I recently purchased this and it was advertised as a shaving mirror. I think that it is a rear view mirror from an early, high end automobile. I am hoping that someone can confirm my suspicion and maybe have some thoughts on what car it might have come from. It measures 9x4x3/4 inch.

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Dial Pat Feb 4 1868

Movement Series IV

Are you the Ken Snowden that has a display space in Owego, New York? If you are, I shop there and admire all of the pocket watches and Mantle clock etc. I stop there when I am going to Ithaca to visit my nephews in Spenceville. N.Y. My wife and I live in Scranton, Pa. I collect railroad grade American pocket watches.
Best wishes
Michael C. Bussacco
P.S. Your business card states that you go to your shop on Wednesdays.

Yes, Michael, you have the right person.

That is very unique !! I have not seen another. However the movement is too early for the automobiles. It's a Series IV from around the 1880's. The series IV were made from 1868-1883.

I can't think of a good reason a man would want to watch a clock while he's shaving ??

I feel someone will come forth with an answer !!

regards,
bb

maybe the guy that made it,wanted to see how long it took him to shave everyday..it doesn't actually look like a factory item to me.just my thoughts.Vic

It looks like a gift for my wife , a mirror to do your make up , and by the way we have to be there at 5. BUT Maybe a "travel " shaving stand from that era 1880s

I looked up "rear view mirror clock" on Google and it brought up several options that are similar to yours. They look a bit more finished though. I am also thinking that just because the clock is too old for the time of the motorized carriage doesn't mean that a proper clock / watch wasn't swapped out for an earlier one. Just thoughts.

Anything is possible even though the E'Howard movements are a bit bigger than other 18 size movements.

I thought that it could possibly have seen service on board a ship/boat back in the day in the wheelhouse/pilothouse or bridge by the helmsman or captain to see activity behind him and keep track of the time too !!

regards,
bb

It could well be a home-made "conversion" by the looks of the mounting and casework.

David, a homemade conversion of what?

I just got done chatting with my brother about this. He restores antique automobiles for a living. All the car clocks either of us have seen that were mounted in rear view mirrors were in (surprisingly) low to mid-range American autos. Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Sudebaker, Olds, etc.) High end cars like Packard, Lincoln, Cord, Kissel and such had clocks mounted in the dashboard, as did nearly all the British ones. Jim says that in nearly all cases, automobile clocks were eight day runners, and made by several different American clock manufacturers, but most common early ones were Waltham.

My 2 cents worth is this has to be a home made item as fit and finish is not up to par. Beside that. No watch co would allow their watch to be installed In a wooden container. Wood takes on moisture. Which would rust the hairspring. And after a short time the watch would not keep time.

I think it is a very unusual piece.

My feelings are the same as Eugene Buffard's. Especially noting that were this a professional product, the watch would be better cased. I do think it was a "rear view mirror". I also suspect the movement was "saved" from disposal for this "new" use.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your thoughts. I may never be able to definitively know what its purpose was, but I think it is still a unique piece. I will post a picture when I have serviced the movement.