161-T-1005

HOROLOVAR IGNATZ FLYING PENDULUM CLOCK
INDEX # : 161-T-1005

circa: 1965-1975

CLOCK STYLE Novelty (Reproduction)

CLOCK NAME Ignatz Flying Pendulum

MANUFACTURE
The Horolovar Company, Bronxville, NY. / movement made in Germany

CASE MODEL # N/A

MOVEMENT TYPE
30 hour brass movement with "flying pendulum" escapement

CASE SIZE & CONSTRUCTION Base=6 1/4", Height=10", Depth=2 3/4"
Case is made from white wood and stained a Mahogany color.

LABEL INFORMATION

Marked on back plate of movement:
"Horolovar / The Horolovar Co. / Bronxville, NY / Made in Germany

DIAL INFORMATION

Original paper dial in excellent condition, marked:
"Pat Oct 9th 1883", has Jerome & Co. insignia.

MISC. FEATURES

Very unusual (and very inaccurate) time keeper, that uses a flying pendulum ball for an escapement. The ball wraps around a post, first one direction, then the other, before swinging over to the post on the other side of the case and performing that same motion. The clock seems to loose about 6 minutes per hour, it is adjusted by the length of the tether, but haven't been able to get it to stay consistent.

ACQUIRED FROM Auction of clocks from the estate of Marx Richardson, Lonestar Chapter 124 One-Day.

CONDITION WHEN ACQUIRED

Case and movement in good running condition, winding knob is a replacement.

RESTORATION

October 2005 - Cleaned case and set clock to running.

HISTORICAL DATA

The original flying pendulum clock was invented, and patented, by Christian Clausen of Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1883. It has been called "the craziest clock in the world" due to the motion of the escapement. It was originally sold by the New Haven Clock Company (under the Jerome & Co. name) for about a year (1884-1885). It is reported that these clocks were sold to Jewelry stores to display in their windows to attract the attention of passing shoppers. It got the name "Ignatz" from Dr. Rowell (a noted clock collector) in 1935. Dr. Rowell felt this clock had the personality of Ignatz, the mouse in the old Krazy Kat comic strip. The name stuck as it is still called this today. The original New Haven Flying Pendulum clocks are quite rare. This reproduction was manufactured by the Horolovar Company between 1965 and 1975. The movement was made in Germany and was cased at Horolovar in Bronxville, NY.

REFERENCES 1. "Ignatz, The Craziest Clock in the World", NAWCC Bulletin No. 82, article by Charles O. Terwilliger, Jr.

NOTES What an interesting timepiece just to sit and watch!

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CLOCK STYLE	Novelty (Reproduction)
CLOCK NAME	Ignatz Flying Pendulum
MANUFACTURE	The Horolovar Company, Bronxville, NY. / movement made in Germany
CASE MODEL #	N/A
MOVEMENT TYPE	30 hour brass movement with "flying pendulum" escapement
CASE SIZE & CONSTRUCTION	Base=6 1/4", Height=10", Depth=2 3/4" Case is made from white wood and stained a Mahogany color.
LABEL INFORMATION	Marked on back plate of movement: "Horolovar / The Horolovar Co. / Bronxville, NY / Made in Germany
DIAL INFORMATION	Original paper dial in excellent condition, marked: "Pat Oct 9th 1883", has Jerome & Co. insignia.
MISC. FEATURES	Very unusual (and very inaccurate) time keeper, that uses a flying pendulum ball for an escapement. The ball wraps around a post, first one direction, then the other, before swinging over to the post on the other side of the case and performing that same motion. The clock seems to loose about 6 minutes per hour, it is adjusted by the length of the tether, but haven't been able to get it to stay consistent.
ACQUIRED FROM	Auction of clocks from the estate of Marx Richardson, Lonestar Chapter 124 One-Day.
CONDITION WHEN ACQUIRED	Case and movement in good running condition, winding knob is a replacement.
RESTORATION	October 2005 - Cleaned case and set clock to running.
HISTORICAL DATA	The original flying pendulum clock was invented, and patented, by Christian Clausen of Minneapolis, Minnesota in 1883. It has been called "the craziest clock in the world" due to the motion of the escapement. It was originally sold by the New Haven Clock Company (under the Jerome & Co. name) for about a year (1884-1885). It is reported that these clocks were sold to Jewelry stores to display in their windows to attract the attention of passing shoppers. It got the name "Ignatz" from Dr. Rowell (a noted clock collector) in 1935. Dr. Rowell felt this clock had the personality of Ignatz, the mouse in the old Krazy Kat comic strip. The name stuck as it is still called this today. The original New Haven Flying Pendulum clocks are quite rare. This reproduction was manufactured by the Horolovar Company between 1965 and 1975. The movement was made in Germany and was cased at Horolovar in Bronxville, NY.
REFERENCES	1. "Ignatz, The Craziest Clock in the World", NAWCC Bulletin No. 82, article by Charles O. Terwilliger, Jr.
NOTES	What an interesting timepiece just to sit and watch!