About the Seth Thomas “Beijing City Series” Clock
The Seth Thomas “Beijing City Series” clock, produced approximately in 1875, presents a unique blend of American craftsmanship and Eastern aesthetics. This particular model features an original reverse painted glass bottom depicting pheasants, complemented by a well-preserved case. A distinctive label behind the gong adds to its authenticity.
The clock houses an eight-day striking Seth Thomas movement that operates on an uncommon 24-hour system. The hands move at half speed, with one revolution of the hour hand representing a full day. At midnight and noon, the hour hand points vertically, while it is horizontal at six o’clock. Conversely, the minute hand takes two hours to complete a sweep, pointing horizontally on the half hour. This unusual format is made possible by special gearing within the clock.
The dial of this Beijing City Series clock is marked with Chinese characters and numbered twice around in Roman numerals from 1 to 12, accommodating the 24-hour system. This timepiece offers a captivating fusion of Western mechanics and Eastern symbolism, making it an intriguing addition to any collector’s inventory.
Auction Records and Price History
The following 1 auction record(s) show actual sale prices for the Seth Thomas “Beijing City Series” model clock. Prices vary based on condition, originality, and current market demand. Search for more records on AntiqueClocksPriceGuide.com.
Seth Thomas City Series Clock, Beijing Model, c. 1875
original reverse painted glass in the bottom shows a picture of some pheasants, and the case of this clock is in nice condition. It even has a nice label behind the gong on which it strikes. Plus, the large eight day striking Seth Thomas movement inside runs on the uncommon 24 hour system. The hands on this clock run at half speed, so one revolution of the hour hand signifies the passage of an entire day. It points vertically at midnight and noon, and horizontally at six o’clock. Also, the minute hand takes a full two hours to make one sweep, so it points horizontally on the half hour. Special gearing inside this clock allows for this interesting format. The dial is marked accordingly in Chinese characters, as well as numbered from 1 to 12 twice around in roman numerals.
Sold: $243 | Date: 3/21/2001 | Source: Proclocks, Inc.