Timekeepers' Mantel Clock - Primary Winding Spring Damage
In the world of Canadian horology, two short-lived companies, the Fleet Time Company and the Blackforest Clock Company, have left their mark.
The Fleet Time Company, which operated between 1936 and 1940, was based in Montreal, Canada. The company was known for producing two and three-train mantel clocks with movements sourced from Germany. These clocks, with their distinctive pendulums and spring-driven mechanisms, strike on three rods, producing a distinctive 'bim-bam' sound.
One of the unique features of the Fleet Time Company's clocks is the location of the star striking wheel on the movement's outside rear plate. However, the specific models or types of clocks from the Fleet Time Company of Canada remain unspecified.
The author of this article is currently seeking information about the maker of a nondescript mantel clock from the Fleet Time Company, expressing a desire to see the clock running as a piece of Canadian horological history.
Meanwhile, the Blackforest Clock Company, founded in 1928 in Toronto, Ontario, imported clock movements and complete clocks from Germany and sold them through department stores. The company's wood cases for some models were made in Canada, while others were imported from Germany.
Unfortunately, both companies were affected by the Second World War. The Fleet Time Company, in an effort to avoid sourcing from Axis powers during the war and beyond, likely turned to more secure or domestic suppliers. On the other hand, the Blackforest Clock Company continued to import from Germany, but the war's disruptions and hazards led to a drying up of movement sources.
The condition of the clocks from both companies is not ideal. The cases have suffered dents, gouges, and scratches, and the tinted lacquer finishes do not survive well over time. Despite this, these clocks remain valuable pieces of Canadian horological history.
As we delve deeper into the history of these Canadian clock companies, we hope to uncover more about their operations, their unique features, and the stories behind their clocks. Stay tuned for more updates on this fascinating journey through Canadian horology.
The Fleet Time Company's vintage mantel clocks, boasting German clock movements and distinctive sound, have become valuable pieces of data-and-cloud-computing-independent Canadian horological history, with the specific models still waiting to be discovered. On the contrary, the Blackforest Clock Company, despite facing challenges during World War II, had integrated technology by importing clock movements from Germany, creating a blend of traditional design and modern manufacturing processes.
