Featured JE Caldwell Clock Needs Guilloche Repair

Hi All,

Has anyone done a successful guilloche repair, any advice? Also, if anyone has details on this clock model, that would be greatly appreciated as well, since I just recently acquired it and don't have much information.

Thank you!

 

JE Caldwell of Philadelphia was the seller. They sold high end goods and were still in business in the mid-1990s. Maybe still?

Can you open the clock to see the movement?

 

Thanks for the reply. I'll check on the movement, but my priority is to see if I can get the guilloche repaired. Any experience with that. Thanks.

 

Sorry I do not have experience with that kind of repair. Are you anywhere near Philly?

 

Yes, I'm about 1.5 hours from Philly.

 

You might be able to see if they are still there and ask them for a repair recommendation.

 

You may want to check with the museums in your area. They might be able to give you some leads as to who might have some expertise in this area.

That clock is drop-dead gorgeous!!

 

Since the original technique involved high-temp enamel firing and machine-tooling, that is a tough one. I imagine finding someone who qualifies is rare. All I found was an article about this restorationist. https://www.latimes.com/home/la-hm-enamel29-2009aug29-story.html. Please keep us posted if you succeed!

 

That's good advice Bakersgma. I'll look into that.

 

Thanks for the recommendation - I'll contact a few museums. Indeed, it is gorgeous, but definitely would look even more gorgeous without the cracks

 

Thanks Darkwing Manor! I'll try contacting that restorationist.

 

A job for @kyratango ?

 

ask @kyratango.

the real "blokes in a shed" are still concentrated in the same regions of origin. Switzerland and France, especially in the region between Besançon and Geneva.
BUT to my best knowledge the few that survived go by mouth propaganda and work most exclusively for high end customers and museums.
but best is really to ask kyra first if there's a possibility that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/some-kyratisations-aka-my-cosmetic-repairs.36028/

 

Truly lovely but I fear repairing it may be nigh impossible,or very expensive. Id get it done if possible as well,the cracks are all Id ever see when I looked at it !

 

@Fid too never succeeded in mending cracks only improve small lacks

 

normal way was to grind off the damaged enamel and then give it a new pattern on the rose lathe. but where to find one of those outside machine shops of luxury goods producers ?
but let's wait for a pic of the "innards" if it's worth the pain at all.. .