Tag: embossed clock dial

The Changing Face of Timekeeping in the Smartphone Era

In my previous life as a community college instructor, I had a habit of glancing at the analogue clock above my office door to keep track of time during meetings with students. However, one day, I was surprised to discover that one of my bright students did not know how to read an analogue clock.

Half past seven

This incident made me realize that there are significant generational differences in how young people perceive and understand time, which is influenced by their exposure to the digital age and smartphones.

As an educator, I should have been more aware of these generational differences and the impact of the digital world on the present generation. Unlike my generation, which learned to tell time using analogue clocks, the current generation relies on digital interfaces and instant messages, perceiving time in a more precise and numerical manner, like, “seven thirteen” instead of using imprecise phrases such as, “about a quarter after.”

A quarter to

The prevalence of digital clocks on the college campus further highlighted this issue, as traditional analogue clocks were replaced due to the student’s inability to read them. As someone who collects antique analogue clocks, this shift in perception saddens me, as future generations might miss out on appreciating the beauty and utility of these “old-fashioned” keepers of time.

It’s evident that analogue clocks are losing popularity and value in today’s digital age. Antique clocks, which used to be highly sought after, are now available at lower prices. However, for those of us from older generations, these clocks continue to hold a certain charm and nostalgia that are difficult to explain to younger people.

Roman numerals add to the confusion

The digital age has undoubtedly influenced how the present generation perceives time, making analogue clocks seem irrelevant and unnecessary to them. Despite this shift, I hope that the charm of analogue clocks can still be appreciated and preserved for generations to come.

Waterbury Wren shelf clock – case refresh

I originally assumed this clock was a Seth Thomas since it had a Seth Thomas movement. After a thorough search on the web, I concluded that this was not a Seth Thomas case. I searched for clocks made by other clockmakers, starting with E.N Welch, Ansonia (because it is similar in style to the Syria), Gilbert, Sessions and finally Waterbury. The term “Waterbury cabinet clock” generated some hits. I found one on an auction site then, two more. I now have a case made by a different maker than the movement and in clock circles this is called a marriage.

The case is a Waterbury model called the “Wren”. I found three Wren models, two with paper dials and one with the identical dial pan as this clock. It may well be that this dial pan is original to the case.

Despite the fact that it is a marriage I might keep it. The case is attractive and the movement fits the case, although both the centre hole and regulator hole over the 12 look to have been bored out and not in a tidy way.

The dial has been cleaned and repainted.

Cleaned and repainted dial

Now to the case. It Stands 13 1/8″ Tall By 12 5/8″ Wide And 5 1/2″ deep. As of this writing if you search for this model you might see one or two without the top crown. It is easily detached and no surprise that it might go missing.

Crooked finial

The case is in good shape with no parts missing however, the top finial on the right is not correctly aligned with the bottom column which I did not notice till I began cleaning the case. Evidently it had detached in the past and a past repairer glued it back not noticing the misalignment. It was simple matter of prying the finial off, regluing and centering it.

Two other pieces had to be reglued, a support piece for the crown and crosspiece in the back for one of the sides of the crown.

I cleaned the case with Murphy’s soap and following the scrubbing I decided that there was enough shellac worn off that a fresh coat would make the case much more appealing.

Finial is reattached and straighter
New coat of shellac

I applied traditional shellac, mixing amber flakes and alcohol with a broad artists brush. In the next shot you can see the difference between the left side of the crown and the right. I now have the option of leaving the finish as-is or aging it by “dulling” it with 4X0 steel wool.

Crown section

In the next photo is the completed case.

To me it is a huge improvement.

All this is being done while the movement is undergoing testing and once the testing is complete the two, the case and the movement will be “married” again.

Now if I can find the matching glass and bezel it will be complete.

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