Beschreibung:

A George V iron and brass turret timepiece, Gillett and Johnston, Croydon, circa 1926/7 The substantial skeletonised movement with pierced triangular plates united by three cylindrical pillars and thick bar top plate incorporating pendulum suspension cheeks to the rear, the four wheel train with bronze pivot bushes, Harrisons maintaining power, high pinion count, six-spoke crossings to the second and third wheels and substantially engineered pin-wheel escapement regulated by seconds pendulum incorporating massive oval-section iron bob and wooden shaft, the front of the frame with bronze hand adjustment dial fitted with heavy brass setting pointer and calibrated with minute ring incorporating Arabic ten-minute annotations, the centre stamped with serial number 9274 over cast inscription GILLETT & JOHNSTON, CROYDON, BY ROYAL WARRANT, CLOCKMAKERS & BELLFOUNDERS TO, H.M. KING GEORGE V, the lower rail of the movement frame with cast-in repeat signature and with drilled securing flanges to each corner, complete with take-off bevel-gear pivoted through one of the movement pillars, drive rod, two bevel gear assemblies, further connecting rod, motionwork assembly with hands (no dial), heavy three-part cast iron weight with iron loop suspension, crank winder and a few other smaller related accessories, the movement frame 47cm (18.25ins) high by 27cm (10.5ins) deep by 33cm (13in wide); with a purpose made wooden display stand 151cm (59.25ins approx.) high overall. Provenance: The property of a private collector, by repute removed from a house near Marlborough, Wiltshire. The firm of Gillet and Johnston can trace its roots back to the clockmaker William Gillett who moved from Hadlow, Kent, to Clerkenwell in 1837. In 1844 he relocated again, this time to Union Road, Thornton Heath, Croydon. Charles Bland became a partner in 1854, and the company subsequently traded as Gillett & Bland. In 1877, Arthur A. Johnston (c.18511916) bought a partnership, and shortly afterwards extended the company's output by establishing a bell foundry. The business became known as Gillett, Bland & Co until Bland's death in c.1884, when the name was changed to Gillett & Co. The name Gillett & Johnston seems to have been used from around 1887. Arthur Johnston's son, Cyril Frederick Johnston (18841950), joined the company in 1902, became a partner in 1907, and took over the firm following his father's death in 1916. He developed an interest in the theory of bell tuning, and greatly expanded the bellfounding side of the business. During the First World War, the factory suspended its regular business and became involved in the manufacture of munitions, employing over 1,250 men and women. The firm became a limited liability company in 1925, initially trading as the Croydon Bell Foundry Ltd (although the name Gillett and Johnston still appeared on bells). It reverted to the name Gillett & Johnston Ltd in 1930. After going into receivership in 1857 the company was subsequently reborn and still trades today as clockmakers specialising in the maintenance and restoration of turret clocks. The vendor has recorded eleven turret clocks with serial numbers in the 9,000s with known dates of installation dating from 1920 (number 9125 at Bletsoe, Bedfordshire) to 1935 (number 9490 at St. Mary Kidderminster, Worcestershire). The closest number to the current lot noted is 9268 (at Cople, Bedfordshire) which dates to 1925; therefore it would be reasonable to suggest a date of around 1926/7 for the present timepiece.