Anyone else appreciate old clocks?

[1066]

I've always liked, and tinkered about with, old clocks and this one caught my eye at a local auction a couple of weeks ago. It's a French battery electric master clock, made by Brillie, from the 1920's. These master clocks were very good quality and very accurate and were used in official government building etc. the Master clock would drive a series of slave "clocks" by send out an electric pulse every 30 seconds.

I left a bid and was quite surprised to find I had won it for £130 including sale fees.

Although it looks a bit sad, it's all there and I now have it running perfectly - the whole movement is mounted on an inch thick slab of marble and runs on a single 1.5v battery. These clocks were so energy efficient the original battery, no longer available, was reputed to last for 5-7 years. I have it running on a single AA battery at the moment but when I restore it I will 3d print a replica of the original battery.

[ovenpaa]

Yup and I have been known to work on them as well. I must admit to avoiding anything smaller than a pocket watch.

[Alpha1]

Yes I find them facinating.

[1066]

Found a new use for my cheap Teslong borescope.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGNQvL6pBz0

[ovenpaa]

Nice!

[Dark Skies]

I collect old Rolex military pocket watches - the ones that used to be contained in the dashboards of army trucks and radio sets. I wear them in 'wristlets'. A chap in Poland makes them for me.
It started off when my grandfather gave me a Rolex Type B. He rescued it from one of the many deliberately wrecked trucks he passed on his way to Dunkirk (he was one of the last to leave on the last trip of HMS Shikari ).
"Had I known how much money Rolex watches would fetch when they became fashionable I'd have filled my pockets with 'em!"
He carried it with him throughout the campaigns in North Africa and Italy. It still keeps perfect time.

I buy them broken / missing parts and do them up. The clever stuff I leave to professionals (but not Rolex - they wanted a cool £1000 to do a service!) - the most I've paid for a repair is £60! :)