USAAF Large Wall Clock

Brian, I have come late to this thread and note your comment about United States Army Air Forces (plural). That is in fact what USAAF actually stood for, there being 16 numbered air forces around the world. Not a lot of people seem to know this, myself included until quite recently! Apologies for thread drift.

Another one for sale here but with issues….

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seth-Thomas-WW2-US-Army-Airforces-Bakelite-Military-Wall-Clock-Bulkhead-works-43/192433546408?hash=item2ccdeee4a8:g:DBkAAOSwdHBaZARA

A couple of years ago I had a pair of Seikosha Imperial Japanese Navy chiming ships bell clocks. When I took one to my clock repairer for a clean he was very sniffy about it.

Those Japanese clocks and watches, cheap copies, they’ll never catch on!

Exmpa

Exmpa to recall a family saying – there are more ways to kill a cat than to choke it with pudding. I dont have a problem with a different perspective and no matter what, history is always interesting.

A couple of years ago I had a pair of Seikosha Imperial Japanese Navy chiming ships bell clocks. When I took one to my clock repairer for a clean he was very sniffy about it. He said the mechanism was a cheap copy of a Seth Thomas alarm clock mechanism from the 20’s – using thinner brass plate. I don’t think he thought the mechanism was worth the time to clean. Certainly not the quality of the Seth Thomas USAAF sector clock I gave to him 12 months later.

Hello Brian,

You are correct, my perspective tends towards ownership and direction of the company. The history of the American clock industry is fascinating; to me at any rate; and sad. The old names may have persisted but in most cases are now merely assemblers rather than manufacturers. I must be honest my area of American horological interest cuts off about 100 years ago. I don”t think the Wrights had a clock installed!

Exmpa

Exmpa an interesting perspective on ownership vs branding.

It is a personal opinion but i don’t agree that a company loses its identity/product quality because the founding family no longer owns/is connected to it. e.g. Jaeger Le Coultre, F.W, Elliot, Thomas Mercer, Gents of Leicester and S.Smith and Sons ?

I see that Mercer has now resurfaced as a chronometer maker and the CEO of Smiths is a again a Smith

I find the NAWCC awkward. I prefer the MWR (http://www.mwrforum.net/forums/forumdisplay.php?2-Main-Forum).

There are a few specialist military watch/clock sellers in UK e.g.

Ulric of England; Oliver Sargent ; Chris Balm etc.

Where can I purchase such a clock? a USAAF Seth Thomas wall clock.

Unfortunately you can’t. Like many things in the clock world, it’s not quite what it seems. The clock has a Seth Thomas name on it but the firm of Seth Thomas became a division of General Time Instruments Corporation on 1st Jan 1931 and the last family connection ceased on 5th June 1932 with the death of the board chairman Seth E, Thomas jnr., the great grandson of the founder.

Probably the best place to ask about these clocks would be the NAWCC Message Board. The NAWCC also publish periodic Bulletins dealing with specialist subjects (You need to put on your best and biggest anorak for these!) and you may well find that someone has put together one on WW2 operations clocks. It would be worth asking.

exmpa

Ian this one went to a friend who collects clocks.

It is the first I have seen in several years. I think checking clock specialists and the internet is the only way to find one.

Sorry I cannot be of any further help.

Brian
Where can I purchase such a clock? a USAAF Seth Thomas wall clock.

In hope
Ian

Dave I had a friend bring back from US a book on the history of the Chelsea Clock company.

One of the appendices is the dates when the clocks left the factory by mechanism.

As you know each clock has a unique mechanism number. this is also scratched into the back of the bakelite case and can be cross referenced to get the date.

There are lists on the internet but they are in 5 year blocks. The book has them day by day.

I admit having a preference for Chelsea over Seth Thomas. I also had an M. Low variant once.

I currently have 6 Chelsea clocks working in my office.

Chelsea Clock Co

I have a couple of the Chelsea Clock Co clocks; they came in a large batch of surplus clocks/instruments via DRMO Disposal at RAF Molesworth.

One has a nameplate and a stores Stock Number sticker on the back the other nothing.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]254698[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]254699[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]254700[/ATTACH]

Regards

Dave

Mike I have a friend who was a member of their organisation. I will discuss with him when he gets back from hols.

Cracking acquisition, Brian.

The folks at Burtonwood Museum may be able to tell you more about them and, if needed, offer it/them a home.

Anon.