Seth Thomas "Regulator No. 7 long version." An antique wall clock used by the Wright, Kay & Co. in Detroit, Michigan. 225157.
Wright, Kay & Co. was a well-known Detroit jewelry firm that started in 1861 and operated until the late 1970s. It began as Roehm & Wright, and John Kay joined in 1886. By 1920, the company was on the second floor of the historic building at 1500 Woodward Ave and Campus Martius, which is now the Wright & Co. restaurant. The jeweler sold fine goods like silver tableware and china. They were known for creating unique pieces, including Art Deco designs, and were a major name in American fine jewelry through much of the 20th century.
Collectors value the Seth Thomas No. 7 wall clock for its unique look and reliable movement. The long version is especially hard to find. Originally, it came in two case sizes, with the long version having a lower door that is 3 inches longer than the short one. This extra length gives the case a more refined and attractive shape. The clock’s movement could differ depending on the version. Cases were made from walnut, cherry, or oak. The Number 7 model appeared in the 1896 catalog.
The long version for sale here is made of cherry, which many consider the best choice. It is about 48 inches long. The cherry wood has a tight grain and a warm color, making it more attractive than the other wood options. The finish looks original and is in great shape. The case features interesting shapes and detailed carvings.
The clock’s dial is made of zinc and is 12 inches across. It is still in excellent original condition. The dial has large Roman numerals inside a closed minute track. There is a small seconds dial and the maker’s trademark in their usual spots. Below the trademark, the company name, “WRIGHT, KAY & CO.,” is painted in yellow with a blue shadow.
The clock has a 72-beat brass movement known for its quality. The trapezoid plates are well finished, and four posts with blued screws hold the frames together. Cut steel pinions support the brass gears. The escapement is a Graham Deadbeat. The clock runs on weights and can go for eight days when fully wound. It also has maintaining power, so it keeps time even while you wind it.
The pendulum has a shaped wooden rod painted black and a heavy zinc bob covered in brass. The brass bob features engraved concentric circles, a design seen on other Seth Thomas clocks. A pendulum swing scale is attached to the backboard. You can see all three parts through the lower door.
This clock measures approximately 48 inches long. It is 18.25 inches wide and 7.75 inches deep.
This clock features the Seth Thomas date code stenciled on the backboard: "8881A." The code indicates that this clock was made in January 1888.
For reference, see Tran Ly's book, Seth Thomas Clocks and Movements, page 285. This clock measures approximately 48 inches long.
Inventory number 225157.
Seth Thomas was born in Wolcott, Connecticut, in 1785. He was apprenticed as a carpenter and joiner and worked building houses and barns. He started in the clock business in 1807, working for clockmaker Eli Terry. Thomas formed a clock-making partnership in Plymouth, Connecticut, with Eli Terry and Silas Hoadley as Terry, Thomas & Hoadley. In 1810, he bought Terry's clock business, making tall clocks with wooden movements. Seth chose to sell his shares in the partnership in 1812, moving in 1813 to Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut, where he set up a factory to make metal-movement clocks. In 1817, he added shelf and mantel clocks. By the mid-1840s, He successfully transitioned to brass movements and expanded his operations by building a brass rolling mill and a cotton factory. In 1853, He incorporated the business but continued to be the majority shareholder. This clock business expanded until it became one of the "BIG Seven" in Connecticut. Their product line had offerings that competed at every price point, from kitchen clocks to precision regulators. Seth Thomas died in 1859. The community of Plymouth Hollow so revered him that they changed the name on July 6, 1875, to Thomaston in his honor. After his death, his son, Aaron, took over the company's leadership. Aaron is credited with increasing the business by adding a number of new case styles and improving production methods. The company went out of business in the 1980s.
