The Arthur Pequegnat Clock Co.

by Victoria JL Fisher

The Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company was the most successful early 20^th century Canadian clock company and one of the few manufacturing tall-case (grandfather) and pendulum clocks for sale. Arthur Péquegnat was the eldest of fourteen children in a Swiss watchmaking family who emigrated to Canada in 1874 and settled in Berlin (now Kitchener), the nearest German-speaking community to their port of entry.

After two decades of successful commercial ventures (men’s wear, jewellery) run both individually and between all the brothers working together, Arthur founded a bicycle factory at 53-61 Frederick Street in the 1890s, with the goal of making more efficient bicycles (“racycles”). The bicycles were advertised as being “built like a watch”. (Varkaris, 22)

At the beginning of the 20^th century, bicycles no longer selling so well, Arthur turned to the manufacture of clocks, employing some of his brothers in the process. The company continued to produce clocks until 1941, when production ended due to war limitations on the supply of brass. The factory and machines were leased during the remaining war years, but this work damaged the equipment and it was sold off cheaply. (Varkaris, 27)

Initially, the clock cases were made by a local furniture and carpentry firm, the Berlin Interior Hardwood Co., founded at about the same time as the clock company. Later, Péquegnat manufactured both movements and cases. Alongside clocks and bicycles, the company also made gas meters. (Varkaris, 26)

Many of the Péquegnat clocks was named for a Canadian icon. Mainly cities—Halifax, Ottawa, Berlin—but also Canadian creatures, like the beaver, and—like this clock—Canada itself.

The face of a "Canada" brand tall-case clock manufactured by the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Co., 1904-1916.
Acorn-shaped weights in a "Canada" brand tall-case clock manufactured by the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Co., 1904-1916.
A "Canada" brand tall-case clock manufactured by the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Co., 1904-1916.
A label inside the case of the "Canada" tall-case clock which reads, "Hall Clock Made in Canada by THe Arthur Pequegnat Clock Co., Berlin, Canada." The name given for Kitchener, Ontario (Berlin), dates the clock to before 1916.
The front page of a Arthur Pequegnat Clock Co. catalogue, "Pequegnat Clocks." The text highlights the Canadian manufacture and quality of the clocks.

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Timeline

1874 – Arthur Péquegnat (b. 1851) immigrates to Ontario from Switzerland with his parents and siblings.

1896 – Bicycle factory founded at 53-61 Frederick Street, Berlin (Kitchener).

1900-1904 – Factory at 53-61 Frederick Street retooled for clock manufacture; production begins.

1916 – City of Berlin changed its name to Kitchener.

1920s – Construction of clock cases begins in factory in Breslau, Ontario.

1923 – Production of bicycles ends.

1927 – Arthur Péquegnat dies; Edmond Péquegnat, Arthur’s son, takes over the management of the factory.

1941 – Production of clocks ends due to war-related limitations on the supply of brass.

1964 – Company dissolved.

"Canada" Tall-Case Clock

1975.0313 - Tall Case Clock - Catalogue (n.d.)

Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company

Sources

Canadian Clock Museum “The Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company” (http://www.canclockmuseum.ca/canadian_makers/The_Arthur_Pequegnat_Clock_Company.html [27/10/23])

Lavoie, Paul L. Clocks – Made in Canada by The Arthur Pequegant Clock Co. (1973) (Ingenium Library, Ottawa – Trade Literature)

Varkaris, J., Varkaris C. The Pequegnat Story – The Family and the Clocks (Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, 1982)

“Berlin & Racycle Manufacturing Co.” (https://generations.regionofwaterloo.ca/showmedia.php?mediaID=3304 [10/30/23])