[BC] Western Union Clocks

[Larry Wood]

The clocks with the spinning start knob were made by Hammond. I was told that the reason you had to manually start the clock was to let you know there had been a power interruption and the time was no longer accurate. Telechron used a drop down flag that would reveal a red spot to alert you to a power interruption. The flag was held in place magnetically as long as there was power. Also, GE/Telechron may have had the patent rights for a self starting electric clock motor. When Southern California Edison converted from 50Hz to 60Hz there were a lot of clocks updated or replaced.

I collected clocks for a while and Telechron clocks were my favorites, but Hammond were better made.

I have two Western Union clocks that came from an old transmitter site. They were taken out there because the glass was broken, so they missed the big clock round-up when WU got out of the clock business and demanded all of their old clocks back. They both work fine and keep good time. They self wind every five minutes! Without the glass to keep it quiet they make a gentle purring noise lasting several seconds. Below is the link to someone out there who makes retrofit kits for the WU clocks that will keep perfect time and close the synchronizing contact at the top of the hour.

http://www.kensclockclinic.com/SWC_power.html
http://www.kensclockclinic.com/pdf/Model%201900S%20White%20Paper.pdf

Cheers,

Larry Wood, CPBE
KQED-FM 

-----Original Message-----
  From: Harold Hallikainen

> The power companies still have to stay within a certain percent or 
> else severe problems happen and can cause a regional or semi-national blackout.
> But they still vary it enough to make telechron clocks not as accurate 
> as in past years. I have as my oldest Telechron a 1927 Tele Alarm. It 
> works and keeps time, but I don't use it.
>
> Powell

Does that clock have the little knob on the back that you spin to start the clock? I saw one of these once that was apparently built before the shaded pole synchronous motor was invented. It was fun to spin the knob the other way and watch time go backward.

Harold

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