SETH THOMAS RESTORED ANTIQUE SONORA CHIME CLOCK #5 -1911 IN ADAMANTINE MAHOGANY
SETH THOMAS RESTORED ANTIQUE SONORA CHIME CLOCK #5 -1911 IN ADAMANTINE MAHOGANY
SOLD $895.00 Sold: Sep 11, 2023 on eBayOriginal Listing Description
eBay SOUND FILES ARE INCLUDED IN THE “E COMMERCE AUDIO PLAYER” AT THE TOP OF MY LISTING TO ASSIST YOU IN REVIEWING THE 4 BELL SONORA CHIME CLOCKNUMBER 5 - 1911 Powered by eCommercePlayer comPowered by eCommercePlayer comPowered by eCommercePlayer comPowered by eCommercePlayer com OFFERED TODAYFROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTION IS THE SELDOM SEEN, ELEGANTAND TASTEFULLY DESIGNEDSETH THOMAS 4 BELL SONORA WESTMINSTER CHIME CLOCK NUMBER 5 - 1911. THIS FULLY RESTORED SONORA 5 IS QUITE A FIND, AND SELDOM SEEN, BECAUSE SONORA 5’S IN PRISTINE CONDITION ARE HELD IN PRIVATE COLLECTIONS DUE TO THEIR RARITY. BOTH CLOCK MOVEMENTS AS WELL AS ALL ASPECTS OF THIS LOVELY SONORA HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY SERVICED AND RESTORED. DESCRIPTION AND FEATURES THIS IS ONE OF THE EARLIEST AVAILABLE ADAMANTINE CABINET SONORA CHIME CLOCK, VINTAGE 1911, WITH A NEST OF 4 PATENTED SONORA BELLS. THE CHIMES ARE RESONANT, WITH SUPERB TIMBRE AND DECAY AFTER EACH NOTE IS SOUNDED – OTHER NON-SETH BELL CHIME ANTIQUE CLOCKS SIMPLY CANNOT COMPARE WITH THE TIMBRE AND RESONANCE OF THE BELL SOUNDS FROM THIS SONORA CHIME NUMBER 5 SONORA. THE NEW OWNER WILL DEFINITELY WANT TO PLACE THE SETH SONORA 5 IN A VERY SPECIAL LOCATION IN THE HOME. THE SETH THOMAS SONORA CHIME CLOCK NUMBER 5 – 1911 IS LISTED IN NOTED AUTHORITY TRAN DUY LY’S “SETH THOMAS CLOCKS AND MOVEMENTS” THIRD EDITION, VOLUME 1, PAGE 152. THE SONORA 5 IS A DELIGHT TO VIEW, WITH THE ADAMANTINE MAHOGANY HIGHEST GRADE CABINET, AND CLEAN AND STYLISH CABINET DESIGN APPOINTMENTS THAT REALLY ATTRACT ATTENTION. THE CLASSIC PEDIMENT SONORA HAS A SILVERED FIVE INCH DIAL WITH VIVID BLACK NUMERALS, AND A POLISHED BRASS BEZEL. SETH THOMAS SIGNATURE FULL SPADE HOUR AND MINUTE HANDS COMPLEMENT THE DIAL. THE GOTHIC ARCH TOP AND SIMPLE ELEGANCE OF THE CABINET COMPLETES THE PRESENTATION TO PRODUCE AN ELEGANT EARLY SONORA – A COMBINATION THAT IS SO HARD TO FIND IN THE MARKET PLACE. NOTICE THE GOLDEN BOTTOM AND TOP ADORNMENTS ON THE FRONT COLUMNS, AS WELL AS THE VERTICAL LINE WORK ON THE COLUMNS – SELDOM FOUND AS THE ADORNMENTS ON THE SONORA 5 WERE A SPECIAL ORDER ITEM WHEN ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. THIS PARTICULAR CABINET SONORA IS REALLY AN ATTENTION GETTER BECAUSE OF ITS STYLE AND STATEMENT WHEN DISPLAYED – IT ALWAYS DRAWS GUESTS OR FRIENDS BACK FOR ANOTHER LOOK. BY ALL MEANS LISTEN TO THE QUARTER HOUR CHIME SECUENCES AND THE HOUR STRIKE FOR YOURSELF VIA THE ATTACHED E COMMERCE AUDIO PLAYER LINKS AT THE START OF THE LISTING. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THE SUPERSIZE PHOTOS FOR HIGH RESOLUTION CLOSE IN VIEWS. THE ORIGINAL ADAMANTINE MAHOGANY FINISH WAS RETAINED, AND THE ENTIRE CABINET WAS PROFESSIONALLY CONDITIONED AND RESTORED WITH MY SPECIAL PROCESS, IN ORDER TO BRING FORTH THE RICHNESS OF THE ORIGINAL ADAMANTINE MAHOGANY FINISH – TIME CONSUMING, YES – BUT JUST LOOK AT THE BEAUTY OF THIS SONORA NO. 5 CABINET! EVERY ASPECT OF THE SONORA 5 HAS BEEN RESTORED TO ORIGINAL SPECIFICATIONS, INCLUDING THE NEST OF FOUR DEEP TONED SONORA BELLS. