1920 (B20) Junghans Westminster Chime Tambour Mantel Clock

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Presented today is a large, tambour-style mantel clock, made by the Junghans Clock Company of Germany in the second half of 1920. This example is one of Junghans' finer clocks, with striking curved and carved wings, rolled ends, and applied ebony scrollwork at the front. Measuring a hefty 24 inches across, and about 8 inches deep, this clock definitely needs a larger than average mantel to make itself at home. It features a 7-inch dial, large raised Arabic numerals, and a hefty bezel with thick, beveled glass.

Inside the case is an 8-day, spring-powered, pendulum-driven movement, which runs for eight days on a winding. This is one of Junghans' largest mantel clock movements, with an escapement rated at 140 beats per minute. Stamped on the movement is a date code of B20, indicating the clock was made in the second half of 1920.

This is a three-train, time, chime, and strike clock. It chimes progressively longer segments of the Westminster melody every fifteen minutes, on four bottom-mounted, vertical chime rods. At the top of the hour it plays the full tune, then strikes the number of hours on a large and incredibly resonant coiled gong. The contrast between the chime and strike is quite astonishing on this clock, and each strike on that gong is heard several rooms away.

Sadly, the chime-side mainspring on this clock is broken, and winds only about a turn and a half before releasing. I am hoping to be able to gather enough funds to repair it some time in the not too distant future. That said, I hope you enjoy it as it is. It is most definitely one of the highlights of my collection!