Bomber Clock?

Thank – you very much for your views, which do seem to be conclusive that this is an automobile item.

I suppose it isn’t beyond the bounds of possibility that some aircrew member took it along as his own personal timepiece

I very much appreciate the informed input which I receive on this forum!

Ian

Hi again,

Nope, doesn’t look Air Ministry at all.

The central threaded stud on the back of the case suggests the pre-war method of attaching the clock to the dashboard. The clock would be fitted to the dashboard from the front, i.e. the bezel would be slightly wider in diameter than the hole for the body, thus helping secure it in place. A U-shaped steel strap would then be used to hold the clock case to the dashboard: this is slipped over the stud and held in place by a knurled screw. The ends of the strap bear against the rear of the dashboard and the knurled screw tensions the whole thing and keeps it securely in place.

That said, I cannot see how the user would then be able to access the winder if the clock was fitted on a standard aircraft dashboard unless there was a big cut out in the panel, large enough for his fingers, or maybe it was fitted at the lowest edge of the panel so it could be accessed from underneath, or else the clock was mounted on some kind of hinged panel which could be opened for access?

To be honest, it looks like something you’d expect to see on a pre-war car. The chromed bezel, lack of seconds hand or “time of flight” hands, all suggest non-military use to me.

Regards!

Here is a picture of the back:

http://www.redhouseit.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/ebay/clock/back.jpg

The only number on the case is 6464. I guess the stud on the back provided the mounting point.

The clock markings seem to be in the usual aircraft luminous paint.

I agree about the chrome bezel, this does not seem right, but would there be another application for an 8 day clock other than aircraft? (particularly one that turned up in Germany!)

Me again!

It resembles a Mk. IIC, 8 day clock, as fitted to many wartime aircraft, usually as a pilots watch, rather than a navigators chronograph.

However, the chromed bezel and lack of a mounting plate make it unusual. The mounting plate was only held on by screws at the back and it might have been discarded. The bezel was usually black painted brass, though. And the hands and numerals would usually be either luminous or fluorescent finish and the ones in your photo look like they have a normal, domestic type finish. Hmmm…and there’s no Air Ministry Stores Reference on the dial either. It just doesn’t look right for a standard Air Ministry item, unless you can tell me the Stores Ref. is on the back of the case?