Internet Horology Club 185
Time-O-phone ???

This topic can be found at:
https://ihc185.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/1086047761/m/1513999677

February 01, 2013, 16:50
Robert V. Jones
Time-O-phone ???
Time-O-phone ???

Ok what is this?? Brand name of watch or some special use?




tymekeeper005
February 01, 2013, 16:52
Robert V. Jones
Back shot has little exposed wheel at top that moves the top hand on dial




tymekeeper005
February 01, 2013, 17:49
Joe Straub
My guess is that it was used to time those expensive long distance phone calls back in the days when we had rotary dial phones. It snapped onto the center of the dial on a rotary dial phone after you removed the clear plastic center cover on the dial that had the phone number on it. Just squeeze together the tabs at the bottom and pop it on the center of the phone dial. Cool!

I remember having to log into a telephone log book at work all of my long distance calls including the date, time of day and length of call, so this would have been a handy accessory to have.


February 01, 2013, 18:00
Krister Olsson
Robert, the first thing that comes to mind is special use. In the old days, long distance phone calls were very expensive and were often timed by the minutes. This watch has obviously a feature for timing your phone call up to twelve minutes. As a pure coincident I have a timer made for that purpose alone and they were used locally by the village switch board operator.

Regards, Krister.


February 01, 2013, 19:01
Robert V. Jones
Ok cool first look I thought wind indicator but then I noticed wheel that moved it. Never seen one before. Like to see how it hooked up. You can see the little wheel in second picture protruding from top and it doesn feel gear reduced down much so whatever it connects to must move slow. Interesting Smile


tymekeeper005
February 01, 2013, 19:10
Samie L. Smith
Very interesting I would love too see what,s inside Smile
February 01, 2013, 19:22
Robert V. Jones
Well just for you old man I will pop it apart and see I imagine cheapie movement as it feels light.


tymekeeper005
February 01, 2013, 19:28
Joe Straub
Didn't hook up to anything, you set the pointer at zero with little wheel at the top when you started the call, and read it when you finished the call.

Kind of like the check register in the back of your checkbook, nothing automatic.

I'd like to see the inside as well. Could you do enough phone dialing everyday to keep a self-winding movement wound? Doubt it.
February 01, 2013, 19:29
Robert V. Jones
Well that was easy though might be some connection to back cover or wheel connected somehow but as you can see wheel directly conected to hand and as I thought a cheapie movement




tymekeeper005
February 01, 2013, 19:30
Robert V. Jones
movement whole 1 jewel




tymekeeper005
February 01, 2013, 19:32
Joe Straub
Probably a cheapie out of some office supply catalog. Still a cool idea I could have put to good use.
February 01, 2013, 21:47
Robert V. Jones
Joe you want it??


tymekeeper005
February 01, 2013, 22:17
Joe Straub
Robert, Thank you very much, but no thanks.

If it was 35 years ago, I would be on it right now to put to use at work.

Put it on the 'Bay' and see if you can turn a buck.

Very thoughtful of you to ask Robert.

Thanks again,
Joe
February 01, 2013, 22:23
Robert V. Jones
**** cant even give it away. no its going it a junk pile


tymekeeper005