October 13, 2009, 12:09
Tom BrownElectric Clock Ball Watch Co. Cleveland
I am curious where this Ball Watch Co. electric clock might have been used, it has a wiring diagram on the back that shows the clock could be hooked up to a Simplex Time Signal control, I would guess similar to the ones used by Western Union to synchronize there clocks.
Thanks
Tom
October 15, 2009, 14:33
Tom BrownThanks Lindell
I will post more later, I just received the clock in the mail today & will take a better look at it.
Tom
October 15, 2009, 16:10
Tom BrownIt looks like this clock dates to sometime after 1940, I was able to find the patents for the numbers listed on the back & they were applied for in 1938, 39 & 40.
The clock has a dial diameter of approx 13" & the brown metal case is 14 1/4".
The glass is a dome shape & is made of glass, it is held in place with a spring.
October 15, 2009, 16:12
Tom BrownI removed the glass & the dial is paper stuck to a metal backing, I assume it is original but can not say for sure. The dial has a few brown marks on it, I am not sure if they were caused by sun light or what.
October 15, 2009, 16:13
Tom BrownAt the top of the dial these numbers are visible.
October 15, 2009, 16:15
Tom BrownPaper sticker giving wiring diagram for connectin to time sync.
October 15, 2009, 16:17
Tom BrownClose up of patent numbers
October 15, 2009, 16:18
Tom BrownOn the right side of the movement is apparently where the sync lines were connected.
October 15, 2009, 16:20
Tom BrownI have had it plugged in & running for several hours now & it seems to keep very good time, it is also the quietest electric clocks I have ever had, most of them seem to hum loud, this one I can't hear running.
Tom
October 15, 2009, 22:16
Tom BrownAfter taking a good look & this clock & speaking to Lindell by phone, he & I got to wondering if this was perhaps a home made dial on the clock. It had some inconsistencies, the dial cut near the top & what appeared to be a crease near the center.
This evening I was able to remove the dial & sure enough someone made the dial & placed it over the original Simplex dial. It looks like it was done quite a while back & it actually looks like it was hand drawn.
The seller who I bought this from has agreed to refund my money, I don't think it had a clue about the dial being fake, he had purchased this from a retiring watchmaker along with other things.
So I learned a lesson here, if it is worth faking someone will.
Tom
October 16, 2009, 10:45
Mark CrossThose hands sure look like the old IBM electric clock hands I used to stare at day in and day out in elementary school, which used a synronized system connected to a master clock located in the school office next to the principles secretaries desk. Bit thick hour hand, and narrow minute hand.
I remember those hands well. MAN that was a long time ago, but I remember those clocks well! (grins)
Regards! Mark