi Tom:
The case is 8.75 inches.
Best regards,
Grant


Grant Perry
January 24, 2006, 23:12
Tom Seymour
Grant,
You do indeed have the "Tudor".
Here is the info from Tran's Seth Thomas book.




Tom
January 25, 2006, 06:10
Greg Reeves
Joe, Is your photo of the inside of the back plate?
January 25, 2006, 10:35
Joseph T. Collins
Yes Tom, the spring is inside and bears on the center arbor as shown. One of the guys on the Green board said it was to keep the slack under control so it will be as accurate the first 30 minutes of the hour as it is the last 30. Makes sense as there is almost 2 minutes slack in the one I worked on. The center arbor is not "in" the drive train it is along side of it. The only preassure it is subjected to is that required to drive the motion work.

Joe
March 15, 2006, 21:27
Tom Seymour
Here is an update on this cute little clock.

It is perking away keeping great time.




Tom
March 15, 2006, 21:28
Tom Seymour
back.




Tom
March 15, 2006, 21:29
Tom Seymour
Strike train




Tom
March 15, 2006, 21:29
Tom Seymour
both trains

Joe, this one does have the bar type spring riding on the center post. I would imagine it is, as ws mentioned, to keep any play out of the minute hand as it changes from before and after halfway points around the dial.




Tom