Vintage Bentima 8-Day Mahogany Mantel Clock Platform Escapement Serviced

Meet Monty

Monty comes from a fascinating transitional period in British clockmaking. His elegant mahogany case and traditional gong strike belong to the familiar world of the mantel clock, while his compact platform escapement offered something distinctly more modern: dependable mechanical timekeeping without a pendulum to level or adjust.

Dating is indicative, based on the style of the case and dial and the design of the movement, and points to around 1965, towards the end of Britain's mainstream domestic mechanical-clock era, shortly before electric and quartz clocks began taking over the nation's mantelpieces.

Fully serviced and returned to proper working order, Monty is ready to begin his next chapter.

Mahogany Case and Mid-Century Dial

The compact arched case is finished in richly coloured mahogany veneer, with lighter vertical stringing accentuating the sweeping front profile. The wood displays attractive natural figuring, and the photographs show the case as it presents today.

The silvered dial is signed Bentima and combines raised Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9 with slender applied hour markers and an intricate basket-weave centre. Dark hands and a warm brass-tone bezel complete the wonderfully stylish period appearance.

British 8-Day Mechanical Movement

Monty is powered by a traditional two-train, spring-driven mechanical movement designed to run for approximately eight days from a full wind.

Instead of a conventional pendulum, the movement uses a platform balance escapement. This compact arrangement was a distinctly modern feature for a British mantel clock of the period and makes the clock far less sensitive to levelling than a pendulum-driven model.

The striking train sounds the hours on a large coiled gong, producing a clear, resonant tone appropriate to the clock's compact size.

Serviced by Mahn & Co

The mechanical movement has been removed from the case, dismantled and professionally serviced. Components were cleaned, inspected and lubricated with Novostar oil on the mainsprings and synthetic clock oil on the pivots, before the movement was reassembled, adjusted and tested.

The mahogany case, dial, glass and metalwork have also been carefully cleaned. The aim has been to preserve Monty's authentic vintage character rather than make him look artificially new.

At a Glance

Condition

Monty is presented in attractive vintage condition, with light surface marks and gentle age-related patination to the bezel and dial. Please refer to the photographs, which form part of the description, for a full visual record of his condition.

Please note: This is an original vintage mechanical clock rather than a modern quartz timepiece. Minor adjustment after transport may occasionally be required, and exact timekeeping can vary slightly with temperature, position and winding state.