Pendulum Clocks New Haven Sessions Gilbert Owari Takano German Clock Cuckoo Clocks Torsional Pendulum Timepieces Balance Wheel Timepieces Westclox Big Ben with Seconds Hand? Which to use? Mauthe Ingraham New Haven Waterbury Gilbert General Electric Electric Timepieces General Electric Clock Movements Links
New Haven Clock Co. 8-day kitchen clock, circa 1900 "Camden" model. Clock, movement, and stamp. Note the countwheel strike has a slot for hours and half-hours/
New Haven Black Mantle clock, circa 1915? This is a very nice original condition clock also made by New Haven Clock Co, and thus bears some similarities to the clock pictured above. However, like most mantle clocks, this one features regulation from the front, and short pendulum mounted to the back of the movement. An additional interesting feature of this clock is a fiber fly pinion in the strike train to make it more quite. Like the New Haven clock above, this one uses the strike train for both hours and halves.
Sessions Black Mantle clock, circa 1912. Someone has stripped the case of all of its decorations and then painted it to resemble green marble. First picture shows it bare as I found it, second picture is the movement, a spring-wound 8 day. Clock counts the hours on a coil gong, and sound a single note on a bell at the half. Third picture shows the case after I found some original Sessions feet and some repro lions for the sides. An interesting feature of this clock is that it can be regulated without stopping it. The last picture is one I found online and is basically the same clock, but with the decorations still intact.
Gilbert Tambour Clock, circa 1925. This is a nice original clock by the William L Gilbert Clock Co probably made in the 1920's. The clock has a nicely made and finished case and a brass 8-day movement with strike. A leather tipped hammer produces a nice tone when striking the hour and half. Like most mantle clocks, this one can be regulated from the front. Gilbert made some really fine clocks.
Owari Clock Co. This large dial wood cased clock was made in Japan by the Owari Clock Co (tokei is Japanese for clock, hence the Owaritokei marking on the dial.) Note interesting horse and globe trademark. The Owari Clock Co. apparently existed from 1894 until circa 1965. First photo shows clock after I finally got it back together and running. It was in bad shape, after being in storage in Hawaii for some time. Second photo is of the movement before cleaning. Note that it looks a lot like an Ansonia 8-day movement. This clock strikes the hours and half hours. The second and third photos show the movement before and after cleaning. Fourth photo shows the markings on the dial. Because the dial glass was broken in shipping, a lot of chips and scratches were put in it. Luckily the writing is still clear. The fifth picture shows the stamp on the movement.
Takano Clock Co., LTD School Clock. Circa 1910-1930 I thought this was a Korean-made clock, but while researching the above Owari clock, I found out the "T" circle and diamond trademark belonged to the Takano Clock Co. LTD, of Nagoya, Japan. Takano was founded in 1895. Like the Owari clock above, the movement is a copy of, or patterned after, movements made by the Ansonia Clock Co. The case appears to be made of Ash. The clock runs for 8 days and strikes the hour only.
1950's era 14 day German wall clock.
This is a 50's or 60's era 3-weight 24 hour clock that plays a melody on a 22-note music movement. First, the cuckoo calls the hour, then the Zither man comes out and plays two tunes, Tannhäuser March, and Lohengrin. The cuckoo bird's call is produced by two bellows-blown whistles tuned and played such that they imitate the call of this bird. A coil gong is also struck.
Another cuckoo clock, probably from the 1970's, has only 2 weights and only counts the hours and half-hours. It is also of 24 hour duration.
Kundo 1950's era 400 day clock.
Alarm clocks, being generally less expensive than other clocks, where the first clocks I collected. Many of them were Westclox models. Westclox clocks are very durably made, and many have survived in good condition.
Early models-these are 7 of the most commonly encountered older Westclox models, from left to right: Ben Hur with original blue paint; Big Ben Deluxe, this clock was originally crackle blue; America, a bell-top clock; Big Ben, with a black luminous dial; Sleep-Meter, this is basically a "peg-leg" version of the Ben Hur; Big Ben, this is the plain dial version; and Baby Ben. The Ben Hur and Big Ben Deluxe were made from 1927 to 1932, the others were made from circa 1910 to 1930, with the examples shown here all dating to the 1920's. Westclox stamped the date of manufacture on its movements, so it is always possible to date a Westclox to the month it was made.
Peg-leg models: the clocks with legs and bows. Left to right: America, Big Ben, Baby Ben, and Sleep-Meter. The America was produced as a bell-top model with only slight variations from the late 1880's until 1930.
Base models: Introduced in 1927: The Ben Hur, left, was a base version of the Sleep-Meter, and The Big Ben Deluxe, right. The Big Ben was repainted at some later date, but the gold base of the original blue crackle finish can be seen where the paint is chipped. The Ben Hur was not available in a crackle finish. You can see the blue crackle finish Big Be Deluxe, as well as a red (called Old Rose by Westclox) Baby Ben Deluxe in the 1927 magazine ad. The crackle green clock is the time-only Tiny Tim. All four cast-base models were available in three colors or nickel finish. In 1930, the crackle finish was discontinued in favor of solid color finish.