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE ONE OF SETH THOMAS’ FINEST SONORA BELL ANTIQUE CLOCKS – AND YOU CAN BE ASSURED OF THE QUALITY, BECAUSE MY PERSONAL OBJECTIVE, AS ALWAYS, IS TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS! ANYONE WHO DESIRES SHOULD FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS DETAILS OF THE SONORA 5, AS WELL AS DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE VARIOUS SONORAS IN GENERAL. THE WINDING HOLE NEAR THE “8” IS FOR THE HOUR COUNT CHIME; THE ONE NEAR THE “4” IS FOR THE TIME TRAIN. BOTH THE HOUR COUNT AND TIME TRAIN ARE HANDLED BY THE FRONT MOVEMENT, WHICH IS AN EARLY VINTAGE #89 SERIES SETH MOVEMENT, USED IN THE VERY EARLIEST SONORAS. ANOTHER HOLE AT THE “3” IS FOR WINDING THE QUARTER-HOUR WESTMINSTER CHIMES, HANDLED BY THE REAR SONORA MOVEMENT, AN EARLY VERSION OF THE SETH #90 SERIES. THE SMALLER HOLE BELOW THE HAND SHAFT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DIAL IS FOR ACCESSING THE SLOW-FAST TIME ADJUSTMENT. NOTE THE SLIDE LEVER ON THE SIDE OF THE CABINET FOR CHIME-SILENT OPERATION. WHEN OPERATED, THE QUARTER HOUR CHIMES. A CLOSE-UP OF THE LEVER IS SHOWN AS AN INSET IN SUPERSIZE PHOTO 3. THE FRONT 89 MOVEMENT HANDLES THE TIME AND HOUR STRIKE FUNCTIONS AND THE REAR 90 MOVEMENT HANDLES THE QUARTER HOUR FUNCTIONS. EACH QUARTER HOUR SEQUENCE IS SOUNDED ON THE RESONATED BELLS WITH RICH HARMONICS, TIMBRE AND LINGERING DECAY WHEN STRUCK. PLEASE MAKE IT A POINT TO LISTEN AND CAREFULLY REVIEW THE ATTACHED SOUND PLAYER FILES IN ORDER TO FULLY APPRECIATE WHAT OWNERS IN THE EARLY 1900’S TIME FRAME EXPERIENCED WITH THEIR NEW AND, AT THE TIME, VERY EXPENSIVE SONORA NUMBER 5 CLOCKS. RESTORATION AND TECHNICAL DETAILSVIEWERS ARE ASKED TO PLEASE NOTE: WHILE AESTHETIC BEAUTY OF YOUR ANTIQUE CLOCK IS IMPORTANT, MECHANICAL CONDITION IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT! CYOBSERVE THAT NEARLY HALF OF MY LISTING TEXT CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT THE MECHANICAL ASPECTS AND MOVEMENT RESTORATION OF THE CLOCK.YOU DESERVE, AND SHOULD EXPECT, A RESTORED ANTIQUE SETH OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY AND RELIABILITY.I STRIVE TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS RATHER THAN SIMPLY SELL YOU AN ANTIQUE CLOCK. THE NEST OF SONORA BELLS THE RESTORATION PROCESS INCLUDED COMPLETE DISASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION OF EVERY ASPECT OF THE CLOCK. THE SONORA CHIME BELLS AND CHIME BLOCK ASSEMBLY WERE CAREFULLY EXAMINED FOR CONDITION TO INSURE THE ABSENCE OF HAIRLINE CRACKS, ETC. CAREFUL INSPECTION OF THE BELLS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: · ONE HAIRLINE CRACK CAN CAUSE A SONORA BELL TO LOSE ALL TONE AND TIMBRE, AND THE BEGINNING OF A HAIRLINE WILL ALMOST ALWAYS GROW TO A FULL HAIRLINE CRACK. · IN ADDITION, OTHER ISSUES WITH CRACKED, BROKEN, OR DETERIORATED WOODEN AND PRESSED FELT BELL SPACERS, USED TO SEPARATE THE BELLS, WILL IMPACT THE SOUND, YET CANNOT BE DETECTED BY CASUAL INSPECTION. · THE ONLY WAY TO ASSURE YOURSELF OF NOT BECOMING VICTIM TO PROBLEMS IS VIA FULL AUTHENTICATION OF THE COMPONENTS, WHICH IS MY PLEDGE TO YOU, THE BUYER. MOVEMENTS - #89M AND #90D BOTH THE 89M TIME AND HOUR STRIKE MOVEMENT, AND THE 90D CHIME MOVEMENT, WERE DISASSEMBLED, CLEANED WITH ULTRASONICS, INSPECTED IN DETAIL FOR CONDITION OF THE PIVOT BUSHINGS, GEAR TRAIN, AND ARBOR OR PIVOT ABNORMALITIES. OUT OF TOLERANCE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED. EVERY