I love the idea of Anniversary clocks! The idea of winding your clock once a year on your wedding anniversary has a romantic appeal to me.
This particular clock has was made on or before 1900 by Gustav Becker in Freiberg, Germany, before mergers and wars that devastated the company.
The clock is a Gustav Becker Anniversary Clock, a type of 400-day torsion clock known for its precision and elegant design. Gustav Becker, a renowned German clockmaker, began producing these clocks in the late 19th century, with his company becoming famous for high-quality timepieces. The clock features a torsion pendulum, which rotates back and forth under a glass dome, a characteristic design of anniversary clocks that allows them to run for a year on a single wind. The brass construction and ornate details, such as the decorative top and pendulum, are typical of Becker’s craftsmanship.
The specific dating of Gustav Becker anniversary clocks can be challenging due to limited factory records, especially after 1905 when many were destroyed during World War II. However, serial numbers on the movement and pendulum can provide approximate dates. Early models often feature a crowned anchor logo with “GB,” and the presence of a serial number can help narrow down the production period, typically ranging from the 1890s to the 1920s, before the company merged with Junghans in 1930. The clock’s design suggests it could be from this era, though an exact date would require checking the serial number on the back plate and pendulum.
These clocks are highly regarded by collectors for their durability and intricate mechanisms. If you have the serial number, it could be cross-referenced with available data to estimate its age more precisely.
well, if you want one, you’ll have to hunt!! Good luck!