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Crystal Regulator Clocks
Definition and Terminology
The term "crystal regulator" is used specifically for American clocks that fall under the broader category of four-glass clocks, distinguished by transparent panels on all sides. Conversely, a French-made clock with a similar appearance is generally referred to simply as a four-glass clock.
We say crystal regulator, implying that it has glass on all four sides.
French Origins (Mid-Late 19th Century)
The crystal regulator concept originated in France, where these clocks represented the pinnacle of decorative timekeeping.
French Characteristics
French regulators, crafted by high-profile makers like Japy, Marti, Vincenti, and Mougin, were highly esteemed and often included mercury pendulums.
The Vincenti-made movement is made of brass and is of excellent quality. It is spring-powered and designed to run eight days on full wind and to strike each hour on the hour on a wire gong, which is mounted to the back of the movement. This clock also strikes once at each half hour. The pendulum is the traditional format of two glass vials supported in a brass frame.
Construction and Materials
Mechanically, clocks like this are very, very good quality and this really represents a period of about 1900 when these were made.
19th/20th century, architectural form, rectangular brass case with glass panels, scrollwork, cherub, and pegasus decoration, hinged door opening to interior dial and works, works stamped "Médaille D'Argent/Vincenti C(?)/1855", "Made in France".
Market and Clientele
This clock was probably originally purchased by one of those families on Bellevue Avenue. And at that time, they would go overseas and buy the best that Europe had to offer.
It does say Tiffany and Company on the dial. And it was retailed by Tiffany. It was not made by Tiffany and Company. I'm not familiar with the maker of this clock, but it was probably made in Paris. Tiffany and Company obviously handled the finest things, and this is certainly one of them.
American Production (1880s-1920s)
The American Approach
American Crystal Regulators were essentially replicas of French regulators, boasting similar design elements such as a stylistic gong block, visible Brocot escapements, round movement plates, and beveled glass panels. However, they were an economical alternative to the French clock.
They were not built to the higher standards of a French clock and were priced accordingly. Nonetheless, American Crystal Regulators have become sought-after by clock collectors.
Major American Manufacturers
Ansonia Clock Company - The Ansonia Clock Company was a clock manufacturing business founded in Ansonia, Connecticut, in 1851 and which moved to Brooklyn, New York, in 1878. The company has produced hundreds of different clock models, including Gingerbread, Porcelain, and Crystal Regulator styles.
Seth Thomas - In the American market, Ansonia and Seth Thomas were prominent manufacturers of such clocks.
Other manufacturers included New Haven, Waterbury, and Gilbert.
The Ansonia "Prism" Model
This particular clock, featured in the 1905 Ansonia catalog under the name "Prism," was priced at $29.00, a substantial sum for its time. It was the simplest design in the crystal regulator line and the lowest-priced model.
The Ansonia "Marquis" Model
The Ansonia "MARQUIS" crystal regulator mantel clock is an eight-day time and strike with open escapement, jeweled pallets, porcelain dial, thick beveled glass.
The jeweled pallets are made from garnet, a precious stone consisting of a deep red vitreous silicate mineral. Here is an interesting 1905 catalog showing Ansonia's collection of crystal regulators. Page 24 shows the Marquis with a price increase to $41.80. As Bob pointed out, a hefty price for a clock in its time.
Technical Differences: French vs. American
Pendulum Design
While both types typically feature Brocot escapements, there's a notable distinction in the pendulum design. Many four-glass French clocks incorporated mercury-filled pendulum vials, whereas American crystal regulators utilized nickel slugs within transparent vials.
The pendulum has a brass frame with two glass tubes, each holding a polished steel insert for decoration (to simulate a mercury temperature compensation pendulum).
Movement Size and Quality
The movement is much smaller than the usual American antique clock movement.
Construction Features
Case Design
A crystal regulator clock has a brass case (sometimes gold plated) and beveled glass side panels.
This handsome crystal regulator mantel clock has a polished brass case with glass on all four sides.
The Brocot Escapement
A distinctive feature of crystal regulators was the visible Brocot escapement - a high-quality escapement design that was displayed prominently through the glass panels. The clock has a two piece porcelain dial with blued steel hands and an exposed skeletonized Brocot escapement.
Strike Mechanism
This little clock is 9 1/4" tall and 6" wide and strikes the hour and half hour on a coil gong. The strike is not as rich sounding as a wooden cased clock, because the metal base doesn't conduct sound waves as well as wood does.
Special Variations
Ship's Wheel Regulators
What makes it rare is the detached balance wheel regulation in the form of an oscillating ships wheel instead of a more common pendulum. The clock has an eight day movement striking on a bell on the hour and half hour.
Typical Production Period
Overall, the clock is in good condition for its age and was made somewhere between 1905 and 1910.
American crystal regulators were primarily produced from the 1880s through the 1920s, with peak production around 1900-1915.
Collecting and Values
Modern Market
Very fancy clocks like this clock are being sold in this country, and they're going overseas into the Asian market. If I had to put an auction estimate on this clock, somewhere in the neighborhood of $8,000 to $10,000. (This was for a high-end French example circa 1900)
It's a clock that, if in a retail situation, with these urns, I think you expect to pay $4,000 for a clock like this.
Collector Appeal
American crystal regulators are particularly collectible because they:
- Display the movement beautifully through glass
- Feature quality Brocot escapements with jeweled pallets
- Represent Victorian-era craftsmanship
- Are more affordable than French originals
- Have decorative appeal with polished brass and beveled glass
Restoration Challenges
This not a particularly easy clock to work on. The pivots are smaller than a typical American time and strike movement which means closer tolerances. The strike side is rack and snail, that is, there are no helper springs and only one combination lever between the plates. Most strike parts are located outside the plates and the final assembly for the Brocot escapement also occurs outside the plates.
Each glass panel can be as much as $75 by the time shipping is included and turnaround time can be as much as 2 months.
Historical Significance
Crystal regulators represented the Victorian era's fascination with displaying mechanism as decoration. They made precision timekeeping visible and transparent, turning the clock movement itself into an object of beauty. The American versions democratized this French luxury, making elegant visible-escapement clocks available to middle-class households at a fraction of the cost of imported French pieces.
The golden age of crystal regulators ended around 1920-1930 as tastes shifted toward simpler designs and as companies like Ansonia faced financial difficulties leading up to the Great Depression.
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