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Old 26 August 2023, 05:28 AM   #1
TheVTCGuy
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My fourth Waldorf!

I… am the envy of my antique clock collecting club I am sure I am the envy of men everywhere…. But I just finished restoring my FOURTH Telechron “Waldorf” clock. It is the farthest one on the left. The workings were in pretty bad shape when I bought it on an on-line auction, but she is running perfectly now. I did a thread on these clocks once and they have become the pride of my collection. These things are monsters! They weigh 15 pounds each. There is very little information about them in any Telechron book, but the RUMOR is they were produced on special order for the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in NYC from around 1933-35, and placed in their suites. I have written the hotel (the letter was returned because it is under restoration) the NYC historical society, a couple other places trying to find proof, like a picture of one in a suite, but no luck. How many were made? I have heard various numbers, 100, 200, 300? No one really knows but they are exceedingly rare. In my club, two other members have one each, but I keep lucking out and finding them at meets or on line. There is actually one on Ebay right now, but the base is broken off and I am not interested. I paid a very good price for this one because it wasn’t working and am very happy with the whole deal. These things are so cool!

Anyway, hope you enjoy the pic
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Old 26 August 2023, 05:57 AM   #2
ZOOK
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Great collection, Paul. Thanks for sharing a photo.
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Old 26 August 2023, 06:13 AM   #3
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Yup, nice collection Paul. Now you make me want one!
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Old 26 August 2023, 06:32 AM   #4
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very elegant. i like
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Old 26 August 2023, 07:02 AM   #5
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Those really are cool vintage clocks...great looking!
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Old 26 August 2023, 07:11 AM   #6
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Sweet! Have you asked the folks at the NAWCC, they may know more.
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Old 26 August 2023, 07:29 AM   #7
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Those Waldorf clocks are looking very good. Hard to believe they are that old.
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Old 26 August 2023, 08:33 AM   #8
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Those are very nice, Paul!
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Old 26 August 2023, 08:33 AM   #9
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I can see why they are unique with no two stone cases being the same.

I guess being that heavy, they were less often purloined from the suites like the towels were.

Impressive collection


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Old 26 August 2023, 09:00 AM   #10
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Those are awesome.
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Old 26 August 2023, 10:13 AM   #11
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Beautiful Paul.
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Old 26 August 2023, 10:39 AM   #12
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Very cool Paul. I stayed at the Waldorf a few years back and I can see that clock looking right in place there.


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Old 26 August 2023, 10:42 AM   #13
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I've never really thought about owning one but this sounds convincing. Thanks for sharing Paul and that's a lovely collection.
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Old 26 August 2023, 11:29 AM   #14
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Those are beautiful! Cool find(s)
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Old 26 August 2023, 12:03 PM   #15
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Excellent
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Old 26 August 2023, 08:45 PM   #16
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Nice collection Paul. Any idea why the newest addition has an extra line of text on the dial?
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Old 27 August 2023, 01:47 AM   #17
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Originally Posted by Brenngun View Post
Nice collection Paul. Any idea why the newest addition has an extra line of text on the dial?
Excellent observation Rick!

General Electric purchased (something like) 49% of Telechron in the early 1920s. The idea was they wanted to show consumers they made more electric products then just major appliances. For the first couple years, the dials didn’t change, simply said: “Telechron.” Gradually, dials were embossed with both “Telechron” and “General Electric” to show GE was now in the clock business. Eventually, sometime around 1950, the clocks were 100% “General Electric.” That particular clock is from 1935 and the “newest” of the four, the others from 33 and 34. So here is an excellent example of the transitioning of Telechron to GE.


Nice catch again!
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Old 26 August 2023, 08:54 PM   #18
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Very nice work Paul. You are talented at whatever you put your mind to.
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Old 26 August 2023, 10:35 PM   #19
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Very nice.
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Old 26 August 2023, 11:40 PM   #20
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Old 26 August 2023, 11:43 PM   #21
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Wow, beyond cool!
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Old 27 August 2023, 09:59 AM   #22
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Wow, those are great looking clocks, and I love the info and details you are able to give!
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Old 27 August 2023, 08:40 PM   #23
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Very nice collection, Paul.
Just, out of interest, do you have any information on the 'stone/marble/Onyx', that the cases and mounts are made with.
It's very beautiful.


PS. Do they hum, or is that just your trainers?
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Old 28 August 2023, 12:54 AM   #24
TheVTCGuy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Speedbird-1 View Post
Very nice collection, Paul.
Just, out of interest, do you have any information on the 'stone/marble/Onyx', that the cases and mounts are made with.
It's very beautiful.


PS. Do they hum, or is that just your trainers?
Wow Steve, I honestly don’t know much. They are Onyx, and four solid pieces, the base, the back, the middle and the front. There is a large hole drilled through all for the clock workings and dial.. The base is connected to the clock with two brass screws, I guess drilled and tapped(?). There is a guy in my club that does a kind of service on them for me. He would do it for free but I give him $25 and he coats the onyx with some kind of oil, lets it soak in for a couple days, does a very light polish, and finishes it up with a non-shiny wax. It really brings the old stone back to life!


PS I blame it on the trainers but it’s really me
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Old 27 August 2023, 09:13 PM   #25
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Beautiful clocks Paul, great job!
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Old 28 August 2023, 12:33 AM   #26
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Very nice collection, Paul.
Those are very stately looking clocks.
Four is nice but my neighbor has six.
A guy down the street says he has ten, but I've only actually seen seven of 'em.
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Old 28 August 2023, 12:47 AM   #27
TheVTCGuy
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Originally Posted by AzPaul View Post
Very nice collection, Paul.
Those are very stately looking clocks.
Four is nice but my neighbor has six.
A guy down the street says he has ten, but I've only actually seen seven of 'em.
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Old 28 August 2023, 03:11 AM   #28
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Very cool hobby and clocks
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Old 28 August 2023, 04:55 AM   #29
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Old 28 August 2023, 07:45 AM   #30
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Rare, old and interesting - good combination! I like them.
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