isnw_ecp“E COMMERCE PLAYER” SOUND FILES OF THE TOURAINE - 1913 ARE ATTACHED AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS LISTING – LISTEN, REVIEW, AND ENJOY
OFFERED TODAY FOR YOUR SPECIAL GIFT CONSIDERATIONS, OR FOR ONE’S COLLECTION, PERSONAL USE, OR ENJOYMENT, IS A CLASSIC, ELEGANT, AND SELDOM SEEN SETH THOMAS TOURAINE - 1913 DORIC TOP MAHOGANY TIME AND STRIKE FINE CABINET CLOCK - ONE OF THE BEST MID-SIZE ANTIQUE CABINET CLOCKS AVAILABLE FOR DISPLAY AND DECORATING IN THE HOME OR OFFICE SETTING.
THE “TOURAINE” TOOK ITS NAME AFTER THE FABLED PROVINCE OF TOURAINE IN THE HISTORIC AND FERTILE LOIRE RIVER VALLEY OF FRANCE. FRENCH CLOCK MAKING WAS ALSO ACTIVE IN THIS PERIOD OF THE EARLY 1900’S, WITH SEVERAL NOTED CLOCK MAKERS OPERATING IN THE PROVINCE FORMERLY KNOWN AS TOURAINE. THE SETH THOMAS CLOCK COMPANY RECOGINIZED A MARKET OPPORTUNITY, AND LIKEWISE BEGAN PRODUCTION OF FRENCH INSPIRED CLOCKS.
THE MOST NOTED AND SOUGHT AFTER SETH CABINET CLOCK IS THE “TOURAINE” BECAUSE OF ITS INSPIRED DESIGN, RICH MARQUETRIE AND INLAY WORK, AND THE HIGHEST GRADE COMPONENTS USED. FOR EXAMPLE, THE FINEST ROUND COUNT WHEEL MOVEMENT, SERIAL NUMBERED, WITH HARDENED PIVOTS, CUT PINIONS AND THICK POLISHED BACK PLATE IS IN THE TOURAINE.
THUS WITH THE “TOURAINE” SETH THOMAS PRODUCED A FRENCH INSPIRED CABINET CLOCK ON A LEVEL WITH THE FINEST FRENCH WORKS OF THE DAY, AND ALSO PRODUCED A FINE MOVEMENT EQUAL TO – EVEN BETTER - THAN THE SUPERB FRENCH MOVEMENTS OF THAT PERIOD.
THE TOURAINE - 1913 IS LISTED IN NOTED AUTHORITY TRAN DUY LY’S “SETH THOMAS CLOCKS AND MOVEMENTS” V1 3D EDITION PAGE 502.
DESCRIPTION AND FEATURES
THIS IS THE 1913 CATALOG VERSION OF THE TOURAINE, FACTORY EQUIPPED WITH A PREMIUM AND FLAWLESS 5 ½ INCH HEAT FIRED PORCELAIN DIAL WITH BLACK ARABIC NUMERALS, ACCOMPANIED BY THE SIGNATURE SETH THOMAS CUT BLUED STEEL FULL SPADE HANDS. THIS PARTICULAR TOURAINE IS FULLY AND METICULOUSLY RESTORED AND ALL ORIGINAL – JUST COMPLETED AND READY TO BE PLACED IN YOUR HOME OR OFFICE!!
THE TOURAINE’S LIGHT MOLASSAS COLOR DULL RUBBED RIBBON MAHOGANY AGED PATINA FINISH DISPLAYS IMMENSE CHARACTER. THE FINISH WAS RETAINED AND PRESERVED, AND WILL BE AN OUTSTANDING FIND FOR THE FORTUNATE FUTURE OWNER, AS THE TOURAINE CAN BE AN ADDITION TO ONE’S COLLECTION FOR INVESTMENT PURPOSES, AND/OR FOR DISPLAY IN A FEATURED AREA OF THE HOME.
THE TOURAINE HAS VERSATILE PLACEMENT FLEXIBILITY AND EXCELLENT PRESENTATION IN LITERALLY ANY AREA OF THE HOME, OR OFFICE FOR THAT MATTER. THIS SETH THOMAS IS A CHARMING AND EYE CATCHING DORIC ARCH CABINET CLOCK.
