Mantel Clock with Gufa Movement undergoes maintenance work on its internal mechanics.
In the world of horology, every timepiece tells a unique story. Recently, a collector acquired an intriguing piece - an Arthur Pequegnat Canuck shelf clock. This clock, with its Gufa Westminster chime movement, was made by the Fleet Time Company of Montreal, a lesser-known Canadian clock maker.
Upon receiving the clock, the collector found that for safety reasons and to preserve the mechanism, the power had been let down on all mainsprings. Further inspection revealed that the chime strike lever was sticking, necessitating bushing work and testing. Five new bushings were needed for the three-train movement, and the plates on the strike side had to be opened up and the paddle repositioned.
The next step involved adjusting the main chime wheel. The set screw was loosened, and the drum was rotated till the quarter strike was at the 1-2-3-4, the beginning of the chime sequence. However, the strike paddle adjustment did not work initially, but further testing of the movement proceeded, and everything looks very good at this point.
The author of this article has shifted their focus to collecting clocks made in Canada or those with a Canadian connection. This acquisition is not the first Canadian clock in their collection. They won three Canadian clocks at auction: an Arthur Pequegnat Hamilton clock, a Canada Clock Company (Hamilton Clock Co.) clock, and another Canadian clock with a connection.
Interestingly, the Canada Clock Company (Hamilton Clock Co.) is a lesser-known Canadian clock maker that predates Arthur Pequegnat. The movement for the Canuck shelf clock was sourced from Germany, and it was manufactured between 1935 and 1939, as indicated by a chime gear patent date number ending in 34.
The author mentions that 3-train movements are not their favorite type to work on for four reasons: they often need major work only after a few years, they are labor-intensive, parts are almost impossible to find, and except for modern movements, it is often more cost-effective to replace the movement rather than repair it.
Despite extensive research, there are no relevant search results or publicly available detailed information specifically about the Fleet Time Company. It appears that this company is indeed a little-known and possibly obscure firm with limited documentation or recognition in historical records and mainstream horology resources. Without more detailed archival references or specialized collector knowledge, a precise history and production timeline cannot be confirmed or outlined here.
For those seeking detailed historical data on the Fleet Time Company, it may require consulting specialized archives, Canadian business registries from the 1930s, horological museum collections, or vintage clock collector communities that might have private records or examples of their products. The pursuit of understanding these lesser-known companies adds a layer of intrigue to the world of horology, making each timepiece a treasure waiting to be discovered.
The collector's fascination with Canadian clock makers expanded, as they acquired an antique 'Arthur Pequegnat Canuck' shelf clock, joining their collection of three other Canadian clocks. Intriguingly, the 'Canuck' clock's Gufa Westminster chime movement was made by the Fleet Time Company, a lesser-known Canadian clock maker. Since no comprehensive details on the Fleet Time Company are readily available, further exploration of horological archives, museum collections, and vintage clock collector communities is necessary to uncover more about this company. Meanwhile, smart-home devices and modern gadgets couldn't offer the same inspiration and enigma as vintage clocks like 'Arthur Pequegnat Canuck' or 'antique mantel clocks.'
