Electric Clock Collection

OK these are electric clocks - not mechanical clocks - but sometimes my interest in mechanical clocks spills over slightly...

... and sometimes people I know say "Well I was chucking this out, but you're interested in clocks, aren't you?" And I can't say no...

So here are two old electric clocks and one very modern electric clock!

electric wall clock: Genalex: British: 1920s?

Genalex Electric Wall Clock: English: 1920s

This antique wall clock was given to me by a friend. It came off the wall of an old laundry in the North or England. I look at it and imagine the thousands of times tired girls and women must have looked at it whilst they were ironing rich peoples shirts...

The clock face is 18 inches in diameter. As well as the word Genalex on the face there is "Made in England" just below the 6. The knurled knod at the bottom is used to set the time. It no longer runs - though my wife insists that we find someone to put a new motor in it.

From my research Genalex became, or was taken over by, The Marconi-Osram Valve Company, who, I understand made the valves (USA "tubes"), for the finest rock and roll amplifiers (The Golden-Lion KT88 valve - still being made today)!

electric mantel clock: Temco: England: 1930s?

TEMCO Electric Mantle Clock: British: 1930s?

This rather unattractive electric clock was also given to me by a "friend". The face bears the words "TEMCO" and "ELECTRIC". There is a hole in the dial below the 12 - I have no idea what this is for... maybe it reveals an indicator that the clock is running(?)

The back of the clock is made of black Bakelite and has a number or words: "TEMCO", "200 - 250 VOLTS AC 50 CYCLES", "SET HANDS" (below knob), "TO START - ROLL KNOB IN THE DIRECTION OF ARROW S" (below knob partially covered by Bakelite with an "S" and a left-pointing arrow). Also "MADE IN ENGLAND BY THE TELEPHONE MFG. CO. LTD." (hence TEMCO!) and "TYPE MARK V".

Internet research tells me that the name TEMCO is used today by a number of companies (including The Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Company!) and a manufacturer of gas turbines for aircraft.

A sensible person would dispose of this clock. I can't.

electric binary mantel clock: Anelace Inc.?????: 2005?

Electric Binary Mantel clock: "Crystal Blue Powers of 2": Anelace Inc.: USA: 2005?

I bought this fascinating electric clock in a charity shop.

I love it. I am the only person in my family who understands it. My daughter thinks me appreciating this binary clock confirms her opinion that her Dad is a sad nerd. Depending on which LEDs are lit you can work out the time. The clock can be set to display in BCD mode (which I use) or "true" binary mode. In "true" binary mode the bottom row of LEDs represents seconds, the second row up represents minutes and the next row hours (top row not used). As I say, I use BCD mode - where the left two columns indicate hours, the middle two columns represent minutes and the right two columns represent the seconds: the bottom row indicates 1, next up 2, next up 4, next up 8 - and you must add the numbers represented by all LEDs lit in each column. Got that? If you're a nerd it's easy. So the photo was taken at 3h.14m.51s.

Late at night when I can't raise myself from the sofa I watch the mesmerising changing pattern of flickering lights...

Have you seen my American Antique Mantel ("Shelf") Clock Collection?

New Haven Steeple mantel clock - Jerome mantel clock - New Haven Alarm mantel clock - Jerome Large mantel clock