CABINET FEATURES INCLUDE:
· A FULL TRADITIONAL DORIC TOP, WITH GENTLE FLARES OUTWARD, CONNECTING TO THE SIDES VIA A PEDIMENT PORCH SURROUNDING THE TOP.
· INLAID MARQUETRIE DIRECTLY BELOW THE DORIC ARCH CROWN, AND ABOVE THE PEDIMENT PORCH, FOR ADDED INTRIGUE AND VISUAL APPEAL – DETAIL IS SHOWN IN SUPERSIZE PHOTO 4.
· ADDITIONAL INLAID MARQUETRIE ON THE FRONT BELOW THE DIAL FOR VISUAL EMPHASIS AND TO DRAW ATTENTION TOWARDS THE DIAL AND BEZEL AREA – DETAIL IS SHOWN IN SUPERSIZE PHOTO 5.
· INLAID MARQUETRIE BANDING ON EACH SIDE – DETAIL IS SHOWN IN SUPERSIZE PHOTOS 2 AND 3.
· THE TOURAINE IS COMPLETE, INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL PENDULUM AND ORIGINAL KEY. DETAIL IS SHOWN IN SUPERSIZE PHOTOS 1 AND 2.
· THE TOURAINE DORIC TOP MAHOGANY VENEER IS IN SUPERIOR CONDITION WITH NO REPARS OR PATCHES – NEARLY ALL TOURAINES HAVE SOME DEGREE OF REPAIR WORK – NOT THIS ONE. DETAILS ARE SHOWN IN SUPERSIZE PHOTO 7.
· SIDE STILES ARE GENTLY CURVED AND FLARED OUTWARD AT THE BASE FOR DESIGN APPEAL
· RAISED PEDIMENT BASE ACHIEVED BY EXTENDING THE SIDE STILES AND ADDING SCROLL WORK AT THE BASE
· POLISHED CAST BRASS BEZEL THAT SNAPS SHUT AND DOES NOT DROOP, WITH HEAVY CONVEX AND BEVELED GLASS – THE BEVELED GLASS IS PERFECT - A CLOSE IN VIEW OF THE BRASS BEZEL AND BEVELED GLASS IS SHOWN IN SUPERSIZE PHOTO 6.
· THE 5 ½ INCH WHITE HEAT FIRED PORCELAIN DIAL WITH VIVID BLACK ARABIC NUMERALS IS FLAWLESS. DETAILS ARE SHOWN IN SUPERSIZE PHOTO 6.
THE TOURAINE – 1913 IS A DELIGHT TO VIEW, AND JUST THE RIGHT SIZE - EASY TO DISPLAY IN ANY DECORATIVE SETTING. IT CAN BE PLACED PRACTICALLY ANYWHERE BECAUSE THE TOURAINE CAN BE ADMIRED BY ITSELF OR AS PART OF A DECORATIVE GROUPING.
YOU WILL LOVE THIS CLOCK!!! – I KNOW I DO – I ADMIT I LOVE THEM ALL BUT HAVE NO MORE DISPLAY ROOM!!!
I ASK THAT YOU ALLOW THE TEXT AND HIGH RESOLUTION SUPERSIZE PICTURES TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES!!!
ON THE DIAL THE TIME MAINSPRING WIND SHAFT IS LOCATED NEAR NUMERAL 5 AND THE STRIKE MAINSPRING WIND SHAFT IS NEAR NUMERAL 7. ABOVE THE NUMERAL 12 IS A SMALLER HOLE WITH ACCESS TO THE FASTER/SLOWER ADJUSTMENT SHAFT, USING THE OPPOSITE END OF THE CLOCK KEY.
THE BEAUTIFULLY AGED SHELLAC-OVER- MAHOGANY PATINA FINISH ON THE HIGH GRADE RIBBON MAHOGANY CABINET HAS BEEN PROFESSIONALLY PRESERVED, CONDITIONED AND RESTORED, RETAINING THE DESIREABLE DULL-RUBBED SATIN LUSTRE AND PATINA, AS WELL AS THE MUCH SOUGHT AFTER DARK HONEY RIBBON MAHOGANY COLORATION THAT IS ORIGINAL AND CORRECT FOR THE TOURAINE – THE APPEARANCE ACCENTS THIS CLOCK’S CHARACTER, BOTH AS AN ANTIQUE AND AS A DECORATIVE ACCESSORY WHEN DISPLAYED.
