A light, finely finished weight-driven movement between rectangular plates, designed to run on very little power in a slim glazed wall case, with high-grade examples approaching precision-regulator standards.
Generally unjewelled; the finest examples jewelled at the escapement
Frequency
Pendulum-regulated; seconds-beating on the best examples
Power reserve
Eight days, or a month on longer-duration examples
Winding
Weight driven, wound by pulling or by key depending on the arrangement
Setting
Hands set at the dial
Escapement
Deadbeat, with high-grade examples having jewelled pallets
Balance
Wooden or steel pendulum rod, frequently with rate adjustment at the rating nut
Complications
Striking on a gong on many examples, Seconds indication on precision examples
Identification features
Rectangular plates with slender wheelwork and very light weights
Grande sonnerie, striking and timepiece-only versions all exist and must be distinguished
Earlier Austrian work is generally lighter and more finely made than later German production
Known variants
Laterndluhr and Dachluhr case forms
Month-going examples
Later mass-produced German versions
Servicing notes
These movements run on so little power that any wear, thickened oil or out-of-beat pendulum stops them; cleaning and correct beat setting solve most complaints, and the weight lines must be checked before hanging.
General guidance only. Antique movements should be serviced by a qualified watchmaker.
Historical significance
The Austrian answer to the English regulator, and the form in which precision wall timekeeping reached ordinary households in central Europe.
Photographs
Vienna - Vintage Franz Zajizek Astronomical Clock machinery - 0537 — Jorge Royan, CC BY-SA 3.0. Wikimedia Commons file page
Josef Lorenz, In Wien, large Vienna regulator movement and d — invaluable.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (invaluable.com)
AN UNUSUAL VIENNA REGULATOR MOVEMENT WITH DUPLEX ESCAPEMENT AND ... — the-saleroom.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (the-saleroom.com)
Sold Price: VIENNA REGULATOR WALL CLOCK MOVEMENT IN REPRODUCTION CASE ... — invaluable.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (invaluable.com)
E. Howard No. 59 Vienna Regulator (Re-issue) | Cottone Auctions — cottoneauctions.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (cottoneauctions.com)
Bonhams : A late 19th century, Vienna regulator style, stained mahogany ... — bonhams.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (bonhams.com)
Bonhams : A rosewood cased, month-going Vienna regulator of 30 day ... — bonhams.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (bonhams.com)
Sold Price: German Vienna Regulator movements (only) and repair parts ... — invaluable.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (invaluable.com)
Hermle Delux Vienna Regulator Movement - Mechanical Clock Kits | Let's ... — letsmaketime.com.au, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (letsmaketime.com.au)
Antique 2 weight Vienna regulator with 8 day movement. — beauchampantiques.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (beauchampantiques.com)
Antique 2 weight Vienna regulator with 8 day movement. — beauchampantiques.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (beauchampantiques.com)
ANTIQUE VIENNA REGULATOR wall clock vintage large movement restored by ... — picclick.co.uk, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (picclick.co.uk)
19th Century Vienna Regulator Wall Clock in Walnut Case - Clocks - Wall ... — carters.com.au, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (carters.com.au)
Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.
Sources & references
Museum collection records for Austrian wall regulators
Attribution of unsigned Vienna regulator movements to individual makers is rarely secure.
Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.
