Antique Wood Bell Metronome de Maelzel by Seth Thomas Clocks Dark Walnut, Fully Restored, Brass Trim

This is a beautiful Antique Seth Thomas wind-up Metronome with Bell chime to count out measures! It is a real treasure to find and was made probably around 1920, but could be earlier, because Seth Thomas started producing metronomes in the late 1800's. This fully restored and serviced metronome runs strong like it was brand new. The unique bell chime on this metronome is a feature you can use to signal the start of a measure that has either 2, 3, 4, or 6 beats per measure. The bell can also be set to not strike at all, so it functions as regular metronome. This is a very useful but rare option not normally seen on metronomes. It is complete with no missing parts, and a solid case with no loose parts, open cracks, or splits. All bottom feet are there and the metronome rests completely level on a flat surface. The finish has a bumps and finish touchups as would normally be expected from one this old - some may be visible in the pictures, such as the front middle edge between the top cover and lower bottom front panel, and an area on the top tip, see pictures. There are no loose wood seams, beat boards or cracks anywhere. This ensures that the sound of this metronome is crisp and clean, not dull had those issues been ignored. You will probably not find another one of these rare bell metronomes in a solid, tight case with the movement already serviced. Those sellers that actually do this detailed movement service will say so in their listings. The finish shines up pretty well with a moderate uniform alligator which you should be able to see the reflections in the close up pictures. This original texture of the finish hides fingerprints better than a glossy smooth finish. The dark walnut stained wood case is made out of solid wood, possibly birch (no veneers) and has a pretty dark brown grain throughout. The original front dust cover door is a good match to the rest of the case and it appears to be the original cover for this metronome. Since this is an antique, there are some signs of age related usage on the instrument, but no abuse. Please see all 18 pictures and notice how beautiful this piece is! A video demonstrating the bell function of this metronome from my shop can be seen above in the last picture slot.

It has a mint condition, signed "ST" in a diamond trademark beat scale that is the original beat scale, with great contrast making it quite readable. The wood on either side of the beat scale is coated in Adamantine, the same material Seth Thomas used in their mantel clocks starting in 1882. The beautiful looking, large sized plaque on the front is made of solid brass and signed in fancy curved script, "Metronome De Maelzel, France, Amerique, Belgique, Paris, Hollande, Angleterre", and the Made in USA movement that runs like new. The movement is held together with blued steel screws. The movement says Made in US America. It has a visual pendulum swing with its sliding weight to adjust the tempo and a very even, loud ticking sound as it runs and the blue steel bell sounds crystal clear. That sliding weight grips the stick firmly and stays up where it is set to. Note: To keep the weight gripping the stick, there is a thin spring strip that maintains pressure. The weight should only be nudged up and down with pressure applied along the direction of travel. NO pressure should ever be applied pushing the top half inward towards the center, as that would strain the spring strip and cause it to lose grip. The sliding weight glides smoothly over it throughout its whole 40 to 208 range. Beware of other metronomes pictured with the sliding weight slid all the way to the bottom as they probably don't grip the stick. Only a classic mechanical metronome produces the solid and desirable "wood block" ticking sound.

The brass bell-chime movement was just cleaned, adjusted and oiled, saving you at least $200 over other "as found" metronomes (I know, since I work full-time in a clock repair shop doing movement cleaning and overhauls). The movement's condition is actually more important to a musician than the look of the exterior case. Note the lack of lint and built up grease and dirt on the close-up picture of my metronome movements that you might find on other seller's metronomes described as being in very good working condition (if you are lucky to even get a close up picture of the movement). Not many of the other metronomes you may find elsewhere get the proper kind of servicing of the movement and you may soon have issues with those other metronomes that have not been serviced properly. This is a labor intensive service where the entire movement was disassembled, cleaned, each gear was inspected for damage, pivots polished, hard brass bushings added where needed (pressed in from the inside of the movement), mainspring removed from barrel, cleaned and lubricated, and re-assembled. This was done for you so you can enjoy it right away rather than waiting on a clock repair shop. After cleaning, the entire movement was oiled with synthetic clock oil, and then tested. It should not need cleaning again for about 10 to 20 years. I have included pictures of the movement in the link so you can see its inner beauty and cleanliness, which is also rare to find in other antique metronome listings. Everything remains original to this movement to preserve its antique value, including the longer mainsprings used by Seth Thomas to ensure very accurate time keeping between windings. The fresh, complete servicing of this movement gives it the widest possible pendulum swing. It is also unique in that there is a Geneva stop wheel to help prevent overwinding, and this also serves to prevent trying to run the metronome when the spring needs winding, a very useful feature. This metronome was also just calibrated at 80 beats per minute where it is most accurate, and will run for over 3000 beats per full winding, possibly a little less than 3000 beats when using the bell. For other speed settings, it is still quite accurate for a mechanical metronome, but no mechanical metronome will be as accurate as an electronic one. For example, at 40 BPM, it is +4%, 160 it is -1.5% and 200 it is -2.5% respectively. Most importantly: It keeps an even beat whether the sliding weight is set to 40 or 208 - a challenge to find in other metronomes described as "working perfectly".