OPERATIONAL ASPECT OF EACH MOVEMENT WAS ADDRESSED. THE MOVEMENTS WERE THEN REASSEMBLED AND PROPERLY LUBRICATED; BOTH MAINSPRINGS IN THE 89 WERE UNLOADED, TESTED, INSPECTED, PROPERLY LUBRICATED, AND RELOADED. THE PENDULUM BEAT AMPLITUDE WIDTH OF THE RESTORED 89M MOVEMENT IS A FULL 3 5/8 INCHES AS MEASURED FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BOB AT LEFT SWING TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BOB AT RIGHT SWING. THIS FAR EXCEEDS THE MINIMUM SPEC OF 2 1/4 INCHES! THE ROBUST AMPLITUDE WIDTH INDICATES THE MOVEMENT IS IN THE HIGHEST STATE OF GOOD HEALTH, WITH VIRTUALLY NO FRICTION, NO DRAG, AND PLENTY OF RESERVE ENERGY FROM THE MAINSPRINGS. AS INFORMATION, BEWARE IF A #89 MOVEMENT HAS AN ANEMIC PENDULUM BEAT SWING BECAUSE IT IS A TALE-TALE INDICATOR OF POOR MOVEMENT HEALTH AND THE NEED FOR EXTENSIVE SERVICE WORK. SUPERSIZE PHOTO 9 SHOWS THE RESTORED 89M AND 90D MOVEMENTS. THE GREAT MAINSPRING IN THE 90 MOVEMENT WAS UNLOADED, INSPECTED FOR HAIRLINE CRACKS, PROPERLY SERVICED AND RELOADED. THE MAINSPRING EXCEEDED THE DELIVEED FORCE REQUIREMENTS BOTH AT THE START AND AT THE END OF ITS FORCE CURVE - REST ASSURED THE 90 MOVEMENT WILL PERFORM RELIABLY AND PROPERLY. IMPORTANT: THERE ARE THREE ESPECIALLY CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN THE #90 CHIME MOVEMENT: THE GREAT WHEEL GEAR, THE SECOND WHEEL GEAR WITH PINION, AND THE CHIME DRUM THAT SYNCHRONIZES AND DRIVES THE CHIME HAMMERS. IF ANY OF THESE COMPONENTS IS ABOUT TO FAIL, IT MAY NOT BE OBVIOUS. WHEN IT OCCURS, THE COST TO REPAIR WILL GIVE YOU A JOLT, BECAUSE THERE ARE NONE IN SUPPLY CHANNELS; ANOTHER MOVEMENT WILL BE REQUIRED. THAT IS WHY I ALWAYS MAKE SURE THESE CRITICAL COMPONENTS ARE IN TOP CONDITION ON MY RESTORED SETH SONORA CLOCKS. I WILL BE GLAD TO FULLY EXPLAIN THESE CONSIDERATIONS AS WELL AS OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BUYING A SONORA – JUST EMAIL ME OR GIVE ME A CALL. MY EMAIL AND TELEPHONE NUMBER IS LISTED NEAR THE END. GOOD COUNSEL ON A CONTEMPLATED SONORA ACQUISITION WOULD BE: IF ONE ELECTS TO PURCHASE A SONORA OF UNKNOWN CONDITION – EVEN IF WORKING, BY ALL MEANS HOPE FOR THE BEST, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, BE PREPARED FOR PROBLEMS, SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONAL ISSUES AND EXTREME FRUSTRATION, AS WELL AS CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE. JUST LISTEN TO THE ATTACHED E COMMERCE PLAYER AUDIO FILES FOR AN ACCURATE RENDERING OF THE CLARITY, RESONANCE, TONE, AND RICH DECAY OF EACH NOTE STRUCK WHEN THE SONORA NUMBER 5 CHIMES AND STRIKES THE HOUR. AFTER REASSAMBLY, APPROPRIATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR TIME, CHIME, HOUR STRIKE, SYNCHRONIZATION PENDULUM RATE AND BEAT ERROR ETC. WERE ACCOMPLISHED USING MECHANICAL AND ELECTRONIC MEANS. AN EXTENDED BENCH RUN TEST FOLLOWED. SEVERAL PHOTOS OF THE RESTORATION WORK ARE PART OF THE PORTFOLIO. ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION: REFER TO HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO 11 · AS PART OF THE TESTS AND ADJUSTMENTS PROCEDURES ON THE #89 MOVEMENT, THE PENDULUM BEAT ERROR AND THE PENDULUM BEAT RATE ARE CHECKED AND SET - AN OBJECTIVE OF NEAR ZERO FOR BEAT ERROR IS DESIRED. THIS RESTORED 89 MOVEMENT ADJUSTED TO ZERO ERROR AND STABILIZED AT ZERO ERROR. · FOR PENDULUM BEAT RATE, THE 89 IS DESIGNED TO RUN AT 9,777 BEATS PER HOUR. THE RESTORED MOVEMENT EASILY HELD THE 9,777 BEAT RATE, MEANING THE TIME KEEPING WILL BE DEPENDABLE AND THE MOVEMENT WILL GIVE RELIABLE SERVICE. IN FACT, BOTH MOVEMENTS IN THE SONORA 1 WERE RESTORED TO SUPERIOR CONDITIION. · THE FULL RESTORATION SERVICE WORK ON THE SONORA MOVEMENTS AND SONORA BELLS ASSEMBLY, AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, IS A $750 VALUE IN AND OF ITSELF. IF YOU PURCHASE A SETH THOMAS SONORA CLOCK OF UNKNOWN OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY, A TRIP THE CLOCK DOCTOR IS LIKELY AND COSTLY. WHY NOT PURCHASE ONE THAT YOU CAN DEPEND ON FROM THE GET GO!!! THE SONORA CHIME NO. 5 - 1911 WILL BE THE CENTER-PIECE OF A GRAND DECORATIVE SETTING, AND IT IS AN EXCELLENT INVESTMENT, BECAUSE ITS VALUE WILL CONTINUE TO APPRECIATE YEAR AFTER YEAR. THIS IS A FULL SIZE CABINET SONORA CHIME CLOCK, SUITABLE FOR MANTLE, TABLE, OR SHELF DISPLAY - IDEAL FOR A GIFT, A MEMORABLE PRESENT FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL, YOUR PERSONAL USE, OR AS AN ADDITION TO YOUR COLLECTION. MEASUREMENTS ARE 11” W X 14” H X 7 ¼” D. WORKMANSHIP AND QUALITY – ALL OF MY SETH THOMAS ANTIQUE CLOCKS ARE FULLY RESTORED IN EVERY WAY UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED OTHERWISE. GREAT CARE IS TAKEN TO INSURE THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, IS FULLY OPERATIONAL, MEETS OR EXCEEDS ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE SPECS, AND IS BENCH TESTED WHEN SHIPPED. MY SINCERE HOPE IS TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS IN EVERY WAY. AS WITH ALL MECHANICAL CLOCK MOVEMENTS, SOME ADJUSTMENTS MAY BE NECESSARY WHEN SETTING UP AFTER SHIPMENT, AND THE CLOCK IS SOLD AS IS. ENJOY THE LISTING – IF YOU NEED OR DESIRE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE BE IN TOUCH WITH ME, STEVE. IMPORTANT NOTE – E COMMERCE AUDIO PLAYER FILES ARE ATTACHED AT THE BEGINNING OF MY LISTING. FOUR SOUND FILES OF THE SETH SONORA CHIME CLOCK NUMBER 5 - 1911 ARE INCLUDED: 1. VOICE INTRODUCTION TO THE SOUND FILES 2. PENDULUM BEAT ESCAPEMENT CRUTCH AND TIME GEAR TRAIN OPERATION SOUNDS OF THE MOVEMENT – LISTEN FOR CLEAN AND EVEN SOUND, REGULARITY, AND THE ABSENCE OF ODD NOISES. 3. WESTMINSTER SEQUENCES AT 7:15 – 7:30 – 7:45 - LISTEN FOR PURE NOTES WITH GOOD TIMBRE, RICH DECAY AND ZESTY TEMPO OF THE MOVEMENT RATHER THAN A SLOW, SLUGGISH OR DRAGGING TEMPO 4. THE FULL 16 NOTE WESTMINSTER SEQUENCE AND HOUR COUNT AT 8:00. AGAIN, LISTEN FOR PURE NOTES WITH GOOD TIMBRE AND RICH DECAY - AND AGAIN THE ZESTY TEMPO OF THE MOVEMENT RATHER THAN SLOW, SLUGGISH OR DRAGGING TEMPO. IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SOUND RECORDING: THE MICROPHONE IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE MOVEMENT FOR RECORDING PURPOSES, AND SOME NORMAL GEAR TRAIN OPERATION SOUNDS WILL BE HEARD. THE OPERATION SOUNDS ARE NOT NOTICED AT TYPICAL LISTENING DISTANCES. THE FILES ARE POSTED VIA THE E COMMERCE PLAYER AT THE START OF MY LISTING. SIMPLY CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON TO HEAR ALL FILES IN SUCCESSION, OR CLICK ON THE INDIVIDUAL FILE ICONS THAT APPEAR TO HEAR EACH ONE BY ITSELF. IF UNABLE TO PLAY THEM VIA THE PLAYER, YOU CAN EMAIL ME AND I WILL SEND THE .MP3 FILES TO YOU. INCLUDE YOUR REGULAR EMAIL ADDRESS PLEASE. (Condition: Pre-Owned)
Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for clocks collectors and appraisers.