THE HALF HOUR IS SOUNDED ON A CATHEDRAL BELL SPIRAL GONG – THE SOUND IS MELLOW AND RESONANT, WITH A LOVELY LINGERING DECAY OF THE NOTE; THE HOUR COUNT FOLLOWS, WITH EACH HOUR ANNOUNCED AS A STRIKE ON THE CATHEDRAL BELL GONG. A CLOSE IN VIEW OF THE CATHEDRAL SPIRAL GONG IS SHOWN IN SUPERSIZE PHOTO 11.
PLEASE REMEMBER TO HEAR THE TOURAINE VIA THE ATTACHED E COMMERCE PLAYER SOUND FILES. THE NOTES STRUCK FROM THIS PARTICULAR CATHEDRAL GONG HAVE A WONDERFUL AND LINGERING DECAY. LISTEN AND YOU WILL HEAR WHAT I MEAN.
IN THE ANTIQUES TRADE, IT WAS RECENTLY NOTED THAT QUALITY ANTIQUE CLOCK MARKET VALUES CONTINUE TO RISE, DESPITE THE BEGINNINGS OF A LEVELING OFF AND PROJECTED DECLINE OF VALUES IN CERTAIN OTHER CATEGORIES OF ANTIQUES, PARTICULARLY FURNITURE. THE MOST SIGNIFICANT REASON GIVEN FOR ANTIQUE CLOCKS HOLDING AND GAINING VALUE IS THAT THEY WILL CONTINUE TO FIT AMERICA’S DECORATING LIFESTYLE, ESPECIALLY MANTLE SIZE CLOCKS AND OTHER STYLES THAT EFFICIENTLY USE SPACE, WHEREAS ANTIQUE FURNITURE AND OTHER LARGER ITEMS ARE NOT AS GOOD A MATCH FOR THE LIVING AND DECORATING LIFESTYLE OF NOW AND THE FUTURE. ONE THOUGHT IS FOR CERTAIN - A QUALITY ANTIQUE SETH THOMAS CLOCK WILL ALWAYS BE A FINE INVESTMENT!!!
THE HIGH RESOLUTION SUPERSIZE PHOTOS ARE PROVICED FOR YOU TO SEE ALL DETAILS OF THE CLOCK. THE PHOTOS REALLY DO NOT FULLY SHOW HOW NICELY THIS SETH SHOWS OFF – IT IS A BEAUTY!! THE CLOCK LOOKS EVEN BETTER WHEN VIEWED DIRECTLY THAN IN THE PHOTOS. THE TOURAINE - 1913 IS WELL PRESERVED AND FULLY RESTORED IN EVERY WAY. I TAKE GREAT CARE TO INSURE THAT EACH DISTINCTIVE CLOCK I OFFER IS SUPERB IN ALL RESPECTS!!!
RESTORATION AND TECHNICAL DETAILS
THE EIGHT DAY FINE ROUND SETH THOMAS MOVEMENT HAS BEEN PROFESSIONALLY DISASSEMBLED, INSPECTED AND CLEANED WITH ULTRASONICS. ALL WORN PIVOT BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED, AND BOTH THE TIME AND STRIKE MAINSPRINGS WERE REPLACED WITH HIGHEST GRADE MAINSPRINGS. MAINSPRINGS ARE A CRITICAL ENERGY LINK TO ASSURE EXTENDED AND RELIABLE LONG TERM PERFORMANCE.
ALL OPERATIONAL ASPECTS OF THE MOVEMENT WERE INSPECTED AND CORRECTED, IF NECESSARY, READYING THE MOVEMENT FOR YEARS AND YEARS OF SERVICE. THE MOVEMENT WAS THEN PROPERLY REASSEMBLED, LUBRICATED, TESTED AND ADJUSTED WITH BOTH ELECTRONIC AND MECHANICAL INSTRUMENTATION.
SUPERSIZE PHOTO 10 IS THE MOST IMPORTANT, FROM A MOVEMENT RESTORATION PERSPECTIVE. NOTICE, IN THE LOWER INSETS OF PICTURE 10, THE WIDE SWEEP AND ARC AMPLITUDE WIDTH OF THE PENDULUM BEAT ON THE RESTORED FINE ROUND MOVEMENT – THE AMPLITUDE WIDTH IS A FULL 3 3/8 INCHES AS MEASURED FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BOB AT LEFT SWING TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BOB AT RIGHT SWING. THIS FAR EXCEEDS THE MINIMUM SPEC OF 2 INCHES!!! THE ROBUST AMPLITUDE WIDTH INDICATES THE MOVEMENT IS IN THE HIGHEST STATE OF GOOD HEALTH, WITH VIRTUALLY NO FRICTION, NO DRAG, AND PLENTY OF RESERVE ENERGY FROM THE MAINSPRINGS.
