Finished another clock today.

[TheVTCGuy]

A hobby of mine is restoring antique clocks, specifically from a company called Telechron and the art-deco era, from around 1920 to 1940. I have posted a couple times on here with some of my collection, thought I’d show you my latest, which includes a bunch of clocks with award plaques. I find these extremely interesting. I am not nearly as talented as my best Swedish friend Jocke, but I’m a lot better looking.

The top photo is one of the first “digital” clocks in the world. As you can see from the plaque, it was awarded to a sales representative for the quarter September to December 1933. This was a BI$( to restore. These were complicated, difficult machines and I have been working on it off and on for months. I had a couple movement wheels made and it seems to be running fine now, (cross my fingers).

The second photo is one of my pride and joys. I finished it several months ago, and the plaque reads: “Baltimore Marathons May 22nd 1932”. (Paraphrasing). Turns out this was an Olympic try-out event, the winner was a man named Hans Odag and he went on to compete in the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics. That is a picture of him in the background.

The next clock is a model that was handed to all the employees of the Chas M. Cox Company, to celebrate their 50th anniversary in business, 1886-1936.

The last two are not an award, but my most valuable. This model was given away to customers that purchased a GE Monitor top Refrigerator the years 1928, 29, 30 and 31. Around 20,000 clocks were manufactured but the second from the last picture is by FAR the rarest, with the long General Electric Emblem and early B rotor movement. Some suggest it was the prototype. There is no clear consensus on exactly how many of this model were produced, but I have heard between 40 and 100. They were all created in the last months of 1927. It is worth the most of any of my clocks. Below is the model from 1931, you can see the differences.

Telechron made some incredible clocks, these run perfect and I could stare at them all day long (sometimes I do ). But I wonder so much about this connection to the past. That man in the picture won this clock back in 1932, and yet, I have it today. How? What path did it take to get in to my possession? Same with the award clocks from 33 and 36. Who was the person that accepted those clocks and what was their life like?

Anyway, I enjoy restoring them, but even more so just admiring and wondering... the past. Hope you guys like these pictures.

[Nikrnic]

Sooper Cool Stuff. Beautiful and interesting clocks, all with history...Kudos for you...

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[Blansky]

Wow. Good for you.

Those are great.

As a photographer I feel the same way with vintage photographs. What was their life like.

[037]

Wow, Paul, I had no idea you were this cool. Being a pilot is one thing but clock repair is next-level.

Awesome work!

Just kidding by the way. Pilots are cool, too.

[enjoythemusic]

First One, the award clock, looks AWESOME! Would LOVE to see pics of the inner movement. Oh, and if you ever want to sell it pm me.

[Dr. Robert]

Very cool!

[THC]

Nice as always Paul... Jocke will be along soon, but don’t worry, you have many fans here

[Latrodectus]

So much history! Great clocks and awesome how you make them look and run!

[77T]

Great work - even Hans’ jock strap turned out well.


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[RichM]

Great stuff Paul. It’s seems like a wonderful hobby. Thanks for sharing them.

[ZOOK]

Great stuff, Paul. Thanks for sharing.

[AzPaul]

This is an amazing coincidence, Paul. That 1927 refrigerator clock was mine in a past life. I've been looking all over for it. Knowing what an honorable bloke you are, I'm sure you won't mind returning it.

And thanks for fixing it up so nice. Looks as nice as when I had it back in the old days.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by AzPaul

This is an amazing coincidence, Paul. That 1927 refrigerator clock was mine in a past life. I've been looking all over for it. Knowing what an honorable bloke you are, I'm sure you won't mind returning it.

And thanks for fixing it up so nice. Looks as nice as when I had it back in the old days.

Really? Wow.... OK Paul, since it was yours.

What’s your shipping address?

[watchmework]

Great job Paul, these look incredible. Thanks very much for sharing them with us.

[SemperFi]

You did an incredible job Paul. Kudos to you.

[cop414]

They all look great Paul, that third one looks eerily familiar! Mine that you gifted me is still running strong on top of that old roll top desk! I love it!

[AJM914]

Wow those look great!

[swils8610]

Love your clock collection Paul!


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[austinp]

I love the first one. Very cool Paul.

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[JasoninDenver]

Excellent work and a great story to match.

[joli160]

They look beautiful, the "Zeitwerk" is very appealing and would look great in my house

[SearChart]

Such a unique collection! Love it Paul

[BNA/LION]

What Time Is It?

Very nice work and collection!

[ltmgeller]

[Gary Anderson]

I like the first one in particular - how much would I be looking at to pick one up in working order and where would I look? Sadly I don't have the skills for a restoration project.

[Sperry]

Wow, what a collection! I wonder what happened to great auntie's collection ... it's in some sibling's attic ...

[brandrea]

Thanks for sharing your passion with us Paul Well done

[JimSnyder]

Nice Paul

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Gary Anderson

I like the first one in particular - how much would I be looking at to pick one up in working order and where would I look? Sadly I don't have the skills for a restoration project.

These aren't that expensive Gary, maybe $500 or so in working order, the award plaque actually adds quite a bit to the value, you might be able to find a restored one for even a couple hundred less. Be careful though, a lot of claimed "Restored" clocks are nothing more then replaced cords.

[Playinwittime]

That is pretty cool!