What's the chance?

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So I'm in the midst of working on the DUFA box clock in my shop. I've become fond of the beastie.

Amongst other things I like that the DUFA name is not so well-known, even in clock circles but those in the know consider them to be good examples of their era. I have never seen one in the wild. Just online. 

Until now.

I regularly scan the local Craigslist for clocks. Rarely do I find anything I want to pursue. But I have had a couple hits. Including this intriguing post:


Your correspondent is, in general, not a huge fan of "grandfather" clocks, AKA tall case clocks. Mostly because of their size but also there's just a glut of inexpensive and not terribly interesting clocks out there. 

But this one intrigued me. I liked the simple, clean lines of the thing. This was the only photo provided.


Something about the beautifully spare design that really highlights the wood itself.

This tall case does not appear to be some ubiquitous, mid-70's, Howard Miller clock. 

The font used for the lettering on the dial. It's got that 20's, Art Deco vibe.

"Don't know if it works." 

Hmmm...

Well it's either going to be junk or perhaps...

I call. Jay seems like a nice guy. 

Can I come by this afternoon and look?

Sure but there's a lady who is coming by at 12. 

I'll be there at 10.

OK.

Kathleen and I hop in the car and head to Salinas.

Jay is a nice guy. Late 40's. Lives with his girlfriend. 

He bought this clock himself at a yard sale only last year and thought he'd try to repair it. No luck though. He clearly has no idea what he's doing. 

He opens the garage door.

A. It's lovely.

B. Holy crap it's a DUFA!


I have never seen one on the wild and here is a lovely tall case, right in front of me.

I look it over. Talk to Jay. 

Can I take the movement out and look at it?

Sure.

Everything is there. It's a striking clock with 8 rods. Wow, what a sound they must make. Like my DUFA box's Largo gong done big.

It's chain / weight driven. Excellent. The weights are original. Their cases are a bit cracked but they'll still work fine. The chains are clearly original.

The movement... well it's dirty, gummed up. I immediately see an absolutely terrible, but easily reversible effort to repair it. Jeez it is dirty but it looks like it is actually in very good shape.

The pendulum is clearly original and looks very good.

The case is fully intact and in fine shape. There's some trim missing from the top I think but it's subtle. Overall the wood looks very good. Only some relatively minor scuffs and scratches. The front looks very good. 

The glass is good. 

There's a little rust on the dial (as the picture above shows) but otherwise...

This clock looks complete. Everything is there and to me it looks utterly repairable.

I hand Jay $80.

That's more than I asked for.

Take it. This will make me happy.

Cool man.

We load it in the SUV. It just fits.

Holy cow. What's the chance?

Life is so strange and wonderful.

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