About the Poole Clock
The Poole clock is a distinctive and elegant timepiece that served as both a precision master clock and a decorative showpiece. Manufactured by the Poole Manufacturing Company, these clocks featured a glass dome enclosure that allowed the movement, pendulum, and electrical contacts to be visible -- a design choice that was both aesthetic and practical, as it allowed technicians to observe the clock's operation without opening the case.
Design and Construction
The Poole clock's most striking feature is its glass dome, which sits atop a polished base. Inside the dome, the clock movement is fully exposed, with the pendulum swinging visibly. This design was inspired by French-style dome clocks but adapted for use as an electrical master clock with time distribution capabilities.
The electrical contact mechanism is a key component of the Poole clock's function as a master clock. These contacts close at precise intervals -- typically once per minute or once per hour -- to send synchronization pulses to slave clocks throughout a building. The contacts must make and break cleanly, without bouncing, to ensure reliable signal transmission.
The Contact Mechanism
The close-up photographs in this gallery show the electrical contact mechanism in detail. The contacts are adjusted using fine screws to ensure that they close at exactly the right moment in the pendulum's swing. Over decades of use, these contacts can wear, become pitted, or develop broken tabs -- as shown in one of the photographs. Repairing or replacing the contact mechanism is one of the most common maintenance tasks on a Poole clock.
Historical Context
Poole clocks were used in a variety of institutional settings where a visible, attractive master clock was desired. Their glass dome design made them popular for placement in lobbies, boardrooms, and other prominent locations where the exposed mechanism served as a conversation piece while quietly keeping accurate time and driving the building's clock system.
The combination of precision timekeeping and decorative appeal made Poole clocks prized by collectors. They represent a period in horological history when time distribution systems were mechanical works of art as much as they were functional instruments.
|
|
| Poole Glass Dome Clock -- full front view showing the elegant glass dome case and visible movement | Poole Clock -- alternate angle showing the dome and base construction |
|
|
| Poole Clock -- detail view of the dial and hands | Contact mechanism close-up -- the electrical contacts that generate synchronization pulses for slave clocks |
|
|
| Another view of the contact mechanism showing the adjustment screws | Poole Clock movement and pendulum visible through the glass dome |
|
|
| Broken tab on the contact mechanism -- a common repair issue on Poole clocks | |