Service Enhancement in Moncton's Double Spring Event - Continuation of the Movement's Maintenance
In the heart of Bloomfield, Ontario, a rare gem was found during a visit to an antique store in the fall of 2018. The Arthur Pequegnat Moncton wall clock, named after the City of Moncton in New Brunswick, Canada, was waiting to be discovered.
The Moncton clock, a model produced by Arthur Pequegnat, is a testament to the rich horological history of Canada. The Pequegnat Clock Company, founded by Canadian immigrant Arthur Pequegnat in 1904, was known for manufacturing both clock movements and cases domestically, producing a range of clocks including the popular Maple Leaf kitchen clock series.
The Moncton clock, with its solid wood case and well-engineered movement, is a prime example of the quality craftsmanship that the Pequegnat Clock Company was renowned for. Its unique features include the use of the Graham deadbeat escapement, a refined mechanical escapement mechanism that improves accuracy by reducing the pendulum’s recoil, thereby allowing more precise timekeeping.
The Moncton clock has two variations: a short and a long version, with the Second Issue featuring a rounded bottom with a middle cut-out. Clocks made before 1917 were known as the First Issue and had a tapered bottom piece.
During servicing, the Moncton clock's pivots were polished, mainsprings cleaned, and bushing holes pegged out. The assessment prior to servicing revealed that the movement's lantern pinions and pivots were in good condition for its age, and the mainsprings were half the width of a typical time-only American clock's mainsprings. The servicing process required less than half a day of time, a testament to the clock's robust construction.
The Arthur Pequegnat Moncton wall clock is a rare find due to the rarity of certain wall clocks from the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Co. Its association with a solid construction, robust movements, conservative designs, and nationalism makes it a unique collectible and an important part of early 20th-century Canadian horological history.
In conclusion, the Arthur Pequegnat Moncton wall clock is more than just a timepiece. It is a piece of history, a symbol of Canadian craftsmanship, and a testament to the ingenuity of the Pequegnat Clock Company. For those with an appreciation for horology and Canadian history, the Arthur Pequegnat Moncton wall clock is a treasure worth seeking.
[1] "Arthur Pequegnat Clock Co." Encyclopedia of Ontario Biography, 2008. [2] "The Graham Deadbeat Escapement." Clock Collecting, 2021.
- The vintage Arthur Pequegnat Moncton wall clock, discovered in an antique store in Bloomfield, Ontario, is a treasure for those with an appreciation for horology and Canadian history, as it reflects the rich horological lifestyle and home-and-garden aesthetics of early 20th-century Canada.
- The unique Arthur Pequegnat Moncton wall clocks, with their solid wood cases, technical advancements like the Graham deadbeat escapement, and association with the Pequegnat Clock Company's renowned quality craftsmanship, highlight the intersection of vintage clocks, technology, and nationalism in the home-and-garden and lifestyle sectors.
