Welch, Spring and Co. "Regulator No. 1", ca 1874.
This is the early version of the No. 1 Regulator with the upside down, 8 day timepiece movement. Note the winding holes high on the dial. This model was only made from 1874-1875, and beginning in 1876 they reversed the movement putting the winding arbors at the bottom of the dial. The solid plate brass movement is powered by two weights descending the case sides. It has three correct hands and the old painted dial has some light restoration. Continuing on the inside of the case, the gold pendulum stick has a repair, the brass weights and brass bob appear to be correct and the large beat scale is signed, "Welch, Spring and Co. / Forestville, Conn. There was a small piece cut out of the brass dial ring. It is behind the wood bezel and not visible with the door closed. We have had several clock gurus look at the ring and everyone agrees the ring is original to the clock, but no one has a clue why a small section would be cut out. The black flocking paper on the backboard is still good. The movement is functioning correctly. The rosewood case is 68" high, complete and original with the possible exception of some of the finials. I compared the finials on this clock to the No. 1's in the Welch catalogs and Ly clock books, and the No. 1 we sold in the Jan 2008 auction No. 7, and other pictures of No. 1's, and there are no two clocks exactly alike. There is a key lock on the door, with a key. The No. 1 we sold in the Jan. 2008 auction brought over $20,000. Ly-Welch, page 90.
Clock types
