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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Longcase regulator

Roland Jarvis month-going longcase regulator with planetarium and perpetual calendar

Partially verified

This month-going, spring-driven longcase regulator is attributed by the source to Roland Jarvis of Hastings, dating to circa 1982. The ebonised case stands approximately 197 cm high with brass inlays, a rectangular glazed hood, a tapered trunk, and a brass-mounted plinth base. Its display includes an 8-inch planetarium, perpetual calendar with leap year indication, mean time, astronomical indications, tidal dial, and power reserve indication. According to the source, the substantial multi-plated single fusee movement features a deadbeat escapement with a 15-second remontoir and a gridiron pendulum with temperature compensation.

Roland Jarvis ebonised and brass-inlaid month-going longcase regulator with planetarium, full frontal view
Roland Jarvis ebonised and brass-inlaid month-going longcase regulator with planetarium, full frontal view — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
www.bonhams.com
Category
Clock · Longcase regulator
Maker / attribution
Roland Jarvis
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
63
Source-reported date
circa 1982
Country
United Kingdom

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Identity and Case Architecture

The clock is documented by Bonhams as a brass-inlaid, ebonised spring-driven longcase regulator standing 197 cm (6 ft 5.5 in) tall, attributed to Roland Jarvis of Hastings circa 1982. The ebonised case incorporates a rectangular glazed hood over a tapered trunk with a shaped glazed door panel, set upon a brass-mounted plinth base.

Visual observations record a tall ebonised wooden case detailed with light-toned metallic brass inlay framing. A shaped, arched glazed aperture in the tapered trunk door exposes the pendulum assembly, and the plinth base displays a curved brass inlaid semicircular design.

Evidence for this section
  • “The ebonised case with rectangular glazed hood over a tapered trunk with shaped glazed panel to the door, raised on a brass-mounted plinth base.”
  • “197cm (6ft 5.5in)”
  • “Tall ebonised wooden case with light-toned metallic brass inlay framing.”
  • “Plinth base accented by a curved brass inlaid semicircular motif.”

Astronomical and Calendar Dial Scheme

The dial complex centers around an 8-inch planetarium with a central month and astronomical display. Directly beneath are opposing dials for local time and day alongside a perpetual calendar showing leap year cycles.

The lower dial configuration features concentric rings indicating mean time, age of the moon, and an annual calendar. According to the catalogue description, additional indications include sunrise and sunset, solar and lunar positions, a revolving spherical moonphase, tidal dial, nodal hands, and a state of wind (power reserve) dial.

Evidence for this section
  • “The 8 inch planetarium with central month and astronomical dial over opposing local time/day dial and perpetual calendar dial with leap year indication”
  • “over the concentric mean time, age of moon and annual calendar dials, with sunrise/sunset, solar and lunar position, revolving spherical moonphase, tide, nodal hands and state of wind dials.”

Reported Movement and Pendulum Specifications

The movement mechanism is reported in the auction catalogue as a substantial multi-plated single fusee movement operating on a month-going duration, governed by a deadbeat escapement to a 15-second remontoir. The mean time train is noted to use epicyclic gearing, while the subsidiary trains are individually constructed on sub-frames.

The pendulum is described as a steel and aluminium gridiron construction fitted with an elliptical brass bob and incorporating temperature indication. In the photograph, the gridiron frame and circular brass bob are visible suspended through the glazed trunk aperture.

Evidence for this section
  • “The substantial multi-plated single fusee movement with deadbeat escapement to the 15 second remontoir and mean time train with epicyclic gearing, the subsidiary trains each built on sub-frames.”
  • “The steel and aluminium gridiron pendulum with elliptical brass bob and temperature indication.”
  • “Visible pendulum assembly with gridiron frame and circular brass bob suspended within the trunk window.”

Open research questions

  • Are there signature plates, stamps, or serial markings on the movement sub-frames or dial plates confirming Roland Jarvis's workshop?
  • How is the temperature indication mechanism integrated into the steel and aluminium gridiron pendulum structure?
  • What spring dimensions and fusee barrel layout provide the month-long running reserve?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Roland Jarvis month-going longcase regulator with planetarium and perpetual calendar
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Maker and LocationRoland Jarvis, Hastings“Roland Jarvis, Hastings, circa 1982”
Movement ConstructionSubstantial multi-plated single fusee movement with deadbeat escapement to 15-second remontoir“The substantial multi-plated single fusee movement with deadbeat escapement to the 15 second remontoir”
Height197 cm (6 ft 5.5 in)“197cm (6ft 5.5in)”
Planetarium Diameter8 inches“The 8 inch planetarium with central month and astronomical dial”
Movement Duration and DriveMonth-going, spring-driven single fusee“A FINE MONTH-GOING, BRASS-INLAID, EBONISED SPRINGDRIVEN LONGCASE REGULATOR”
Escapement and RemontoirDeadbeat escapement to 15-second remontoir“deadbeat escapement to the 15 second remontoir”

Visible details

  • Tall ebonised wooden case with light-toned metallic brass inlay framing.
  • Upper rectangular hood enclosing an extensive astronomical and calendar dial complex with an arched surround.
  • Tapered trunk door featuring a shaped, arched glazed aperture.
  • Visible pendulum assembly with gridiron frame and circular brass bob suspended within the trunk window.
  • Plinth base accented by a curved brass inlaid semicircular motif.

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement gearing, fusee, and remontoir mechanism are not visible in the photograph and rely entirely on catalogue statements.
  • Attribution to Roland Jarvis and the circa 1982 date are source-reported.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Bonhams : A FINE MONTH-GOING, BRASS-INLAID, EBONISED SPRINGDRIVEN LONGCASE REGULATOR WITH PERPETUAL CALENDAR, PLANETARIUM, TIME OF SUNRISE/SUNSET, TIDAL DIAL, POWER RESERVE, AND 15 SECOND REMONTOIR Roland Jarvis, Hastings, circa 1982

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 28158f487f

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.