Masthead

Ipswich tambour clock

Iswitch Tambour clock

A strange one. This appears to be British. The face says "Fish, Buttermarket, Ipswich" and that's it. I haven't gotten far with research. There's a Buttermarket street (and shopping center) in the town of Ipswich in England. There was a man named Frederick Fish who owned a shop there (I believe it was called Suffolk House). I believe he died in the late 19th century but the shop may have stayed in the family another few generations. Still doesn't explain the clock; perhaps the dial was custom printed as a gift.

An 8-day with strike and chimes, and it's got a nice tone. I ran it for awhile but gave up because it's too difficult to regulate. It runs too fast even at its slowest setting. It also won't make it the whole week, but even with a twice-weekly wind, it's just too inaccurate.

The movement has a balance spring and wheel, like a pocket or wristwatch, rather than an anchor escapement with a pendulum, which is typical on shelf clocks.

Acquired: thrift shop, 2017.

Current condition: looks okay; nice tone, but runs too fast and can't be regulated to slow it down any further.