Rare Single Hand Diamond Dial Clock

This is a very unusual and rare clock. If it had just a simple square dial, it would be just an ordinary hooded clock, but the fact that this clock has a diamond dial makes it a rarity.

The clock is a 30 hour timepiece, with a single hand. It is fitted with a functional alarm train and alarm disc (I am still trying to locate a chain for it). The clock is dated to around 1750.

Through the research I've done, I got in contact with a collector who has done research on these unusual clocks, and he has so far been able to find and document only about a dozen examples of clocks with diamond dials. All these clocks were made for a short period of time from about the very late 1600's to around 1750. The style clearly never caught-on.

This clock was purchased on eBay, and it was missing the original hour hand, the pendulum (along with the rating assembly and rod), the alarm chain, as well as the weights. The case, though old enough, is also not original.

Almost all the diamond dial clocks documented to date were cased in a picture frame style case, some having a case made of brass with decorations. The case on my clock is thin mahogany, and appears to have been made perhaps in the late 1900's. I have thought of making a new case for the clock, but I'm unable to come up with a working design, because of the unusual setup of the clock movement (alarm and bell). For now, the clock will stay in this case.

Since buying the clock (a few years ago), I have found an old pendulum bob, and fitted it to a new rod and suspension. I have also found a suitable (2lb) weight, and hand-cut a steel hand to match the style of the clock.

Should anyone wish to obtain more detailed information about the clock, please feel free to contact me.