Base model Bens: Left to right: same clock as above photo; this is an example of the 1928-1930 non-luminous dial. Blue 1930-32 solid finish Big Ben Deluxe. Paint is not original, but close to the pastel shade that was offered. Dial is original. The numbers are gilded and the hands are fancy skeleton hands; this same dial & hands was also used on brushed nickel "Butler" finished style 2's from 1930-32. Center Big Ben, the "Deluxe" was dropped from all style 2's around 1930. The Baby Ben, foreground, is in its original crackle 'Old Rose' finish. Crackle 'Old Rose' Big Ben, this example shows the luminous gold dial, which was used from about 1928-1932 on all paint finished (and maybe butler finished) style 2's. Right, style 2 nickel finished luminous dial.
Early model luminous dial versions. Here's a nice view to compare the different luminous dials and hands on the early models. Note the Jack O'Lantern, which is a luminous Sleep Meter. This is one of only a very few models that had separate luminous dial names. Note the fancy skeleton hands used on the gold dial style 2.
The gilded dial style 2 must have seemed quite extravagant in the early 1930's.
While the peg-leg Big Ben was produced until 1935, the Big Ben and Baby Ben Deluxe were made until 1932. I do not know when production of Ben Hur and Tiny Tim stopped.
Westclox middle models: Style 3 Big Ben, left; style 4 Baby Ben, middle; and style 5 Big Ben, right. The style 3 Big Ben was made from 1931-1934, and was available as a chime alarm only. No loud alarm option was available from 1932-1934. When the style 4 Big and Baby Bens were introduced in 1934, the Big Ben was available as a loud alarm or chime alarm, and will be identified as such on the dial. The style 4 Bens were made until 1939, when the style 5 case was introduced.
The style three Bens:
Westclox style 5 Big, right, and Baby, left, Bens. This case style was made from 1939 to 1949, with a few years interruption due to WWII. The case was designed by Henry Dreyfuss, who also designed the round Honeywell Thermostat. The Baby Ben bears this resemblance much stronger than the Big Ben. The Baby Ben shown here is interesting for a few reasons. The date stamped on the movement is 6 5 44-that's right, during WWII! Apparently, a few were made during the war. This one has an absolute minimum of nickel. Baby Ben movements were normally nickel plated until about 1951, but this one is plain brass. The keys and knobs on the back are also finished differently. Black clocks normally had nickel keys and knobs, this clock has blackened brass finish knobs and keys.
Westclox style 7 Bens: Big Bens on the back row, Baby Ben on the front. For continuity, I have included a Big Ben Electric. This case style was made from 1956-1964
The early style 7 Baby Bens made prior to 1960 were the last to use the old 2-key Baby Ben movement. Other than changes to accommodate the changing case styles, the movement had not changed in any substantial way since the mid 1920's. The new single key movement would go on to be the last American made Westclox movement. Below, early on left, late on right.
This photo illustrates the style 6 and two style 7 movements. Note that the alarm barrel bridge on the early style 7 movement is missing in this view.
Barrel bridges on style 7 movements are slightly different, and bridges off of 6 and earlier movements will not fit. Below, 6 on left, 7 on right. Note the larger plate nuts on the 7 and use of less material on 7 bridge.
Westclox late models: Big Ben style 7, left; Big Ben style 8, middle, and Big Ben style 9, right. The style 8 Bens were made from 1964 until 1980. The Style 8 Bens were the last Bens made in Illinois. The style 9 Bens were made from 1980 until 2001. The style 9 Bens were the last Westclox Bens to be made in the United States.
Westclox Baby Bens: these three are clocks I have pieced together. Left, a style 6 Baby Ben. The style 6 Bens were made from 1949 to 1956. Middle, a style 7 Baby Ben. Right, a style 8 Baby Ben.
For years it has bothered me that Westclox chose to put the fourth wheel exactly in line with the center wheel and alarm hand on the Big Ben movement, but never had a Big Ben with a seconds hand in the 6 o'clock position like a pocket watch or many contemporary German clocks. So I did. The fourth wheel is exactly 1" below the center wheel, and using a Big Ben parts clock and a scanned copy of the dial off my 1922 peg-leg Big Ben, I made a dial with a seconds bit at the 6 o'clock position.
The red seconds hand came off a late model twin bell parts clock, and though I'd like to use another alarm hand for the seconds bit, I rather like the red hand and may do a little filing on it so it will better match the other hands. It was very easy to extend the fourth wheel arbor. All Westclox wheels are built-up castings using brass wheels, and wires for the pinion leaves and pivots. The fourth wheel, escape wheel, and verge all use the same size wire for the pivot, so a piece was salvaged and pushed into the fourth wheel to extend the pivot to mount the hand. Why Westclox didn't make the Big Ben like this is a good question. The dial looks rather interesting with the additional and useful seconds bit. Many of the good quality European alarm clocks had a 6 o'clock seconds bit, and the Westclox Big Ben was also a good quality clock, so why not? (Note: Westclox did make some models with a seconds bit for specialist uses. The time only Tom Thumb, for example, normally did not have a seconds hand, but some were made for the US Medical Association with a seconds hand.)