AS INFORMATION, BEWARE IF A FINE ROUND COUNT WHEEL MOVEMENT HAS AN ANEMIC PENDULUM BEAT SWING BECAUSE IT IS A TALE-TALE INDICATOR OF POOR MOVEMENT HEALTH AND THE NEED FOR EXTENSIVE SERVICE WORK.
IF YOU HAVE AN INTEREST, HERE IS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THE METHOD OF COUNTING THE HOUR/HALF HOUR: IN PICTURE 10 THERE ARE 2 ADDITIONAL PHOTOS OF THE FULLY RESTORED FINE ROUND COUNT WHEEL MOVEMENT. THE COUNT WHEEL AND A FLAT RIGHT-ANGLE LIFTING WIRE IS SHOWN IN THE RIGHT PHOTO. THE METHOD OF COUNTING THE HOUR STRIKE AND HALF HOUR STRIKE POINTS IS VIA THE COUNT WHEEL AND THE FLAT LIFTING WIRE THAT RIDES IN THE RECESSES OF THE COUNT WHEEL. THE COMBINATION OF COUNT WHEEL AND LIFT WIRE DETERMINE THE STRIKE COUNTS.
A FINAL PORTION OF THE SERVICE PROCESS IS ELECTRONIC AND MECHANICAL TESTING OF THE MOVEMENT FOR PENDULUM BEAT ERROR, RATE, RELIABILITY AND OTHER FUNCTIONS – I HAVE SOME RESTORATION AND TESTING ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE PHOTOS, SO PLEASE TAKE A LOOK.
NOTICE IN SUPERSIZE PHOTO 12:
· THE LEFT INSET PICTURE SHOWS ELECTRONIC ADJUSTMENT OF THE PENDULUM BEAT, WITH THE OBJECTIVE OF APPROACHING ZERO ERROR, MEANING BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT SWINGS OF THE PENDULUM HAVE THE SAME AMPLITUDE AND DURATION CHARACTERISTICS. THIS RESTORED FINE ROUND MOVEMENT EASILY ACHIEVED AND HELD ZERO ERROR.
· THE RIGHT INSET PHOTO SHOWS THE PENDULUM BEAT RATE ADJUSTMENT SETUP, WITH AN OBJECTIVE OF 9,650 BEATS PER HOUR FOR THE FINE ROUND MOVEMENT. AGAIN, THE RESTORED MOVEMENT ACHIEVED THE PROPER BEAT RATE TO ASSURE THE NECESSARY ACCURACY IN TIMEKEEPING, AS WELL AS THE ABILITY TO MAKE ADJUSTMENTS FOR DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS IN THE FUTURE.
THE COMPLETE SERVICE RESTORATION OF THE FINEST ROUND COUNT WHEEL MOVEMENT ALONE IS A $300 VALUE!!! IT MAKES SENSE TO PURCHASE AN ANTIQUE MANTLE CLOCK THAT YOU KNOW IS READY FOR YEARS OF RELIABLE SERVICE. WHEN YOU PURCHASE ONE OF MY CLOCKS YOU CAN BE ASSURED!!
THIS IS A MEDIUM SIZE DORIC CABINET MANTEL CLOCK – AN IDEAL SIZE - SUITABLE FOR MANTLE, TABLE, SHELF OR WALL BRACKET DISPLAY - PERFECT FOR A SPECIAL GIFT, FOR YOUR PERSONAL USE, OR AS AN ADDITION TO YOUR COLLECTION. MEASUREMENTS ARE 13 ¼” H X 9 ½” W X 5 ½” D.
THE TOURAINE - 1913 IS OFFERED FOR YOUR REVIEW AND PURCHASE CONSIDERATION. DISTINCTIVECLOCKS GREATLY APPRECIATES YOUR INTEREST IN MY RESTORED SETH THOMAS ANTIQUE CLOCKS.
