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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock type · Precision

Store Regulator Clocks

Partially verified

Large, impressive American wall clocks intended for shops and public spaces, often advertising accuracy.

Movement & mechanism

  • Weight-driven eight-day movements
  • Seconds-beating pendulum
  • High-quality movements with maintaining power

Identification

  • Large rectangular case with glass door
  • Bold 'Regulator' lettering on the glass in many examples
  • Simple, clear dial for easy reading

Terminology

  • Jeweler's regulator
  • Maintaining power
  • Seconds pendulum

Known variations

  • Seth Thomas No. 2, Howard No. 70 style variants

Collecting notes

Condition and originality are paramount. For technical clocks like regulators or atmospheric clocks, the completeness of the original mechanism is more important than case condition. For decorative clocks (Boulle, Empire), the quality of the case craft is central.

Diagram

escape wheelpallets and leveroscillator
Schematic: escapement arrangement. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Sources & references

  1. Britten, F. J., Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers
  2. Loomes, B., The Early Clockmakers of Great Britain
  3. Roberts, D., British Skeleton Clocks
  4. Museum catalogue records

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.