This is a question I get occasionally, and it is an interesting one, given the choices I have. I've put this in the Westclox section because I very rarely use anything but the Westclox models, though I do have a nice Ansonia 8-day automatic. I am currently working on I'd like to try! I do rotate which clock stands on the night stand every few weeks or so, though if there is one I like, I'll use it for months at a time.
Let me start by listing the ones I don't use, or try to avoid actually using: any of the gold dial models. They are simply too hard to read in the dark. Any style 8 or 9. They look and feel cheap, and I don't like the sound of the alarms. Any model that uses the single key Baby Ben movement for pretty much the same reason.
Ones I like usually have the following: easy to read dial, luminous hands, nice sounding alarm bell. Here's what I've used most frequently in the past 4 or 5 years: Any style 1-6 loud alarm (usually just the 1 or 5, though it doesn't matter too much; I usually leave the 1's and 2's on repeat), style 5 Baby Ben ,style 7 Big and Baby Ben, and style 6 chime alarm. I think the longest used single model though was an early 1920's America, which I used for nearly 4 years until I got my first style 1. Sometimes I find the loud tick helpful to sleep, I opt for the loud alarms. Sometimes I want it quite I go for the 7's or the chime alarms.
This clock is rather interesting for one reason; it is an outright copy of a Westclox style 1A Big Ben. The F. Mauthe Clock Co. was in business from the 1880's until 1976. I am not sure when this clock was produced, but I'd guess the 1930's or 1950's. The case is made like most German bell back alarm clocks; there is no inner case back, the bell is the actual back and attaches to a mounting bridge on the back of the movement. This clock also features an orange sweep seconds hand, mounted between the hour hand and dial. A second hand bridge carries a hand tube & idler, which take their drive from the fourth wheel, which is mounted at the 6'oclock position. Note that the alarm bit dial is much closer to the center post, and all of the number 12 is visible.
In looking at the pictures below, it is remarkable what a close copy it is. The 1st photo shows the clock by itself, second photo is the Mauthe logo in the alarm bit. In the third photo is the Mauthe clock sitting next to a Westclox Big Ben. Both clocks are the same size, and the dial are very similar.
The steady/repeat and alarm/silent levers are in the same arrangement as the 1A Big Ben
The back of the Mauthe, left; and right, the Mauthe and Big Ben side by side. Note that even the keys are copied. The regulator slot is under the rear foot.
Left, back of clock with bell removed showing movement and position in clock. Right, time train of movement and steady/repeat mechanism.
Two side by side comparison shot of the dials; Mauthe is on the left in both sets.
Here are three models made by the E. Ingraham Clock Co.: left, a 1930's or 40's era 8-day alarm clock "Sentinel Dawn"; middle, a 1920's era "Double Duty" 30-hr alarm; and right, a 1920's or 1930's 30-hr alarm in a cast case. The two 30-hr clocks both use the same movement.
Left, a New Haven Clock Co. time only in a heavy cast case. Middle, a Waterbury Clock Co. "Thrift" model. Right, a William L Gilbert Clock Co. "Merit" model.
This is a 2-hour timer. Was probably used for timing X-ray equipment and other processes. I use it as a cooking timer.
General Electric Telechron Clock Model 531, "The Lorraine", 1929.
This section will detail the movements themselves.
Gilbert Movements
These are a few photos showing different details of a typical American 8-day mantle clock. This movement was designed to strike the hours on a gong, and a bell on the half hours. In some pictures, you will note that the hour hammer has been bent to strike the bell. It is similar in general details, to the movement used in the Gilbert Tambour clock shown above.
Striking train:
Train wheels and pinions:
The escapement:
Regulator:
General view of movement:
Sessions Movements
The movement shown here is similar to the one in the complete clock listed above, however, it is designed to strike the half-hour on the same gong that the hours are counted on. T do this and use the same count wheel as the half-hour bell models, an extra arm has been added to hammer shaft so that the cam in the minute arbor will activate it without the use of the strike train. Contrast this to the New Haven clock which used the strike train to strike both the hour and half hour.
Strike train:
Center wheel pinion:
Escapement and Regulator:
General view of movement:
Telechron Clocks-A really great site covering GE/Telechron clocks to 1959, covering virtually every model.
Westclox Clock History-Focus on Big/Baby Bens
Antique and Vintage Westclox Identification Homepage- For all Westclox models
Cloxmonkey-Very high Quality restorations and repair of Westclox clocks. It is my clock dream to have my luminous dial Big Ben restored by him... check out his bragging sheet for factory new/museum quality restorations.
Owari Clock Co (English). Owari Clock Co (Japanese). Some information on the Japanese Owari Clock Company.
Dan & Diana's Lux Clock Collection A very nice online gallery of clocks made by the Lux Clock Co.
