American clocks with double dials, often referred to as “double dial” or “two-dial” clocks, were common in the 19th century.

There are two categories of double-dial clocks but first, let’s talk about the calendar clock. These clocks typically have one dial for the time and another for the calendar. The reason for this design was to provide both timekeeping and a calendar function in a single device.

By integrating both time and calendar functions into a single clock, manufacturers provided a practical solution for the needs of households and businesses.

Moreover, before the widespread adoption of standardized timekeeping systems, local time could vary significantly from one place to another. Having a clock that displayed both local time and the date helped people coordinate activities and synchronize their schedules more effectively.

Fashion (Southern Calendar Clock Co.) and Ithaca were well-known makers of quality shelf and wall calendar clocks. Seth Thomas was a significant producer of office calendar clocks.

Less common are double-dial clocks that exhibit two separate times. A typical two-dial clock of this type would display railroad time and local time or railroad time and city time.

When the two major US railway companies adopted Standard Time in 1883 the Seth Thomas Company began the manufacture of 8-day weight-driven clocks with two time dials. The clocks would come with an upper and lower plaque depicting local time and railroad time. Some clocks were production clocks while others like the #17 were special order clocks.

Both dials are run by one movement with a connecting drive shaft between the upper and lower units. Once the upper movement is set up, the lower unit will display the relative difference. Moving the hands on the upper unit moves the hands on the lower unit accordingly.

Examples of the more prevalent #6 can be readily found, whereas the specialized #17 is exceptionally rare. Regardless, acquiring either double-time model would entail a significant investment of thousands of dollars.