Clock of the day (4)

The fourth item for today is from Germany. Made by (or for) Dugena, it is a porcelain kitchen clock with an eight day timepice movement. It is the pendulum suspension however which is the interesting part here. It is difficult to see in the photos, but the pendulum is actually suspended from a sliding metal bar which is linked to the clock's hanging loop! That means when you take the clock down off the wall the pendulum is no longer suspended and lies loose in the case, potentially causing damage to the suspension spring. The hanging loop itself is on a hook and can become detached... another risky feature. If the idea was to prevent damage to the clock caused by moving it with the pendulum attached, I don't think this was the best way to go about it. However, it is interesting and rare! Also, note that the main wheel is at the 3 position although the winding square is at 6. It seems that the manufacturers deemed it necessary or safer for winding to be done clockwise, thus the extra gear wheel. All this despite the fact that there have always been (and probably always will be) clocks made with anticlockwise winding.

Of particular interest is the pendulum bob with it's markings for regulation, one of those typical German techno-touches which make their clocks particularly fascinating.