ClockInfo.com

I did not repair this clock, just oiled the bearings and regulated it. It has the model name “Sparta” and a date code on the bottom.

The date code is 1901

This movement with the escapement at the back was used until about 1901 in Adamantine mantel clocks. It was superceded by the no. 89 movement. Note: the brass j-shaped turnback lever is not in the correct position because the previous repairer assembled it incorrectly. The long part should be on the left (time train side) and should have free movement toward the time train. See this post for how it should be.

I repaired this Schatz standard 400 day clock recently. I like the Roman numeral dial so much that I decided to illustrate the clock here.

It has back plate number 1281. Date code 4 53 (April 1953). My job no. 4497.

On Sunday, August 26, my wife Kimberly and I stopped at the old Westclox factory at Peru, Illinois on our way back from my nephew’s wedding in Wisconsin.

The old factory is a huge place, 665,000 square feet on 16 acres of land. Across the street is the 57,000 square foot administration or office building. Westclox ceased operations in Peru in 1980, and the factory complex and office building were offered at auction (with no takers) on May 27, 1981. A number of companies currently occupy various parts of the building, the largest perhaps being Bakery Machinery & Fabrication Company, which has the back lower part of the complex. This part is 5 stories tall and located down the hill from the main part of the building. It still has has the name “Western Clock Co.” in the gable at each end.

The signs of several other companies are shown in the slide show below. Heritage Realty is developing part of the building and also is planning for a Westclox museum.

The pictures in the slide show below start on the east end of the factory and move across to the west end. The administration building across the street is also illustrated. The last picture is an aerial view from Google Earth. I hope to get back to the area soon for a longer visit and to see our friends the Biolchinis and Whitakers.

I recently repaired this Schatz standard 400 day clock and am illustrating it because of the black trim and the design on the dial. The movement is dated 3 53 (March 1953). (My job No. 4428.)

A family named Schatz sent me this Schatz standard 400 day clock for repair. A friend of theirs bought the clock at an auction for them because they wanted a clock bearing the family name. I overhauled the movement, replaced the suspension spring, and polished and lacquered the base. The clock is dated 12 58 (December 1958) and has model number 49 in a circle on the back of the movement. This clock with the engraved silvered dial is particularly attractive. I hope this clock will be a treasured family piece for many years.

A man came into my clock shop, and was carefully looking at my 1950’s German anniversary clocks. He asked the price of a Kundo miniature 400 day clock, and I said it was $50 as-is or $325 restored and guaranteed. He asked the price of several similar clocks, and then he said “your prices are high”. I explained that I have to pay about $25 or more to buy a vintage 400 day clock, and then spend the time restoring it. Again he said “your prices are high”, and “you’re not going to get rich quick at these prices!”. I showed him my new Hermle anniversary clocks from Germany, priced from $37 - $60. He said “The last time I bought one of these, I paid $20 at Wal-Mart!”

Every now and then, a viewer sees the Westclox history on the ClockHistory.com web site and assumes that we are affiliated with the maker of Westclox clocks. They then proceed to give their complaints about the quality of windup alarm clocks made today. Someone sent several e-mails to one of my co-researchers, got annoyed at no response, and finally said the following in an e-mail: “Your clocks don’t work, and apparently you don’t either!”

I can say the following about the windup alarm clocks made today: “You get what you pay for.”

For an alarm clock to be of the same quality as a Big Ben or Baby Ben made up through the 1950’s, it would have to retail for around $40 - $65 (see my post about Historical Alarm Clock Pricing). The windup alarm clocks of today sell for around $8 - $13 in discount stores. It would take a huge number of people willing to pay enough for a high-quality windup alarm clock, for the manufacturers to take notice.

Below are shown some original retail prices of Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben alarm clocks. Shown in parenthesis are the equivalent prices in 2007 dollars, using the Federal Reserve Bank of Minnesota online calculator.

1930 Montgomery Ward and Co. Catalog:

• Big Ben and Baby Ben leg model plain: $3.25 ($39.99)
• Big Ben and Baby Ben leg model luminous: $4.50 ($55.37)
• Big Ben and Baby Ben base model (style 2) with gold non-luminous dial: $3.75 ($46.15)
• Big Ben and Baby Ben base model (style 2) luminous gold dial: $5.00 ($61.53)

1939 Sears, Roebuck and Co. Catalog:

• Big Ben Loud Alarm, plain: $2.75 ($40.66)
• Big Ben Loud Alarm, luminous: $3.75 ($55.44)
• Baby Ben, plain: $2.95 ($43.61)
• Baby Ben, luminous: $3.95 ($58.40)
• Big Ben Chime Alarm, plain: $3.50 ($51.74)
• Big Ben Chime Alarm, luminous: $4.50 ($66.53)

1957 Sears, Roebuck and Co. Catalog:

• Big Ben and Baby Ben, plain: $7.65 ($55.95)
• Big Ben and Baby Ben, Luminous: $8.75 ($63.99)