{"product_id":"large-rare-industrial-cast-iron-factory-clock-by-gent-of-leicester","title":"Large \u0026 Rare Industrial Cast Iron Factory Clock by Gent of Leicester","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"feed\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"article\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ch2 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eLarge \u0026amp; Rare Industrial Cast Iron Factory Clock by Gent of Leicester\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIG222099\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eA large, rare and exceptionally characterful \u003cstrong\u003eindustrial cast iron factory clock by Gent \u0026amp; Co. Ltd of Leicester\u003c\/strong\u003e — a format seldom encountered at this scale and in this quality of original condition. Where the standard Gent institutional clock was pressed steel or spun metal, this example is housed in a \u003cstrong\u003esubstantial cast iron body\u003c\/strong\u003e of a kind produced for the most demanding industrial environments: foundries, engineering works, heavy manufacturing — sites where the clock was expected to endure decades of heat, vibration, dirt and hard use, and did exactly that.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAt \u003cstrong\u003e28 kilograms\u003c\/strong\u003e and an overall diameter of \u003cstrong\u003e23 inches\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is an imposing object with considerable physical presence. It commands a wall rather than decorates it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe Clock\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe case is the primary statement — a \u003cstrong\u003edeep-profile cast iron drum\u003c\/strong\u003e finished in the period institutional green, the paint surface carrying the textured, slightly hammered character of original factory application. The bezel ring is a substantial moulded casting with a pronounced rolled edge, and the \u003cstrong\u003ethree cast iron mounting lugs\u003c\/strong\u003e — one at twelve o’clock and two at the three and nine positions — are a defining functional detail of this format: designed for fixed bracket or direct wall mounting in industrial buildings, the lugs confirming this as a clock built for permanent installation rather than domestic hanging. Original brass fixing screws are present in the case surround.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe dial is the most visually striking element. A \u003cstrong\u003ewhite-ground painted metal face\u003c\/strong\u003e, it has developed an \u003cstrong\u003eextraordinary natural oxidation\u003c\/strong\u003e across its surface — an organic map of amber, ochre, burnt sienna and deep rust bloom spreading from the centre outward, pooling and forming around the numerals and minute track with the quality of a natural landscape or an aged painting. It is a surface of remarkable beauty that could not be manufactured or replicated. Beneath and through the patination, the \u003cstrong\u003ebold raised black Arabic numerals\u003c\/strong\u003e remain fully legible — a robust moulded form that reads at distance even from across a large industrial space, as they were designed to do. The minute track is a crisp alternating arrangement of rectangular dash markers and dot indicators at the five-minute positions, printed in black on the white ground, surviving well beneath the surface variation. The \u003cstrong\u003eGENTS’ OF LEICESTER\u003c\/strong\u003e maker’s mark sits clearly in the lower centre of the dial face.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003ehands are original and complete\u003c\/strong\u003e — the same distinctive Gent mid-century format: a broad arrow hour hand and long tapered spear minute hand, both terminating in the characteristic \u003cstrong\u003ebat-wing or star counterbalance form\u003c\/strong\u003e at the tail, finished in matte black. Against the extraordinary oxidised dial surface they have a near-sculptural quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eScale\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003ePhotographs alone do not fully communicate what 28 kilograms of cast iron and a 23-inch diameter means in a room. The scale shot included in this listing demonstrates it clearly: this clock is a significant architectural object. It suits the largest commercial, hospitality and industrial conversion spaces, and in the right domestic setting — a double-height room, a large loft, an architect’s house — it becomes the defining element of a wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eGent of Leicester\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGent \u0026amp; Co. Ltd of Leicester\u003c\/strong\u003e supplied public and institutional timekeeping infrastructure to British industry, railways and civic buildings from the mid-nineteenth century onwards, their slave clock systems providing synchronised time across factories, hospitals, schools and stations throughout the UK and Commonwealth. The cast iron format represents the most robust and durable expression of their factory range — built for the hardest working environments in British industry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\"\u003ePower\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eAs a slave clock, this piece is \u003cstrong\u003eoffered for display or conversion\u003c\/strong\u003e to independent battery or mains operation with a suitable replacement movement. Please enquire regarding conversion options.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eIdeal For\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLarge industrial conversions, warehouses and loft apartments\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStatement commercial, retail and hospitality installations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eArchitects and interior designers working with industrial materials at scale\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRestaurant and bar environments seeking commanding wall presence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSerious collectors of British industrial and institutional design\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eTechnical Specification\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaker\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eGent \u0026amp; Co. Ltd, Leicester, England\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIndustrial factory slave clock · Cast iron\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eEngland\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEra\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMid twentieth century, circa 1940s–1960s\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStock No.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIG222099\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDial Diameter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e457mm (18\")\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverall Diameter\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e584mm (23\")\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDepth\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e76mm (3\")\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e28kg\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCast iron drum · Period institutional green paint · Three cast iron mounting lugs · Original brass fixing screws\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDial\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePainted metal · Raised black Arabic numerals · Extraordinary natural oxidation patina · Original minute track intact\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHands\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOriginal matte black arrow and spear form with bat-wing counterbalance\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePower\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOffered for display or battery\/mains conversion — please enquire\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUK Export HS Code\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e9105 21 00\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVery good condition for age and type. Cast iron case structurally sound with original painted finish. Dial intact with remarkable natural oxidation surface — a feature of the piece, not damage. Original hands complete. Honest surface character consistent with working factory installation over several decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4 dir=\"ltr\"\u003eShipping\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eWorldwide shipping available — please enquire for a quote. At 28kg this piece requires specialist packing; please allow additional lead time. All shipments are fully insured through \u003cstrong\u003eSecursus\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Gents of Leicester","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56506821509499,"sku":"IG222099","price":1750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0013\/5161\/4544\/files\/Large-Rare-Industrial-Cast-Iron-Factory-Clock-by-Gent-of-Leicester.jpg?v=1792015245","url":"https:\/\/industrialglow.co.uk\/products\/large-rare-industrial-cast-iron-factory-clock-by-gent-of-leicester","provider":"Industrial Glow Limited","version":"1.0","type":"link"}