Original Listing Description
eBay SOUND FILES ARE INCLUDED IN THE “E COMMERCE AUDIO PLAYER” AT THE TOP OF MY LISTING TO ASSIST YOU IN REVIEWING THE 4 BELL SONORA CHIME CLOCKNUMBER 5 - 1911 Powered by eCommercePlayer comPowered by eCommercePlayer comPowered by eCommercePlayer comPowered by eCommercePlayer com OFFERED TODAYFROM MY PERSONAL COLLECTION IS THE SELDOM SEEN, ELEGANTAND TASTEFULLY DESIGNEDSETH THOMAS 4 BELL SONORA WESTMINSTER CHIME CLOCK NUMBER 5 - 1911. THIS FULLY RESTORED SONORA 5 IS QUITE A FIND, AND SELDOM SEEN, BECAUSE SONORA 5’S IN PRISTINE CONDITION ARE HELD IN PRIVATE COLLECTIONS DUE TO THEIR RARITY. BOTH CLOCK MOVEMENTS AS WELL AS ALL ASPECTS OF THIS LOVELY SONORA HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY SERVICED AND RESTORED. DESCRIPTION AND FEATURES THIS IS ONE OF THE EARLIEST AVAILABLE ADAMANTINE CABINET SONORA CHIME CLOCK, VINTAGE 1911, WITH A NEST OF 4 PATENTED SONORA BELLS. THE CHIMES ARE RESONANT, WITH SUPERB TIMBRE AND DECAY AFTER EACH NOTE IS SOUNDED – OTHER NON-SETH BELL CHIME ANTIQUE CLOCKS SIMPLY CANNOT COMPARE WITH THE TIMBRE AND RESONANCE OF THE BELL SOUNDS FROM THIS SONORA CHIME NUMBER 5 SONORA. THE NEW OWNER WILL DEFINITELY WANT TO PLACE THE SETH SONORA 5 IN A VERY SPECIAL LOCATION IN THE HOME. THE SETH THOMAS SONORA CHIME CLOCK NUMBER 5 – 1911 IS LISTED IN NOTED AUTHORITY TRAN DUY LY’S “SETH THOMAS CLOCKS AND MOVEMENTS” THIRD EDITION, VOLUME 1, PAGE 152. THE SONORA 5 IS A DELIGHT TO VIEW, WITH THE ADAMANTINE MAHOGANY HIGHEST GRADE CABINET, AND CLEAN AND STYLISH CABINET DESIGN APPOINTMENTS THAT REALLY ATTRACT ATTENTION. THE CLASSIC PEDIMENT SONORA HAS A SILVERED FIVE INCH DIAL WITH VIVID BLACK NUMERALS, AND A POLISHED BRASS BEZEL. SETH THOMAS SIGNATURE FULL SPADE HOUR AND MINUTE HANDS COMPLEMENT THE DIAL. THE GOTHIC ARCH TOP AND SIMPLE ELEGANCE OF THE CABINET COMPLETES THE PRESENTATION TO PRODUCE AN ELEGANT EARLY SONORA – A COMBINATION THAT IS SO HARD TO FIND IN THE MARKET PLACE. NOTICE THE GOLDEN BOTTOM AND TOP ADORNMENTS ON THE FRONT COLUMNS, AS WELL AS THE VERTICAL LINE WORK ON THE COLUMNS – SELDOM FOUND AS THE ADORNMENTS ON THE SONORA 5 WERE A SPECIAL ORDER ITEM WHEN ORIGINALLY PURCHASED. THIS PARTICULAR CABINET SONORA IS REALLY AN ATTENTION GETTER BECAUSE OF ITS STYLE AND STATEMENT WHEN DISPLAYED – IT ALWAYS DRAWS GUESTS OR FRIENDS BACK FOR ANOTHER LOOK. BY ALL MEANS LISTEN TO THE QUARTER HOUR CHIME SECUENCES AND THE HOUR STRIKE FOR YOURSELF VIA THE ATTACHED E COMMERCE AUDIO PLAYER LINKS AT THE START OF THE LISTING. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT THE SUPERSIZE PHOTOS FOR HIGH RESOLUTION CLOSE IN VIEWS. THE ORIGINAL ADAMANTINE MAHOGANY FINISH WAS RETAINED, AND THE ENTIRE CABINET WAS PROFESSIONALLY CONDITIONED AND RESTORED WITH MY SPECIAL PROCESS, IN ORDER TO BRING FORTH THE RICHNESS OF THE ORIGINAL ADAMANTINE MAHOGANY FINISH – TIME CONSUMING, YES – BUT JUST LOOK AT THE BEAUTY OF THIS SONORA NO. 5 CABINET! EVERY ASPECT OF THE SONORA 5 HAS BEEN RESTORED TO ORIGINAL SPECIFICATIONS, INCLUDING THE NEST OF FOUR DEEP TONED SONORA BELLS. THIS IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE ONE OF SETH THOMAS’ FINEST SONORA BELL ANTIQUE CLOCKS – AND YOU CAN BE ASSURED OF THE QUALITY, BECAUSE MY PERSONAL