Wind-up Wall Clock with Pendulum and Chimes, in Colid Oak Case with Beveled Glass, by Orel Watch Factory, early 1950s.
Measures 24" in height including bonnet and base, 13" wide x 6" deep. Massive at over 15 lbs. Manufactured by the Orel Watch Factory. This version of the manufacturer's mark was in use in the 1950s. The factory was founded in 1950, initially as an assembly line using parts supplied by the 2nd Moscow Watch Factory. By late 1950s, the factory began making the components locally and expanded to a full-scale production. The factory was given a brand name, "ЯНТАРЬ" ("yantar", meaning "amber"). In the 2000s, financial problems led to bankruptcy and cessatio
Measures 24" in height including bonnet and base, 13" wide x 6" deep. Massive at over 15 lbs. Manufactured by the Orel Watch Factory. This version of the manufacturer's mark was in use in the 1950s. The factory was founded in 1950, initially as an assembly line using parts supplied by the 2nd Moscow Watch Factory. By late 1950s, the factory began making the components locally and expanded to a full-scale production. The factory was given a brand name, "ЯНТАРЬ" ("yantar", meaning "amber"). In the 2000s, financial problems led to bankruptcy and cessation of all manufacturing activity in 2004.
The clock is in "semi-working" condition. In our testing, it kept going for 1 hr. 40 min., once. At other times, it stopped after 5- to 15-minute periods. This inconsistent behavior instills hope that the problem is just a matter of aligning the clock properly and/or oiling the mechanism, an exciting project for the mechanically inclined, and immensely gratifying if successful. The chimes did not work in our testing but we hope this can be fixed as well. There is really little as hypnotically relaxing and zen-like as the slow measured ticking and pendulum movement of a wall clock.
The oak case is structurally sound, the glass is unscratched. The round glass for the clock face is not beveled but the glass for viewing the pendulum is beveled. There are two latches on the side to keep the door closed. One of the loops for them is missing on the door, but the other one is quite sufficient, and the missing loop can be easily screwed in, if desired.
A wall clock of this quality and size was way beyond what an average Soviet family could afford. It was most likely not even meant for a household. A clock like this would hang in the office of a Party bureaucrat in a high position, or in the foyer of a government office building or a large factory headquarters.
Please note that the 1-foot ruler in our last photo is for size reference.
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