About the Seth Thomas “Regulator No. 30” Clock
Title: Seth Thomas “Regulator No. 30” Clock Model: A Collector’s Guide
The Seth Thomas “Regulator No. 30” is a classic example of American craftsmanship and precision timekeeping. This model falls under the category of regulators, designed primarily for scientific or industrial settings to maintain accurate time. However, due to its striking design and exceptional quality, it has also become a sought-after collectible for antique clock enthusiasts.
Typically crafted from mahogany or walnut, the Regulator No. 30 showcases a robust and elegant case design. The rectangular shape with rounded corners, coupled with fluted columns at each corner, lends an air of sophistication to this timepiece. The dial, often white enamel or brass, features Roman numerals and a seconds pendulum, further emphasizing its precision-oriented nature.
Produced primarily between the late 19th century and early 20th century, the Regulator No. 30 represents the golden age of American clock manufacturing. Its production span aligns with the Industrial Revolution, during which Seth Thomas Clock Company rose to prominence as one of the leading manufacturers in the United States.
What makes the Regulator No. 30 collectible is its combination of rarity, history, and excellent craftsmanship. As a specialized model, it is less common compared to mantel or wall clocks, adding to its allure for collectors. Moreover, its sturdy construction and the high-quality materials used in its production ensure that well-preserved examples can retain their value over time.
Notable features of this model include the 10-inch brass pendulum bob suspended by a blued steel rod, the brass seconds dial, and the distinctive ‘Seth Thomas’ signature engraved on
Auction Records and Price History
The following 21 auction record(s) show actual sale prices for the Seth Thomas “Regulator No. 30” model clock. Prices vary based on condition, originality, and current market demand. Search for more records on AntiqueClocksPriceGuide.com.
C.1909, Seth Thomas Clock Co., “Regulator No. 30”, 8-day weight wall timepiece, replaced top and bottom.
Condition: Refinished oak case in nice condition with restorations; very rear surface of case back has lost its veneer, and the remaining soft wood has cracked and split. Top and bottom bracket are nicely made, but not to proper proportions. Hands, movement, pendulum and weight are original, dial is recently silk screened over original surface; shadow of prior black is evident. An original would sell for $4000. Height 50 inches [126 cm]
Sold: $850 | Date: 4/22/2007 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn, C.1905, “REGULATOR No. 30” in oak, 8-day weight driven timepiece.
this model uses the same movement and pendulum set up as the Regulator No. 2. This case was attractively refinished to a golden color around 20 years ago and with nice patina. Otherwise it is in excellent original condition with an outstanding original painted dial, just a little surface crazing. For reference, see Tran Ly’s Seth Thomas book, 3rd Edition, page 306. Price guide for 2004 = $6160 {our own auction result}. Ht 49″
Sold: $2,300 | Date: 5/15/2010 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., c.1909, ‘REGULATOR No. 30’, fine wall clock in cherry, and with “Standard Time” gold leaf on original glass, weight driven, 8-day, C.1900.
although the dial has been professionally repainted, the clock is otherwise in excellent original condition. The one thing that keeps this from being outstanding is the main base molding which may have been near a chair or door, as something has marred it repeatedly. It is our belief that maybe 1 in 20 made were cherry, as this is the first one we have had in 31 years of selling. Although we have sold several of these in the $4000 range, our record was set in April, 2002, when we sold a golden oak one for $6160. For reference on this model, see Tran Ly’s book titled “Seth Thomas Clocks”, page 306. Ly price guide, item 962 = $4500. Clean and running. Damascene pattern on pendulum is a little worn, but still good. Ht 49″
Sold: $6,325 | Date: 5/15/2010 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn. “Regulator No. 30” wall clock, 8 day, time only, weight driven movement in a walnut case with painted metal dial and nickel plated pendulum bob and weight, c1880
the case retains its excellent original finish and is mounted with a small oval plaque on its stamped “REGISTER 574 NAT. TRANSIT CO.”. The dial retains its original paint with minor blemishes in between 9 and 10 and an abrasion at 6. Ht 49″
Sold: $4,000 | Date: April 22, 2012 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1909, Seth Thomas, Thomaston, Conn, “Regulator No. 30 “, in oak, in excellent original condition.
