HORIZONTAL TABLE CLOCK Torin London Circa 1730 England

M&R225

RARE SQUARE HORIZONTAL TABLE CLOCK
Signed: Torin London
Circa 1730
England

Movement
The spring-driven brass movement is constructed between square plates and consists of going, striking and alarm trains. The going train has a chain fusee, verge escapement with hairspring balance, and regulation using a silvered regulation disc. The balance is situated under a richly pierced and engraved cock. The rack striking, which can be switched off on the dial (S/N), indicates the hours fully on a bell. The last hour struck can be repeated on request (repeat) by pressing a button to the side. The movement also has an alarm, equipped with two hammers. The maker signed the movement on the backplate: Torin London.

Dial
A circular silvered chapter ring is mounted on a gilt brass dial plate. This has Roman hour numerals, French lilies as half-hour markers and Arabic five-minute divisions around a minute ring. The maker signed the dial at the bottom of the chapter ring as follows: Torin London. The time is indicated by a pair of blued steel hands. In the centre of the dial is a silvered alarm disc with Arabic hour numerals.

Case
The square gilt-brass case has four framed windows to the sides. The bottom has a lid in which the bell is housed and the whole can be opened by means of a catch. The square, gilt-brass top of the case is decorated with engraved scroll motifs around the chapter ring and around the alarm disc. In the corner near the VII and VIII is a slide S/N to switch the striking on or off. Above the window near the VI there is a button that can be used to activate the striking to indicate the last hour struck on request. The case rests on four moulded feet.

Duration: 24 hours
Height: 8.5 cm.
Width: 9.5 cm.
Depth: 9.5 cm.

Literature: G.H. Baillie, Watchmakers and Clockmakers of the World, p. 316.

The maker
Daniel Torin worked in London (Moorfields) from c. 1721 to 1763.