Antique Seth Thomas "Empire No. 30" Crystal Regulator.

Greetings to the Collectors Weekly Community!

For the Seth Thomas and Crystal Regulator collectors out there, we present an uncommon Seth Thomas Empire No. 30 Crystal Regulator from circa 1905.

It features thick, beveled plate glass on the front, sides and back; hour and half-hour rack strike on a cathedral bell; a fifteen-day, high grade movement signed "R. Kaiser", serial number 49647; Cut Glass top, sides, columns and base, and a four-inch decorated porcelain dial. It can be found on page 249 of Tran Duy Ly's "Seth Thomas Clocks and Movements Volume 1" clock #761 with a 2005 appraised value of $2,500. Of course, antique clock prices have come down quite a lot since then, but this clock still commands a premium when a nice example is put on the market.

When we acquired the clock, we got it at a reduced price since it was in need of a lot of work and restoration. The pendulum was missing. Two pieces of expensive glass were cracked and the movement was very dirty and in need of an overhaul. We don't know how the various pieces of cut and beveled glass were damaged. There were no signs of damage to the brass case and most of the original glass is still intact. Perhaps something may have fallen on the clock. A lot can happen in a century!

Montanos Antique Glass Repair in Idaho helped us restore this clock. I would certainly recommend them for any difficult antique glass restoration projects one may have.

To restore this clock we did a complete disassembly, cleaning, polishing (where appropriate) and application of several coats of cellulose lacquer on all case brass. As mentioned, professional reproductions of a beveled side plate and the cut glass top were ordered to replace the damaged originals. The missing pendulum was replaced with a twin vial, simulated mercury pendulum that is appropriate to this clock. The missing knob to the back door was replaced with one fabricated to match the front knob.

The movement was very dirty. It has been completely overhauled and is running well.

The Empire No. 30 has a cathedral bell with a mellow tone and soft volume. It is not hard to hear when you listen, but it doesn't demand your attention when your mind is on other things.

Thanks for stopping by. We hope you enjoyed our Seth Thomas Empire No. 30.

Bruce