Great video! I'm in Santa Monica as well, just got my first Self Winding Naval Observatory Time Clock, great condition works perfect with new movement. It's one of those clock you show in your video, a square brown casing and round face, with minute circle inside to the numbers, very Art Deco style numbers. My serial is 78610 (same on motor and metal plate), looks like it could be from 1920's or 30's just by design. I have 1939 WU brochure it listed as model number #43.
Hi Ed, Glad to hear you now have a SWCC clock and happy to hear from a neighbor. I don't see many model 43 clocks. I like the design. If you have any questions I could try to help. Alan jabloore@aol.com
I first seen a SWCC clock at a garage sale, I couldn't afford the purchase. It was in a barn and in rough shape. I've been fascinated by these ever since.
It's interesting the see the variation of the hands vs. the rest of the packaging. I think I have one of the round metallic "rental" clocks, and the hands differ from the one you had in the video. I will have to take note of the serial number next time I have the clock open and see if that answers any questions, or just creates more. Thanks for the time you invested making this video.
@@SelfWindingClocks Mine doesn't have the sweep second hand. In fact, I noticed that my round clock looks very similar to the square metal clock in the middle of the thumbnail slide of your video. Mine doesn't have the synchronize light, though. Interesting beasts these clocks are, with quite a long history of manufacturing.
@@lmamakos The signal light feature was added to new clocks some time after these types of clocks were in service. Not sure if some clocks were retro fitted. Still a puzzle about your clock hands.
Great video as usual, Alan! My Model 33 from Les has a movement and ID tag stamped 185013, in a case with papers printed with a “30” prefix that I believe indicates the year. Based on dates in your video, I think my clock was made in 1930 using a movement made 2-3 years earlier.
I worked with these clocks in England on the London Underground (Subway), they bought over 400 hundred in the early 1900s and still had over 300 well into the 1980s. The lowest serial number I saw was 47283, the clocks were delivered from 1905-1907. Highest I saw in the first batch was 51532. They bought some more around 1923, I have 178361 which would have been from that batch. Last ones they bought were 1927 and the highest I have seen from that era is 195972. Over half of the Underground's SWCC clocks were 24" dial double faced versions in spun copper cases
Hi Dave, Thank you for the serial number information. It confirms the information in an article about the London Underground SWCC clocks by D. Burton "Timekeeping on the London Underground" in NAWCC Bulletin, No. 321 (August 1999): 457 I love that you worked on these clocks and it sounds like you have a few. I am guessing you have them running!! Regards, Alan
Hello Alan: I've been watching your videos for a few years now, some several times because these clocks are so fascinating AND your explanations are so clear. I finally found one here in Toronto. It's got a stepped round copper case with what looks to be a Canadian Pacific style 24 h dial. It also has a pendulum adjustment through the dial with a small winding square. Everything looks original. If you could answer a question, I would very much appreciate it. Initially when winding using a brass strip contact switch inside the case edge, how many revolutions (about) should I wind it? The movement works well but runs out of "steam" before the automatic winding kicks in so it stops, of course. Much appreciated Alan.
Hi James, I am happy to hear the videos are helpful.I agree that these clocks are fascinating. It sounds like you found a winner. Your trouble may be not winding the clock fully. Not sure how to measure the wind in revolutions. Push the wind tab a for short burst of wind several times until the winding continues on its own. This will complete a full wind and in theory your clock will now continue to "self wind". I would be interested to see photos of your clock and may have other ideas if it doesn't run as expected. Alan jabloore@aol.com
Great video! I'm in Santa Monica as well, just got my first Self Winding Naval Observatory Time Clock, great condition works perfect with new movement. It's one of those clock you show in your video, a square brown casing and round face, with minute circle inside to the numbers, very Art Deco style numbers. My serial is 78610 (same on motor and metal plate), looks like it could be from 1920's or 30's just by design. I have 1939 WU brochure it listed as model number #43.
Hi Ed, Glad to hear you now have a SWCC clock and happy to hear from a neighbor. I don't see many model 43 clocks. I like the design. If you have any questions I could try to help. Alan jabloore@aol.com
I first seen a SWCC clock at a garage sale, I couldn't afford the purchase. It was in a barn and in rough shape.
I've been fascinated by these ever since.
Thanks for your comment. I share your fascination with these clocks. Alan
It's interesting the see the variation of the hands vs. the rest of the packaging. I think I have one of the round metallic "rental" clocks, and the hands differ from the one you had in the video. I will have to take note of the serial number next time I have the clock open and see if that answers any questions, or just creates more. Thanks for the time you invested making this video.
Hi Louis, Thank you for watching. The sweep second version had different hands. Could that be the model you have?
@@SelfWindingClocks Mine doesn't have the sweep second hand. In fact, I noticed that my round clock looks very similar to the square metal clock in the middle of the thumbnail slide of your video. Mine doesn't have the synchronize light, though. Interesting beasts these clocks are, with quite a long history of manufacturing.
@@lmamakos The signal light feature was added to new clocks some time after these types of clocks were in service. Not sure if some clocks were retro fitted. Still a puzzle about your clock hands.
Great video as usual, Alan! My Model 33 from Les has a movement and ID tag stamped 185013, in a case with papers printed with a “30” prefix that I believe indicates the year. Based on dates in your video, I think my clock was made in 1930 using a movement made 2-3 years earlier.
Great to hear from you Jess. I remember your clock being very nice. It is fun to look closer and find hints. Does sound like yours is original.
nice video, thanks Alan
Thank you Steve
I worked with these clocks in England on the London Underground (Subway), they bought over 400 hundred in the early 1900s and still had over 300 well into the 1980s. The lowest serial number I saw was 47283, the clocks were delivered from 1905-1907. Highest I saw in the first batch was 51532. They bought some more around 1923, I have 178361 which would have been from that batch. Last ones they bought were 1927 and the highest I have seen from that era is 195972. Over half of the Underground's SWCC clocks were 24" dial double faced versions in spun copper cases
Hi Dave, Thank you for the serial number information. It confirms the information in an article about the London Underground SWCC clocks by D. Burton "Timekeeping on the London Underground" in NAWCC Bulletin, No. 321 (August 1999): 457 I love that you worked on these clocks and it sounds like you have a few. I am guessing you have them running!! Regards, Alan
Hello Alan: I've been watching your videos for a few years now, some several times because these clocks are so fascinating AND your explanations are so clear. I finally found one here in Toronto. It's got a stepped round copper case with what looks to be a Canadian Pacific style 24 h dial. It also has a pendulum adjustment through the dial with a small winding square. Everything looks original. If you could answer a question, I would very much appreciate it. Initially when winding using a brass strip contact switch inside the case edge, how many revolutions (about) should I wind it? The movement works well but runs out of "steam" before the automatic winding kicks in so it stops, of course. Much appreciated Alan.
Hi James, I am happy to hear the videos are helpful.I agree that these clocks are fascinating. It sounds like you found a winner. Your trouble may be not winding the clock fully. Not sure how to measure the wind in revolutions. Push the wind tab a for short burst of wind several times until the winding continues on its own. This will complete a full wind and in theory your clock will now continue to "self wind". I would be interested to see photos of your clock and may have other ideas if it doesn't run as expected. Alan jabloore@aol.com