OBJECTIVE, AS ALWAYS, IS TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS! ANYONE WHO DESIRES SHOULD FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AND I WILL BE HAPPY TO DISCUSS DETAILS OF THE SONORA 5, AS WELL AS DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE VARIOUS SONORAS IN GENERAL. THE WINDING HOLE NEAR THE “8” IS FOR THE HOUR COUNT CHIME; THE ONE NEAR THE “4” IS FOR THE TIME TRAIN. BOTH THE HOUR COUNT AND TIME TRAIN ARE HANDLED BY THE FRONT MOVEMENT, WHICH IS AN EARLY VINTAGE #89 SERIES SETH MOVEMENT, USED IN THE VERY EARLIEST SONORAS. ANOTHER HOLE AT THE “3” IS FOR WINDING THE QUARTER-HOUR WESTMINSTER CHIMES, HANDLED BY THE REAR SONORA MOVEMENT, AN EARLY VERSION OF THE SETH #90 SERIES. THE SMALLER HOLE BELOW THE HAND SHAFT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DIAL IS FOR ACCESSING THE SLOW-FAST TIME ADJUSTMENT. NOTE THE SLIDE LEVER ON THE SIDE OF THE CABINET FOR CHIME-SILENT OPERATION. WHEN OPERATED, THE QUARTER HOUR CHIMES. A CLOSE-UP OF THE LEVER IS SHOWN AS AN INSET IN SUPERSIZE PHOTO 3. THE FRONT 89 MOVEMENT HANDLES THE TIME AND HOUR STRIKE FUNCTIONS AND THE REAR 90 MOVEMENT HANDLES THE QUARTER HOUR FUNCTIONS. EACH QUARTER HOUR SEQUENCE IS SOUNDED ON THE RESONATED BELLS WITH RICH HARMONICS, TIMBRE AND LINGERING DECAY WHEN STRUCK. PLEASE MAKE IT A POINT TO LISTEN AND CAREFULLY REVIEW THE ATTACHED SOUND PLAYER FILES IN ORDER TO FULLY APPRECIATE WHAT OWNERS IN THE EARLY 1900’S TIME FRAME EXPERIENCED WITH THEIR NEW AND, AT THE TIME, VERY EXPENSIVE SONORA NUMBER 5 CLOCKS. RESTORATION AND TECHNICAL DETAILSVIEWERS ARE ASKED TO PLEASE NOTE: WHILE AESTHETIC BEAUTY OF YOUR ANTIQUE CLOCK IS IMPORTANT, MECHANICAL CONDITION IS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT! CYOBSERVE THAT NEARLY HALF OF MY LISTING TEXT CONTAINS INFORMATION ABOUT THE MECHANICAL ASPECTS AND MOVEMENT RESTORATION OF THE CLOCK.YOU DESERVE, AND SHOULD EXPECT, A RESTORED ANTIQUE SETH OF THE HIGHEST QUALITY AND RELIABILITY.I STRIVE TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS RATHER THAN SIMPLY SELL YOU AN ANTIQUE CLOCK. THE NEST OF SONORA BELLS THE RESTORATION PROCESS INCLUDED COMPLETE DISASSEMBLY AND INSPECTION OF EVERY ASPECT OF THE CLOCK. THE SONORA CHIME BELLS AND CHIME BLOCK ASSEMBLY WERE CAREFULLY EXAMINED FOR CONDITION TO INSURE THE ABSENCE OF HAIRLINE CRACKS, ETC. CAREFUL INSPECTION OF THE BELLS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT: · ONE HAIRLINE CRACK CAN CAUSE A SONORA BELL TO LOSE ALL TONE AND TIMBRE, AND THE BEGINNING OF A HAIRLINE WILL ALMOST ALWAYS GROW TO A FULL HAIRLINE CRACK. · IN ADDITION, OTHER ISSUES WITH CRACKED, BROKEN, OR DETERIORATED WOODEN AND PRESSED FELT BELL SPACERS, USED TO SEPARATE THE BELLS, WILL IMPACT THE SOUND, YET CANNOT BE DETECTED BY CASUAL INSPECTION. · THE ONLY WAY TO ASSURE YOURSELF OF NOT BECOMING VICTIM TO PROBLEMS IS VIA FULL AUTHENTICATION OF THE COMPONENTS, WHICH IS MY PLEDGE TO YOU, THE BUYER. MOVEMENTS - #89M AND #90D BOTH THE 89M TIME AND HOUR STRIKE MOVEMENT, AND THE 90D CHIME MOVEMENT, WERE DISASSEMBLED, CLEANED WITH ULTRASONICS, INSPECTED IN DETAIL FOR CONDITION OF THE PIVOT BUSHINGS, GEAR TRAIN, AND ARBOR OR PIVOT ABNORMALITIES. OUT OF TOLERANCE BUSHINGS WERE REPLACED. EVERY OPERATIONAL