Seth Thomas wall regulators have experienced one of the greatest run ups in value of any group of clocks, and the pleasant appearance of this model is one of the reasons. Details on this clock may be found in Tran Ly’s book Seth Thomas Clocks and Movements, (1996), page137. The movement is the same 80 beat unit used in the Regulator No. 2. The golden oak case has been rubbed to a high sheen, and the movement cleaned and re-cabled. Original weight and damascene pendulum (some design a bit light). Ready to enjoy. Height 49″
Sold: $5,500 | Date: April, 2002 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1909, Seth Thomas Clock Co., “Regulator No. 30”, 8-day wall timepiece in golden oak.
Condition: as close to outstanding original condition as you can come. There are some small nicks and scrapes commensurate with the age of the piece, and it has been rubbed out to a nice sheen. The original dial is seen to be crazing and maybe 1 or 2 tiny flakes have risen. Good damascene pendulum. See the sister to this clock in Tran Ly’s book on Seth Thomas, 3rd Edition, page 306, that we sold in April of 2002 for $6160. Dial is 12″ Note this is the same case ST used for their Office Calendar No. 13 (previous lot). Height 49 inches
Sold: $3,200 | Date: April, 2008 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Regulator “No. 30” 1 Weight Clock
With an 8 day TO movement; a marked painted metal dial; the pendulum and weight. Not tested. 49″ Long
Sold: $900 | Date: Feb 01, 2014 | Source: Tom Harris
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Regulator No. 30”, 8-day weight wall timepiece, c1909
oak case in excellent condition in original finish, nicely cleaned and waxed. Original dial is in very fine condition Original hands, pendulum and weight. Movement has been professionally serviced and is in good running order. Note original movement is not marked, as sometimes occurred in factory production. Someone added thin spacers under bracket to bring hands forward a bit. original pendulum with spiral or original pattern on bob. Overall excellent condition. Ht. 49″
Sold: $3700 | Date: May 15, 2011 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Regulator No. 30”, 8 days, weight brass movement wall timepiece.
Cherry case in original finish has some dings on the molding below the door and a couple dings on the door. Original painted dial has a protective coat of varnish to control dial flaking. The dial has scattered over its surface very very tiny flakes that up close look like fly specks. The hour and minute hand look to be original. The pendulum is not original as the pendulum rod is round and the bob is hollow. A proper bob and rod could in time be found to fix the problem. The finial included is not the proper one as the finial would have been a small ball. Proper nickel plated weight.
Sold: $1,800 | Date: May 15, 2016 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., ÒRegulator No. 30Ó wall clock, 8 days, time only, weight driven movement in an oak case with a painted metal dial, c1890
the case retains its original finish, untouched and for such a case has standard wear and abrasions. The top right return molding has a 5 1/2Ò piece broken out. Ht 51Ó
Sold: $1,300 | Date: May 16, 2015 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Regulator No. 30”, wall clock, 8 day, time only, brass weight driven movement in an oak case with a painted metal dial and brass damascened pendulum
the case retains its original finish nicely rubbed down. There is a small chip to right return molding on base. The dial retains its original painted surface and Seth Thomas signature but has been resoldered to the brass bezel. Dial has an unfilled hole above center shaft for a missing screw for a center cross piece under the dial. The gold stencil on glass is later.
Sold: $1100 | Date: May 19, 2018 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Regulator No. 30”, 8 day, time only, weight driven movement with nickel plated pulley, weight, pendulum bob, indicator and hinges, in cherry case with painted metal dial, c1880
the case retains its excellent original finish with four extra holes near the movement mounting bracket. The dial retains its original paint with minor deterioration to lower portion of second’s bit. Ht 49″
Sold: $2,600 | Date: May 4, 2013 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1910, Seth Thomas, Regulator No. 30, 1-weight timepiece, in oak.
