Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is...

[Kevin245]

I spent the afternoon with my Dad rummaging around in his basement and we dug up several old do-dads from the past. Among them were three old wall clocks manufactured by the Self Winding Clock Company of New York (1884-1970).

These appear to be "Slave" clocks that were used for time standardization.

Anybody know anything about these things?

Thanks,

Kevin

[sempi2]

IT'S 5 OCLOCK SOMEWHERE. And that is all I know

[79nTOW]

these are Western Union clocks. All western union offices had a clock like these. Some of them are more elaborate in detail. We have one on our mantle in an oak case. It is about 21/2 by 21/2.


Time was very important for WU and their telegrams ...so important that their clocks wound themselves every hour and self adjusted.


All time was measured for accuracy by WU time. They set the standard for all others for many years.


These clocks work with a dry cell battery as pictured but they have to be perfectly level or they won't work...level in all directions.

[CanoeStream]

I recall public school clocks that seemed synchronized. The hand would jump to the next minute. Whatever classroom you were in, that last minute jump at the end of a period would happen right when the bell rang indicating time to go to your next class.

Think we'd have to go back to clocks with hands if they ever shove metric time down our throats? Just sayin' ...

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

Think we'd have to go back to clocks with hands if they ever shove metric time down our throats? Just sayin' ...

"At the tone, the time will be 72 O'clock"...

Just think how precise our timekeeping would be if we had 100 hour days, and 100 minute hours, and 100 second minutes.

[snake]

Originally Posted by overlander63

"At the tone, the time will be 72 O'clock"...

Just think how precise our timekeeping would be if we had 100 hour days, and 100 minute hours, and 100 second minutes.

I think we have enough time on our hands already, let's see.... we got daylight time, standard time, zulu time, oh, dont forget airline time, where a plane can leave anywhere between 15 minutes early and 15 minutes late and still be considered to be "on time"

[345bill]

Here's one of the old school clocks that was made in USA by International. It was one of the synchronized ones that got reset from a master. It now has a clock 'kit' installed and we use it at home.

[Kevin245]

Yes it is.... So says Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones.


If I replace the dash clock in my TV with one of these I may never be late again, or least I will have an accurate assessment of just how late I am.

I emailed a self winding clock affectionado to see if these things are really worth doing much with. If so then a restoration may be this Winter's fun project.

Either way, one of these is destined for my kitchen wall where I have all sorts of vintage stuff hanging around.


Thanks,

Kevin

[vswingfield]

They are beauties, Kevin,

Interesting deco design, including the hands. Also, how can you go wrong with Naval Observatory Time?

[CanoeStream]

345bill - Nice!

Originally Posted by snake

I think we have enough time on our hands already, let's see.... we got daylight time, standard time, zulu time, oh, dont forget airline time, where a plane can leave anywhere between 15 minutes early and 15 minutes late and still be considered to be "on time"

Unless you're aboard a NW airlines flight from San Diego. The arrival margin becomes 75 minutes in that case. Anybody see what TSA did with my DVD collection?

[pmclemore]

I saw it in Scottsboro, AL; Unclaimed Baggage has it on sale.

Pat

[345bill]

Kevin, Every time I read your title to this thread I run these words through my head...Does Anybody Really Care.....About Time. CHICAGO, If I remember correctly.

Anyway, about your clocks if you decide to hang one in the kitchen and would like it useable there are clock 'kits' readily available from most of the big retailers, don't cost much and are easy to install.

The old school clock that we use at home now runs on AA batteries. It runs so long between having to change batteries I honestly can't remember if it uses one or two.

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by 345bill

Kevin, Every time I read your title to this thread I run these words through my head...Does Anybody Really Care.....About Time. CHICAGO, If I remember correctly.

Anyway, about your clocks if you decide to hang one in the kitchen and would like it useable there are clock 'kits' readily available from most of the big retailers, don't cost much and are easy to install.

The old school clock that we use at home now runs on AA batteries. It runs so long between having to change batteries I honestly can't remember if it uses one or two.

Hey Bill,

The Chicago tune is what was going through my head when I titled this thread.

The clock guy I spoke with said these things were worth around $300 a piece restored, or $100 each based on the pictures (which is much more than I'd ever pay). The small one has an aluminum body while the large ones appear to be steel.

My plan is to strip and polish the small one and hang it in the kitchen. I will remove the old movement and install a quartz one in it's place. The plan is to avoid drilling any new holes or changing things around in such a way that the clock could not be restored to original condition in the future (not my future that is).

I'm not sure about the largers ones yet.

Anyone interested in polishing my clock? Not cleaning my clock. There are plenty of people waiting around to do that already.

[Wayne&Sam]

No one suggested that it's Beer:30.

Must be wine drinkers.

[85MH325]

Originally Posted by CanoeStream

I recall public school clocks that seemed synchronized. The hand would jump to the next minute. Whatever classroom you were in, that last minute jump at the end of a period would happen right when the bell rang indicating time to go to your next class.

Those clocks in theSioux City, IA. old, OLD East Junior High School building on Morningside Avenue (before they made the old East High the junior high in 1972 and both buildings are now gone, I believe) had pneumatic clocks... all synchronized to a main pneumatic clock in the hallway outside the admin offices. A pump would drive air through the system advancing the hands one second. It was a fascinating system, and something I'd forgotten until just now. Damn I'm old. <sarchasm ON> Thanks Kevin! <sarchasm OFF>

Roger

[Kevin245]

Originally Posted by 85MH325

Damn I'm old. <sarchasm ON> Thanks Kevin! <sarchasm OFF>

Roger

Uhhhh... You're welcome?

Maybe a bit of Stones will help matters.

YouTube - The Rolling Stones - Time Is On My Side