The Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company
Encyclopedia
The Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company (1904–1941) is notable as the longest lasting Canadian-based clock
manufacturer. Company advertisements explained the pronunciation of the name as "Say Peginaw."
The family of Arthur Pequegnat immigrated from Switzerland
in 1874, and initially started a business of importing watch
es for the local market in Berlin (now Kitchener, Ontario
). By 1897, the family started bicycle
production, but switched their focus to clock movements in 1904, and later started making their own cases.
By 1941, the demands of World War II
armament makers for brass, the essential ingredient in clock movements, pressed the company to stop production.
The company distinguished itself as a competitor for some of the better American pendulum clock
s, such as those made by Seth Thomas
. Their clocks often looked like models made by Seth Thomas or Sessions but some of their designs, especially the tall mantle clocks, were unique. For their wooden cases, they favored the heart wood of quarter-sawn white oak
that showed off beautiful ray flecks. The designs often had elements of the Arts and Crafts Movement
which also favored quarter-sawn white oak.
Most of their model names were based on Canadian cities. According to the Canadian Clock Museum, “approximately sixty-five cataloged models of mantel clock are known, as well as sixteen models of wall clock (with variations) and seven models of grandfather (hall) clock.” Rare samples exist of Pequegnat clocks built into a sideboard, or a grandfather clock/gramophone combination. Pequegnat was also instrumental in the production of parts for the Franco-American Clock Company whose clocks mimicked the German box or Vienna regulators.
Today, their clocks are highly collectible in Canada and command twice the price of similarly styled clocks by well-known American counterparts. One of the aspects that interests collectors is the high number of variants. Collectors can hunt for time-only, time and strike, or either of these with calendar. The company seemed to start a run with one style of trim but then would complete the run with a different style, so that it is not uncommon to find a unique sample that no one else has. The Canada Science and Technology "Museum’s collection includes more than eighty Pequegnat ...clocks, mostly acquired in 1975. This particular collection of clocks is the second largest of its kind in a public collection...." The largest private collection, of over 170 models is held by Skip and Caren Kerr in Edmonton, Alberta and represents over 30 years of collecting.
Clock
A clock is an instrument used to indicate, keep, and co-ordinate time. The word clock is derived ultimately from the Celtic words clagan and clocca meaning "bell". A silent instrument missing such a mechanism has traditionally been known as a timepiece...
manufacturer. Company advertisements explained the pronunciation of the name as "Say Peginaw."
The family of Arthur Pequegnat immigrated from Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
in 1874, and initially started a business of importing watch
Watch
A watch is a small timepiece, typically worn either on the wrist or attached on a chain and carried in a pocket, with wristwatches being the most common type of watch used today. They evolved in the 17th century from spring powered clocks, which appeared in the 15th century. The first watches were...
es for the local market in Berlin (now Kitchener, Ontario
Kitchener, Ontario
The City of Kitchener is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada. It was the Town of Berlin from 1854 until 1912 and the City of Berlin from 1912 until 1916. The city had a population of 204,668 in the Canada 2006 Census...
). By 1897, the family started bicycle
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
production, but switched their focus to clock movements in 1904, and later started making their own cases.
By 1941, the demands of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
armament makers for brass, the essential ingredient in clock movements, pressed the company to stop production.
The company distinguished itself as a competitor for some of the better American pendulum clock
Pendulum clock
A pendulum clock is a clock that uses a pendulum, a swinging weight, as its timekeeping element. The advantage of a pendulum for timekeeping is that it is a resonant device; it swings back and forth in a precise time interval dependent on its length, and resists swinging at other rates...
s, such as those made by Seth Thomas
Seth Thomas
Seth Thomas may refer to:* Seth Thomas * Seth Thomas...
. Their clocks often looked like models made by Seth Thomas or Sessions but some of their designs, especially the tall mantle clocks, were unique. For their wooden cases, they favored the heart wood of quarter-sawn white oak
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
that showed off beautiful ray flecks. The designs often had elements of the Arts and Crafts Movement
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
which also favored quarter-sawn white oak.
Most of their model names were based on Canadian cities. According to the Canadian Clock Museum, “approximately sixty-five cataloged models of mantel clock are known, as well as sixteen models of wall clock (with variations) and seven models of grandfather (hall) clock.” Rare samples exist of Pequegnat clocks built into a sideboard, or a grandfather clock/gramophone combination. Pequegnat was also instrumental in the production of parts for the Franco-American Clock Company whose clocks mimicked the German box or Vienna regulators.
Today, their clocks are highly collectible in Canada and command twice the price of similarly styled clocks by well-known American counterparts. One of the aspects that interests collectors is the high number of variants. Collectors can hunt for time-only, time and strike, or either of these with calendar. The company seemed to start a run with one style of trim but then would complete the run with a different style, so that it is not uncommon to find a unique sample that no one else has. The Canada Science and Technology "Museum’s collection includes more than eighty Pequegnat ...clocks, mostly acquired in 1975. This particular collection of clocks is the second largest of its kind in a public collection...." The largest private collection, of over 170 models is held by Skip and Caren Kerr in Edmonton, Alberta and represents over 30 years of collecting.