Condition: the case has been refinished and has some restorations: the center top trim (carved round button) has been replaced and is not the proper configuration; it will cost you around $100 to have someone carve the correct trim. Also the little oak ball for the very top is absent. The clock is otherwise clean and original and ready to enjoy; minor flaking on dial. If all original, would easily bring $4,000. Height 40 inches
Sold: $3,000 | Date: May 7, 2005 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1890, Seth Thomas, “Regulator No 30”, in walnut and in excellent original condition.
If you are looking for one model 30 to keep and enjoy, this is the one. Retains original nickel finish bezel, weight, pendulum and pulley. The original dial is without flakes; some wear to numerals and the ST logo, commensurate with age of clock. Height 49 inches
Sold: $6,000 | Date: May 8th, 2004 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Regulator No. 30” with an 8 day timepiece movement in a cherry case.
The case has its original finish which has darkened with age. There is a small burned area on the left end of the cross molding below the case door. There is some white paint at several spots along the very edge of the case where some adjacent wall painting hit the case. The dial bezel, weight and damaskeened pendulum bob are all brass. The original painted dial is in excellent condition. The hands are original. The door glass is original.
Sold: $1,400 | Date: October 22, 2016 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Regulator No. 30”, 8 days, weight brass movement wall timepiece.
Cherry case in original finish has some dings on the molding below the door and a couple dings on the door. Original painted dial has a protective coat of varnish to control dial flaking. The dial has scattered over its surface very very tiny flakes that up close look like fly specks. The hour and minute hand look to be original. The finial included is not the proper one as the finial would have been a small ball. Proper nickel plated weight, however the pendulum bob, though correct, is brass..
Sold: $1,500 | Date: October 22, 2016 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Regulator No. 30”, 8 days, weight driven brass movement regulator wall timepiece, c1909
Oak case in very nice condition with nice rubbed down finish. Original painted dial has a tiny chip near 1 o’clock, a little larger area at 6 ‘o’clock and minor staining at the seconds bit. Original hands and pendulum with a couple of tiny dings. Ht 49″
Sold: $1,400 | Date: October 25, 2015 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Regulator No. 30”, wall clock, 8 day, time only, brass weight driven movement in a oak case with a painted metal dial
the case retains its original golden oak finish in good condition. The dial has its original paint with minor inpaint on seconds bit. Overall this is a nice example in oak.
Sold: $1400 | Date: October 27, 2018 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Regulator No. 30” wall clock, 8 day, time only, weight driven movement with nickel plated pulley, weight, pendulum bob, indicator and hinges, in cherry case with painted metal dial, c1880
the clock retains its excellent original finish. The dial retains its original paint with minor deterioration to lower portion of second’s bit. Ht 49″
Sold: $3,100 | Date: October 28, 2012 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
Seth Thomas Clock Co., Thomaston, Conn., “Regulator No. 30” oak weight driven 8 day time only wall clock, c1909
the case’s original varnish has turned very dark, there are a few small scuffs and scratches, and the little top ball is missing (easily replaced), As is usual, the original painted metal dial has some minor flaking, and the seconds track may have been redone a bit crudely. The door glass is wavy, the old beat scale is in place, and there still is a visible pattern on the pendulum bob. The movement should be cleaned and fit with new weight cord. Ht 49″
Sold: $1,700 | Date: October 29, 2011 | Source: R. O. Schmitt Fine Arts
C.1905, Seth Thomas, Thomaston, Conn, ÓRegulator No. 30Ò, in oak.
Condition: except for some inpainting on the dial this clock is in excellent original condition. Seth Thomas wall regulators continue to experience good appreciation in value, and the pleasant appearance of this model is one of the reasons. Details on this clock may be found in Tran LyÕs book Seth Thomas Clocks and Movements, [1996], page137. The movement is the same 80 beat unit used in the Regulator No. 2. The golden oak case retains its original mildly crazed finish and will wax up nicely. The movement has been re-cabled. Original weight and pendulum, old crank. An extra nice example Height 49 inches
Sold: $3,500 | Date: October 31, 2004 | Source: R.O. Schmitt Fine Arts