Smith's Cricklewood 'Air Ministry' Bulkhead Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1940
Dating to circa 1940, this British bulkhead wall clock features a polished and lacquered brass drum and flanged case paired with a chrome-plated locking bezel. The 6 1/2-inch white vitreous enamel dial features Roman hour numerals, an outer divided minute track with Arabic five-minute markings, an S-F regulation slot beneath XII, a spade hour hand, and a counterpoised centre sweep seconds hand.
Power is provided by an eight-day movement with a jewelled lever platform escapement. The dial is signed 'SMITH'S CRICKLEWOOD N.W.2' alongside 'MADE IN ENGLAND', and the dealer reports an Air Ministry crown and 'A.M.' stamp on the rear case.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Wall clock
- Dial Size
- 6 1/2" diameter
- Case Design
- Drum and flanged brass case with 4 fixing points
- Rear Markings
- A.M. and a crown
- Dial Signature
- SMITH'S CRICKLEWOOD N.W.2 / MADE IN ENGLAND
- Place recorded
- United Kingdom
- Movement Duration
- 8 day
- Overall Dimensions
- 9 1/2" diameter including the flange x 4" deep
- Maker / attribution
- Smith's Cricklewood N.W.2
Design
- Visible features
- • Polished brass flange with four drilled wall-mounting holes • Silver-tone / chrome-plated locking bezel with a protruding marling spike shaped opening tab • White enamel dial with S-F regulation aperture directly below the XII Roman numeral • Spade-shaped hour hand and counterpoised central seconds hand
- Mechanism and Provenance
- The movement is an eight-day duration type, equipped with a jewelled lever platform escapement and an extended arbour to carry the centre sweep seconds hand. The dealer reports that the rear of the case is stamped with a crown and 'A.M.' (Air Ministry) mark, which the source describes as being in use circa 1918 until 1964. Visual documentation of the movement and the rear markings is not provided in the source listing.
- Dial and Timekeeping Display
- The 6 1/2-inch diameter white vitreous enamel dial is fixed to an iron 'false' dial. The dial markings include inner Roman hour numerals, an outer divided minute track with hour triangles, and small Arabic five-minute numerals. The dial is signed 'SMITH'S CRICKLEWOOD N.W.2' and 'MADE IN ENGLAND'. An aperture for regulating the escapement is located directly beneath the XII numeral. Time is displayed via a spade-shaped hour hand and a counterpoised centre sweep seconds hand.
- Case and External Construction
- The clock is housed in a polished and lacquered brass drum and flanged case, which incorporates four fixing points for bulkhead mounting. The case design is noted for its weight. The dial is protected by a heavy, solid-cast chrome-plated locking bezel. The bezel features an integral sight ring, a snapped-in thick bevelled glass, and a protruding marling spike-shaped opening tab.
Identification
- Reference
- SA 14521
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Movement and rear Air Ministry stamp are catalogued in the description but not pictured in the provided views.