30-hour alarm wall clock – Whitehurst of Derby

A hook and spike wall clock with alarm by the esteemed clockmaking family, Whitehurst of Derby.

The 6-inch brass dial is well engraved. It has a matching pair of black steel hands for the time,  and a third alarm hand in brass.

The two-train weight-driven movement is stamped with the serial number 6687 on the backplate. The larger weight drives the going train, and a small one drives the alarm train. The weight pulleys are signed W for Whitehurst.

The overhauled movement is enclosed with the original metal dust plates; the serial number can just be made out, written in pencil on one.

The pendulum has a rounded iron bob.

The Whitehursts of Derby were a long line of family clockmakers. John Whitehurst (1713-88) was the eldest son of John Whitehurst who was a clock maker from Congleton.  His innovations included the round dial long case clock, a standardisation of parts and the manufacture of components to very high tolerances. On his death he left his property and clock-making business to his nephew John Whitehurst II, son of his brother James who had succeeded to his father’s firm in Congleton. In turn, his son (John) also joined him in the business and they signed clocks Whitehurst & Son, until the death of John Whitehurst II in 1834. John Whitehurst III died in 1855. 

This clock dates from the period 1834-1855, when the business was only in the hands of John III.

Guaranteed for 3 years.