www.mcguiresclocks.com
Model 250 was the flagship clock of the HERSCHEDE HALL CLOCK COMPANY line. This clock was shown at expositions in New York, London, Tokyo, and Paris. According to Herschede, it was, “... world-renowned, one is even inside the Kremlin and it is found in the finest estate homes throughout the world.”
Herschede sales literature described the limited edition model 250 as the “world’s finest grandfather clock.” This was the last model Herschede made before closing its doors. A true piece of working art. Precision-crafted completely by hand.
The nine-tubular bell movement, made entirely by Herschede, plays 3 chime tunes. Westminster (an exact duplication of the Westminster Abbey chimes), Whittington, and the exclusive-to-Herschede, Canterbury Chimes.
The 14-karat gold-plated dial was hand-engraved and even the rivets that affix the dial to the faceplate were silver-plated. According to Herschede, no shortcuts were taken in the manufacture of this clock
The case consists of rare burled veneers of Spanish Olive Ash or Acacia that were cut and matched by hand one at a time, then burnished and hand-polished to enhance beauty. A specially compounded and applied finish creates the appearance of a 200+-year-old antique.
According to Herschede, 108 feet of antique strip brass was carefully applied and meticulously hand-mitered around the entire case to enhance the case's beauty. Thick beveled plate glass panels were inset into the front door and side panels permitting one to see the brass weights and nickel-cadmium/chrome chime tubes inside. Even the inside of the cabinet is completely finished. Herschede lovers believe this may possibly be the finest timepiece ever made; well, certainly it was a “blaze of glory” accomplishment for the firm.
The moon dial was painted by hand and features two moons and two seascapes. One seascape is a three-mast schooner passing a lighthouse point. The second seascape is a cabin scene at the ocean's edge. As the moon rotates on the date dial it moves in small daily increments rotating the two seascape scenes following the moon's phases.
There are two dial-mounted controls, one on each upper corner of the clock face. The left control selects which one of the three available chime tunes to be played. The right control allows you to silence the chimes. There is an additional lever on the left side of the face that allows you to turn off the hour strike.
Key Features:
Triple 14-karat gold-plated hand-engraved faceplate
The center of the dial face is table lace (not a mirror image)
The nine Nickel Cadmium chime tubes are larger and longer than other Herschede clocks (standard Herschede tubes are 1.375” in diameter, while this clock’s chime tubes are 1.5” in diameter.) The tubes weigh approximately 82 pounds.
The solid brass continuous piano hinge on the door.
The door is "Mummy case" style, 45-degree miter fit.
100% finished imported Spanish Olive Ash Burl or Acacia Burl
108 feet of solid strip brass trim, requiring 1 1/4 days of hand labor to meticulously fit around the case
True Bombay base, wood was split, soaked, heated, and bowed into shape
Height 87", Width 25", Depth 15.25"
Clock Net Weight (approximately) 270 lbs