Crystal Regulator With Original Silver Plated Mercury Pendulum
Precision Japy Freres four-glass clock, commonly known in America as a crystal regulator, featuring full mechanical restoration, dial conservation preserving patina, case refinement, and custom hand-beveled glass replacement.
- RESTORATION STORY -
This late 19th-century Japy Frères four-glass regulator arrived partially disassembled and in poor condition, requiring extensive mechanical and cosmetic restoration. The following photo documentation illustrates the restoration process from arrival through final assembly and regulation. Detailed scope of work follows the gallery.
Clock arrived piecemeal with broken pendulum suspension spring and door glass. Dismantled, cleaned and inspected movement, mainsprings & barrels. Clock showed signs of prior work and was in poor condition with deep tarnish and scratches on all parts, including both movement and case. There was an overabundance of clock oil soiling both movement and case. The pivots and bearing surfaces were in excellent condition.
Movement was missing the two springs controlling the strike sequence rebound
Suspension spring was broken
Front door glass broken
Both mainsprings had cracked barrel hook holes
Note that the pendulum still has glass vials of mercury which are undoubtedly original to the clock from 1890. This is a significant feature for provenance, originality and value. The mercury vials are sealed properly and are not an environmental hazard as long as they remain intact.
Polished pivots
Installed new time and strike mainsprings
Replaced two missing strike rebound springs
Replaced broken suspension spring
Replaced broken beveled door glass requiring hand-beveling to fit in frame
Reassembled & oiled movement
Greased pallet levers
Polished all brass pieces, including wheels, movement back plate, case struts and plates, brass face bezel, preserving patina as necessary
Lacquered movement back plate, brass case struts and plates, brass face bezel
Dismantled, polished and lacquered silver-plated pendulum assembly
Bench tested movement for two weeks and regulated time