PAYMENT – SHIPPING - OTHER INFORMATION
PAYMENT AND INVOICES - PAYPAL, CASHIER’S CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IS ACCEPTED. PAYMENT NOT RECEIVED WITHIN 10 CALENDAR DAYS OF AUCTION-END WILL RENDER THE SUBJECT ITEM AS UNPAID AND BUYER IN DEFAULT UNLESS OTHER ARRANGEMENTS ARE MADE WITH SELLER.
INVOICES - SELLER WILL RENDER AN INVOICE INCLUDING SHIPPING CHARGES AT AUCTION END.
SHIPPING - BUYER WILL PAY SHIPPING. USPS PRIORITY MAIL IS THE PREFERRED SHIPPING METHOD; SELLER WILL WORK WITH BUYER IF OTHER ARRANGEMENTS ARE NEEDED OR PRUDENT. SHIPPING FOR AVERAGE SIZE MANTLE CLOCKS IS USUALLY IN THE $30-40 RANGE PLUS INSURANCE. FOR LARGE AND HEAVIER MANTLE CLOCKS SHIPPING WILL RUN IN THE $40-60 RANGE DEPENDING ON ZIP CODE, WITH HIGHER PRICES TO BE EXPECTED ON SHIPMENTS TO WESTERN UNITED STATES ZIP CODES. INSURANCE IS REQUIRED ON ALL CLOCK SHIPMENTS.
WORKMANSHIP AND QUALITY – ALL OF MY DISTINCTIVECLOCKS SETH THOMAS ANTIQUE CLOCKS ARE FULLY RESTORED IN EVERY WAY UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED OTHERWISE. GREAT CARE IS TAKEN TO INSURE THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, IS FULLY OPERATIONAL, MEETS OR EXCEEDS ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE SPECS, AND IS BENCH TESTED WHEN SHIPPED. MY SINCERE HOPE IS TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS IN EVERY WAY. AS WITH ALL MECHANICAL CLOCK MOVEMENTS, SOME ADJUSTMENTS MAY BE NECESSARY WHEN SETTING UP AFTER SHIPMENT, AND THE CLOCK IS SOLD AS IS.
OTHER INFORMATION - SELLER RESERVES THE RIGHT TO END THE AUCTION FOR ANY REASON.
ENJOY THE BIDDING – IF YOU NEED OR DESIRE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, EMAIL OR CALL STEVE, distinctiveclocks@sc.rr.com, 803-920-3157.
INFORMATION ABOUT THE E COMMERCE PLAYER SOUND FILES
THREE SOUND FILES OF THE SETH TOURAINE WITH FINEST GRADE ROUND COUNT WHEEL MOVEMENT IN OPERATION ARE AVAILABLE IN .WMA FORMAT:
1. VOICE INTRODUCTION
2. PENDULUM BEAT-ESCAPEMENT/VERGE/CRUTCH AND TIME GEAR TRAIN OPERATION SOUNDS OF THE FINE ROUND MOVEMENT – LISTEN FOR CLEAN AND EVEN SOUND, REGULARITY, AND THE ABSENCE OF ODD NOISES.
3. HOUR STRIKE AND HALF HOUR STRIKE AT 4:00 – 4:30 - 5:00 – 5:30 – 6:00 - LISTEN FOR PURE NOTES WITH GOOD TIMBRE, RICH DECAY AND EVEN TEMPO OF THE MOVEMENT RATHER THAN SLOW/SLUGGISH TEMPO.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SOUND RECORDING:
THE MICROPHONE IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE MOVEMENT FOR RECORDING PURPOSES, AND SOME NORMAL GEAR TRAIN OPERATION SOUNDS WILL BE HEARD. THE OPERATION SOUNDS ARE NOT NOTICED AT TYPICAL LISTENING DISTANCES.
THE FILES ARE POSTED TO THE E COMMERCE PLAYER AT THE TOP OF MY LISTING. SIMPLY CLICK THE PLAY ICON. AFTER CLICKING, YOU MAY SELECT EACH FILE AS YOU WISH, OR LET ALL THREE FILES PLAY THROUGH.
IF UNABLE TO PLAY THEM VIA THE E COMMERCE PLAYER, YOU CAN EMAIL ME AND I WILL SEND THE .WMA SOUND FILES TO YOU. INCLUDE YOUR REGULAR EMAIL ADDRESS PLEASE.