Mantel clock 9

This is a modern take on my two library/carriage clocks nos. 7 and 8.  It was a commission by a couple who wanted some Quandong timber used in its construction.  They supplied the Quandong, a very bland timber, that they had grown in their back yard from a seed they had picked up on a camping expedition .............................. !  I made a box for them to show just how bland Quandong was.  It prompted the move to some lovely plains Jarrah that I had! 

So the case is made from plains Jarrah, that has grown in a sandy open environment, rather than its more typical hills forest environment - hence its lighter colour. To include some Quandong,  I incorporated it into the feet, the key drawer, the inlays on the movement plinth and the stringing.   

It proved to be a complex case to make, due to its minimalist construction and the large bevelled glass 'lights' they wanted included!

It has a Quandong drawer included in the movements Quandong plinth to hold the key and an inscription about the clock.

The motifs of Quandong leaves and fruit were included on the movements plinth

and engraved into the bevelled glass top light.

The case houses a top of the range Kieninger, rear key wound JE movement, with a Swiss 5 jewel compensated balance wheel escapement. The rear wind facility removes the need for key holes in the simple dial.  It has triple chimes; Westminster, St. Michael and Whittington, on an 8-rod gong. It also has automatic night silence.  The current price of these fabulous movements is around Au$1310 or US$900 

The simple white enamel dial, and the equally simple Bourget hands go well with the elegant simplicity of the case.

Thanks as ever for taking the time to get this far.