Has the wood cover door in great condition, and a brass hook latch that holds the door securely closed, and two steel pins on the bottom that fit in the base of the metronome. Has a 70% complete instruction label on the cover, this original label being partially readable, if you wish a clean .jpg image of a complete label, please email me after the sale. This is rare to have most of the original label as many are completely missing by now. The winding key is original and it has the original brass rings next to the case under the keys to protect the finish. Even the tiny finish nails are brass, tightly secured and all original! All exterior brass parts have been polished to look like new and re-lacquered to prevent tarnish. Both the front bottom raised feet and the back foot are designed to allow the sound of the bell to reflect off the smooth surface (like a piano) the metronome is placed upon. The bottom cover is custom made to resemble the original cover for this metronome, and it matches the rest of the case very well. This full-sized instrument measures about 9 inches high (as measured from the feet to the very top tip) and 4.5 inches wide.

Many music teachers recommend the mechanical metronome due to its visual swinging pendulum similar to the way the music conductor moves his or her hands. It is easier to anticipate the downbeat bell signal when seeing this action out of the corner of your eye. I can personally attest to that fact, for a metronome very much like this one helped me as a musician in the Livingston Symphony Orchestra during my individual practice sessions. This metronome must have been cherished its entire life, and it is looking for a new home on your piano or organ, and most of all, it runs great! Perfect for the collector, or for music lessons. This would also make a great present!

If you are looking to purchase a Maelzel type metronome to use in your own music practice sessions, you have come to the right shop! My restored metronomes keep an even beat when put on a level surface whether the sliding weight is set to 40 or 208 - a challenge to find in other metronomes described as "working perfectly". Note that I'm also a musician in a jazz band who uses a mechanical metronome, so I know what it takes to properly service a metronome. I have yet to find a clock repair horologist that does BOTH the professional repair of mechanical metronomes AND actually use a mechanical metronome for their own music practicing.

This is a premium metronome, unmatched by anything made today. The newer ones from Germany or France being made now or within the last decade or so, tend to use plastic in the movement and/or case and feel cheap. Those ones are not built to last and are not able to be fully disassembled for servicing in the future. Also, with their plastic gears having their mainsprings enclosed in plastic barrels, those cannot be lubricated without eventually damaging the plastic. This American made Seth Thomas metronome listed in my shop is for one made of all wood, brass and steel, no plastic at all anywhere, period!

These vintage metronomes amaze me, they are built to last - can you imagine any other mechanical consumer product still working well after 80 years? The truly amazing thing is with proper care they will work easily for another 100 years, as these movements are made to be serviced as easily or easier as other American clocks from long ago! There are no plastic parts in these movements, only brass plates and gears with steel pinions, pivots and arbors. They hold their value and are an excellent investment to add to your collection and estate. No Seth Thomas clock collection is complete without one of these metronomes by this famous clock maker.

Note, I have listed this at a price point to reflect the rarity, quality of the restoration work and investment. This is important when you consider many metronomes you currently find listed have never been cleaned, calibrated and/or have an uneven beat, and show tarnish on the brass parts. It would be a challenge to find a wood Seth Thomas metronome having the Bell Chime option in better cosmetic and mechanical working condition.

Thank you in advance for your business!