Transformed Clock: Junghans Crispi, from a conventional clock kit to a swinging timepiece!
Surviving the Halifax Explosion: The Remarkable Journey of the Junghans Crispi Clock
The Junghans Crispi clock, a timepiece with an extraordinary history, continues to captivate both horologists and history enthusiasts alike. This wall clock, manufactured in Schwenningen, Germany in 1899, is renowned for its survival of the Halifax Explosion on December 6, 1917.
Originally styled as a Vienna Regulator, the Junghans Crispi clock has stood the test of time, resonating with a terrific coil gong on the hour and half hour, its sound echoing throughout the house.
A testament to its resilience, the clock was found in a house on Princess court, North End Halifax after the explosion. Despite the extreme conditions it endured, the clock remained preserved enough to warrant restoration efforts. Enthusiasts describe the restoration challenges, particularly with the movement mechanism, indicating the clock’s continued functional and historical significance.
During the restoration process, the front glass and 2 side glass panels, 3 glass support rails, 3 top replacement finals, 2 newly constructed top finial bases, 2 brass door hinges, 2 brass door catches, 2 brass case stabilizers, 2 hardwood trim pieces, and 6 decorative buttons were added or made. The clock was also serviced by a horologist, and the solution for the run-on strike problem was found and applied quickly.
The Junghans Crispi clock is now fully restored, with the exception of two trim items on the left side and a corner piece on the right side of the case. The box frame and front piece that support the right and left columns were replaced thirty years ago.
The clock works perfectly, and visitors to the home are immediately drawn to it because of its unique Victorian style. The owner, who purchased the clock online in January 2017, expects the clock to be in the family for years to come.
For those interested in antique and vintage wall clocks, a video of the collection was made in January 2019. You can watch it here. The Junghans Crispi clock stands as a tangible piece of history, horologically and culturally linked to the Halifax Explosion event. Its survival and restoration are a testament to the clock's enduring charm and historical significance.
The owner proudly showcases the Junghans Crispi clock, a vintage wall clock that miraculously survived the Halifax Explosion, within their home. This antique timepiece, along with other fascinating vintage clocks, can be admired in a video posted in January 2019, featuring a collection of home-and-garden treasures, including fashion-and-beauty accessories and vintage lifestyle items.
