Wagner Master Clock

Case:

Metal case with silver grey spray finish
Size: 32.5 inches high. 13.5 inches wide, 6.25 inches deep. 9 inch square white dial with seconds hand (I do have the hand though it is not fitted in the picture).

100 volt DC used to step a rotator which drives a remontoire mechanism to keep a small weight "wound up". the weight provides power for the clock. If the main supply is interrupted, the weight continues to drive the clock for a reasonable length of time. Alternate positive and negative pulses are provided to operate slave dials. This system of using alternate pulses, widely used on the continent, avoids inaccurate timekeeping if there is a poor (bouncy) contact. The pendulum is a wooden rod for temperature stability and has a large, heavy brass faced bob.

The clock also incorporates a complex program wheel used, for example, to ring school bells at appropriate times.

Carl Theodor Wagner started with a retail shop in Usingen Taunus in 1852. With others he developed an electric master clock and slave. Prospered and relocated to Wiesbaden in 1863. In 1923 the company became "Wagner A.G". In 1977 name changed to "Produktions Gmbh"

(These brief historical notes extracted from information in Kochmann's book on European trademarks)