ASPECT OF EACH MOVEMENT WAS ADDRESSED. THE MOVEMENTS WERE THEN REASSEMBLED AND PROPERLY LUBRICATED; BOTH MAINSPRINGS IN THE 89 WERE UNLOADED, TESTED, INSPECTED, PROPERLY LUBRICATED, AND RELOADED. THE PENDULUM BEAT AMPLITUDE WIDTH OF THE RESTORED 89M MOVEMENT IS A FULL 3 5/8 INCHES AS MEASURED FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE BOB AT LEFT SWING TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BOB AT RIGHT SWING. THIS FAR EXCEEDS THE MINIMUM SPEC OF 2 1/4 INCHES! THE ROBUST AMPLITUDE WIDTH INDICATES THE MOVEMENT IS IN THE HIGHEST STATE OF GOOD HEALTH, WITH VIRTUALLY NO FRICTION, NO DRAG, AND PLENTY OF RESERVE ENERGY FROM THE MAINSPRINGS. AS INFORMATION, BEWARE IF A #89 MOVEMENT HAS AN ANEMIC PENDULUM BEAT SWING BECAUSE IT IS A TALE-TALE INDICATOR OF POOR MOVEMENT HEALTH AND THE NEED FOR EXTENSIVE SERVICE WORK. SUPERSIZE PHOTO 9 SHOWS THE RESTORED 89M AND 90D MOVEMENTS. THE GREAT MAINSPRING IN THE 90 MOVEMENT WAS UNLOADED, INSPECTED FOR HAIRLINE CRACKS, PROPERLY SERVICED AND RELOADED. THE MAINSPRING EXCEEDED THE DELIVEED FORCE REQUIREMENTS BOTH AT THE START AND AT THE END OF ITS FORCE CURVE - REST ASSURED THE 90 MOVEMENT WILL PERFORM RELIABLY AND PROPERLY. IMPORTANT: THERE ARE THREE ESPECIALLY CRITICAL COMPONENTS IN THE #90 CHIME MOVEMENT: THE GREAT WHEEL GEAR, THE SECOND WHEEL GEAR WITH PINION, AND THE CHIME DRUM THAT SYNCHRONIZES AND DRIVES THE CHIME HAMMERS. IF ANY OF THESE COMPONENTS IS ABOUT TO FAIL, IT MAY NOT BE OBVIOUS. WHEN IT OCCURS, THE COST TO REPAIR WILL GIVE YOU A JOLT, BECAUSE THERE ARE NONE IN SUPPLY CHANNELS; ANOTHER MOVEMENT WILL BE REQUIRED. THAT IS WHY I ALWAYS MAKE SURE THESE CRITICAL COMPONENTS ARE IN TOP CONDITION ON MY RESTORED SETH SONORA CLOCKS. I WILL BE GLAD TO FULLY EXPLAIN THESE CONSIDERATIONS AS WELL AS OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BUYING A SONORA – JUST EMAIL ME OR GIVE ME A CALL. MY EMAIL AND TELEPHONE NUMBER IS LISTED NEAR THE END. GOOD COUNSEL ON A CONTEMPLATED SONORA ACQUISITION WOULD BE: IF ONE ELECTS TO PURCHASE A SONORA OF UNKNOWN CONDITION – EVEN IF WORKING, BY ALL MEANS HOPE FOR THE BEST, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, BE PREPARED FOR PROBLEMS, SUBSEQUENT OPERATIONAL ISSUES AND EXTREME FRUSTRATION, AS WELL AS CONSIDERABLE EXPENSE. JUST LISTEN TO THE ATTACHED E COMMERCE PLAYER AUDIO FILES FOR AN ACCURATE RENDERING OF THE CLARITY, RESONANCE, TONE, AND RICH DECAY OF EACH NOTE STRUCK WHEN THE SONORA NUMBER 5 CHIMES AND STRIKES THE HOUR. AFTER REASSAMBLY, APPROPRIATE ADJUSTMENTS FOR TIME, CHIME, HOUR STRIKE, SYNCHRONIZATION PENDULUM RATE AND BEAT ERROR ETC. WERE ACCOMPLISHED USING MECHANICAL AND ELECTRONIC MEANS. AN EXTENDED BENCH RUN TEST FOLLOWED. SEVERAL PHOTOS OF THE RESTORATION WORK ARE PART OF THE PORTFOLIO. ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION: REFER TO HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTO 11 · AS PART OF THE TESTS AND ADJUSTMENTS PROCEDURES ON THE #89 MOVEMENT, THE PENDULUM BEAT ERROR AND THE PENDULUM BEAT RATE ARE CHECKED AND SET - AN OBJECTIVE OF NEAR ZERO FOR BEAT ERROR IS DESIRED. THIS RESTORED 89 MOVEMENT ADJUSTED TO ZERO ERROR AND STABILIZED AT ZERO ERROR. · FOR PENDULUM BEAT RATE, THE 89 IS DESIGNED TO RUN AT 9,777 BEATS PER HOUR. THE RESTORED MOVEMENT EASILY HELD THE 9,777 BEAT RATE, MEANING THE TIME KEEPING WILL BE DEPENDABLE AND THE MOVEMENT WILL GIVE RELIABLE SERVICE. IN FACT, BOTH MOVEMENTS IN THE SONORA 1 WERE RESTORED TO SUPERIOR CONDITIION. · THE FULL RESTORATION SERVICE WORK ON THE SONORA MOVEMENTS AND SONORA BELLS ASSEMBLY, AS DESCRIBED ABOVE, IS A $750 VALUE IN AND OF ITSELF. IF YOU PURCHASE A SETH THOMAS SONORA CLOCK OF UNKNOWN OPERATIONAL RELIABILITY, A TRIP THE CLOCK DOCTOR IS LIKELY AND COSTLY. WHY NOT PURCHASE ONE THAT YOU CAN DEPEND ON FROM THE GET GO!!! THE SONORA CHIME NO. 5 - 1911 WILL BE THE CENTER-PIECE OF A GRAND DECORATIVE SETTING, AND IT IS AN EXCELLENT INVESTMENT, BECAUSE ITS VALUE WILL CONTINUE TO APPRECIATE YEAR AFTER YEAR. THIS IS A FULL SIZE CABINET SONORA CHIME CLOCK, SUITABLE FOR MANTLE, TABLE, OR SHELF DISPLAY - IDEAL FOR A GIFT, A MEMORABLE PRESENT FOR SOMEONE SPECIAL, YOUR PERSONAL USE, OR AS AN ADDITION TO YOUR COLLECTION. MEASUREMENTS ARE 11” W X 14” H X 7 ¼” D. WORKMANSHIP AND QUALITY – ALL OF MY SETH THOMAS ANTIQUE CLOCKS ARE FULLY RESTORED IN EVERY WAY UNLESS SPECIFICALLY STATED OTHERWISE. GREAT CARE IS TAKEN TO INSURE THAT EACH AND EVERY ONE FUNCTIONS PROPERLY, IS FULLY OPERATIONAL, MEETS OR EXCEEDS ORIGINAL PERFORMANCE SPECS, AND IS BENCH TESTED WHEN SHIPPED. MY SINCERE HOPE IS TO EXCEED YOUR EXPECTATIONS IN EVERY WAY. AS WITH ALL MECHANICAL CLOCK MOVEMENTS, SOME ADJUSTMENTS MAY BE NECESSARY WHEN SETTING UP AFTER SHIPMENT, AND THE CLOCK IS SOLD AS IS. ENJOY THE LISTING – IF YOU NEED OR DESIRE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, PLEASE BE IN TOUCH WITH ME, STEVE. IMPORTANT NOTE – E COMMERCE AUDIO PLAYER FILES ARE ATTACHED AT THE BEGINNING OF MY LISTING. FOUR SOUND FILES OF THE SETH SONORA CHIME CLOCK NUMBER 5 - 1911 ARE INCLUDED: 1. VOICE INTRODUCTION TO THE SOUND FILES 2. PENDULUM BEAT ESCAPEMENT CRUTCH AND TIME GEAR TRAIN OPERATION SOUNDS OF THE MOVEMENT – LISTEN FOR CLEAN AND EVEN SOUND, REGULARITY, AND THE ABSENCE OF ODD NOISES. 3. WESTMINSTER SEQUENCES AT 7:15 – 7:30 – 7:45 - LISTEN FOR PURE NOTES WITH GOOD TIMBRE, RICH DECAY AND ZESTY TEMPO OF THE MOVEMENT RATHER THAN A SLOW, SLUGGISH OR DRAGGING TEMPO 4. THE FULL 16 NOTE WESTMINSTER SEQUENCE AND HOUR COUNT AT 8:00. AGAIN, LISTEN FOR PURE NOTES WITH GOOD TIMBRE AND RICH DECAY - AND AGAIN THE ZESTY TEMPO OF THE MOVEMENT RATHER THAN SLOW, SLUGGISH OR DRAGGING TEMPO. IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT SOUND RECORDING: THE MICROPHONE IS IN CLOSE PROXIMITY TO THE MOVEMENT FOR RECORDING PURPOSES, AND SOME NORMAL GEAR TRAIN OPERATION SOUNDS WILL BE HEARD. THE OPERATION SOUNDS ARE NOT NOTICED AT TYPICAL LISTENING DISTANCES. THE FILES ARE POSTED VIA THE E COMMERCE PLAYER AT THE START OF MY LISTING. SIMPLY CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON TO HEAR ALL FILES IN SUCCESSION, OR CLICK ON THE INDIVIDUAL FILE ICONS THAT APPEAR TO HEAR EACH ONE BY ITSELF. IF UNABLE TO PLAY THEM VIA THE PLAYER, YOU CAN EMAIL ME AND I WILL SEND THE .MP3 FILES TO YOU. INCLUDE YOUR REGULAR EMAIL ADDRESS PLEASE. (Condition: Pre-Owned)
Note: This item has been sold and is no longer available. This page serves as a historical price reference for clocks collectors and appraisers.