A maker had three choices when designing a mechanism for a dwarf Vienna Regulator. They could add an extra gear to the trains, they could use extremely fine teeth on the gears that make up the trains, or they can use very small winding drums. Marenzeller took elements of the last two. The teeth on all three winding drum gears are very fine, and the drums, measuring a centimeter (roughly 3/8 inch) in diameter, are amongst the smallest I have seen. Such very small drums result in very little leverage for driving the trains. Which translates to little power. When I finish setting up a train I always test its motion by driving the train with a fingernail in the teeth of each of the winding drum gears. I think it would amaze you how little effort it takes to make each of the trains spin. I know it amazed me, and I work on some really wonderful mechanisms! - SNClocks.com Vienna Regulators- powered by SmugMug

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SNClocks > It is interesting to study the hands on Vienna Regulators. This mechanism goes in a dwarf serpentine case - suggesting it was made in the 1850 to 1865 time frame - based on a number of specific details to the case and the mechanism. But, the hands! They are so perfect - and show the impact of the need for added ornamentation as the Viennese clock world moved away from the simpler austerity of the Biedermeier period. Note the addition of the simple details to the sides of circles on the minute and hour hands - not only do these match between hands, but they reflect the desire for a little more ornate treatment as the Viennese moved into the latter part of the 1800's. Overall a gorgeous dial in perfect condition.

SNClocks > Front of cleaned mechanism. A number of things to note: Firstly, the extremely fine levers, springs and racks on the front of the plate. As you come to know Vienna Regulator mechanisms you realize that all the thinnest sections are the areas where the original maker would make minor adjustments, bending the thin sections to make the final adjustments on the strike train mechanisms. And, if one is lucky, and no less trained clock maker has made their own adjustments, it will work perfectly just the way it is!

Another interesting thing about this shot is the scarring to the plate between the 5 and 6 position. This is residual evidence of flaws that were in the brass when it was rolled originally. I am a bit surprised to find this on such an extremely high quality mechanism, but, on the other hand, it is in a location that does not in any way impact the operation of the clock. Even the finest shops were clearly doing some economizing in the latter portion of the 1800's. Thank goodness they did not skimp in any way on the quality of their work.

Note too the perfection of the hands. Being a Marenzeller it is not surprising to see the extremely delicate hands of perhaps 10 years earlier in a Serpentine case. Older makers clung to their standards and the styles they were use to when making their mechanisms, which were then placed in cases that were up to the latest fashions.

SNClocks > A shot of some extremely small teeth, each of which is just perfect. And, then there is the winding click - realize that the click is only just over a half inch long, but so perfectly formed, and polished. Just one of the many signs that this truly is a Marenzeller. Note two the middle set of teeth - which are part of the maintaining power mechanism. Only the finest clocks had maintaining power - like this one.

SNClocks > Another detail showing how finely this piece is made. The small knob on the end of the strike lifting lever (at about the 2 o'clock position in the photo) - the knob is what would ride against the spring that provides the impetus to strike the gongs. Probably 1 in a thousand of the clocks made in Vienna during this period had these knobs - but little details like these allowed these clocks to run on absolutely the least weight possible.

SNClocks > OK - you could argue that I am just having fun with my new bellows - seeing how small a part I can effectively shoot. And, hey, you would probably be right. But, this shot really does make a point. Each of these teeth are roughly 12 thousandths of an inch wide. Note that the rim of the gear is roughly the same width. And, as can be seen, the width varies, exactly as you would expect for a piece made by hand by a journey man in the shop of one of Vienna's great makers. Telling too are how perfectly each tooth is made, taking into account the wear that is evident on the left side of each tooth. When you look at the shots of the gears between the plates - realize just how extremely finely made the gears really are. But also, realize how very little inertia there is for the train each time it initiates a strike sequence!

SNClocks > A shot of the other strike lifting arm. And a view of the second and third largest gears in the hour strike train.

SNClocks > Another shot of an exceptional set of gear trains.

A maker had three choices when designing a mechanism for a dwarf Vienna Regulator. They could add an extra gear to the trains, they could use extremely fine teeth on the gears that make up the trains, or they can use very small winding drums. Marenzeller took elements of the last two. The teeth on all three winding drum gears are very fine, and the drums, measuring a centimeter (roughly 3/8 inch) in diameter, are amongst the smallest I have seen. Such very small drums result in very little leverage for driving the trains. Which translates to little power. When I finish setting up a train I always test its motion by driving the train with a fingernail in the teeth of each of the winding drum gears. I think it would amaze you how little effort it takes to make each of the trains spin. I know it amazed me, and I work on some really wonderful mechanisms!