A Handsome Late-1930s Clock From a Storied London Retailer

This is a handsome British Art Deco mantel clock retailed by Camerer Cuss & Co of 54–56 New Oxford Street, London, one of the great names in London's clock and watch trade, with roots stretching back to 1788. The oak case has a warm, rich colour, with carved stylised leaf-motif columns to each side that give it real period character.

The square dial has a figured veneer surround, chrome bezel, and bold Roman numerals, printed with the retailer's name and address and marked "BRITISH MADE". Inside is a two-train Perivale movement, striking on a coiled gong, Perivale being a well-regarded British clock manufacturer known for solidly made spring-driven movements through the 1930s to 1950s.

It's had the full Mahn & Co treatment and is ready to go straight onto your mantelpiece.

Camerer Cuss & Co, New Oxford Street

Camerer Cuss & Co is one of London's most storied clock and watch retailers, with a history stretching back to 1788, when the Camerer and Kuss families, both originally from the Black Forest region of Germany, began trading in Bloomsbury. The firm built its early reputation importing Black Forest clocks before opening a flagship shop and workshop on Oxford Street in the 1860s, later renumbered to 56 New Oxford Street, the very address printed on this dial.

The Kuss name was anglicised to Cuss around the time of the First World War, and the firm continued trading under the Camerer Cuss name for the rest of the century, eventually closing its last store in 2002 after more than 200 years in business. Owning a piece with this retailer's name on the dial connects it directly to one of the great names of British horological retail.

The movement itself is by Perivale, a British manufacturer based in Perivale, Middlesex, that built its name through the 1930s, 40s and 50s producing solid, well-engineered spring-driven clock movements, including striking and chiming models supplied to numerous retailers and clockmakers of the period.

There is a faint chalk mark inside the case that appears to read 8/39, though this hasn't been treated as a confirmed date and is offered only as an observation for interested buyers.

Fully Serviced & Running Beautifully

The movement has been inspected, cleaned, and lubricated using Novostar oil on the mainspring and synthetic clock oil on the pivots, then tested. It is running well with a strong, steady tick and strikes correctly on the coiled gong.

At a Glance

Honest Assessment — This One Presents Well