A very unusual and impressive brass skeleton calendar clock with contra oscillating compound pendulums created by award-winning horologist John Wilding of Sussex, England. The bobs of the pendulums take the form of scissor handles, as do the hands and winding key – the contra oscillating pendulums creating a scissor effect. Design inspired by a French clock created circa 1820. The clock has central upright plates with shaped top terminals joined by ring turned pillars and raised on bifurcated shaped bases reflecting the scissor theme. Engraved front plate. Signed enamel chapter ring with roman numerals and shaped blued-steel hands. Enamelled subsidiary dials indicating the day and date with blued-steel pointers. An eight-day chain driven single fusee movement with winding stop. Contra oscillating compound pendulums each with pierced and shaped terminals further reflecting the scissor theme. The clock is supported on an ebonised circular base raised on three bun feet. With glass dome. Supplied with original shaped brass key. The clock is 62 cm in height to top of dome. Base is 34.5 cm in diameter. Watch a brief video of its pendulum action above. Fully restored and serviced.
 
John Wilding (born 1924) began making clocks in the early 50s – realising his love of clocks from his school days. As a mechanical engineer (based for 2 years in the then South Rhodesia following WWII) he had the skills needed as well as access to tools required. At this time, the only drawings for making clocks were to be found in the pages of Model Engineer (which had contributions from renown amateur clockmakers such as George Gentry, Claude Reeve and John Stevens). Starting with these drawings, he went on to make his own designs based on notable historical clocks – eventually contributing himself to both the Model Engineer and the Horological Journal (from the British Horological Institute). From this he was asked to write a constructional serial for the Horological Journal on making a simple 8-day weight driven movement without buying any ready-made parts. This was to be the start of some thirty constructional serials, all of which have been put in to book form. John followed his passion in clocks, working in the trade on his return to the UK before setting-up as a full-time clockmaker, repairer, restorer and writer. John was elected a fellow of the British Horological Institute in 1986. He joined the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers in 1994 and was awarded their “Masters Medal” in 2004. After 40 years documenting the skills of his trade and with over 40 published books, in 2007 he was made an M.B.E. for his services to clockmaking. On 2011 John sold off the majority of his collection of clocks.