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For years, we thought that the style 7 Big Ben and Baby Ben alarm clocks were made from 1956 – 1964. We now know that the style 7 Baby Ben windup was revived ca. 1976. Here are photos of an example dated 10 76 (October 1976) on the movement, in its original box with instructions.

Here is how to identify this late style 7 Baby Ben:

• The base is plastic, with number 58056 on the bottom. It is the same as the plastic base used on late style 8 Baby Ben alarm clocks.
• The bezel has a matte or sand blasted finish.
• The key and knobs are plastic.
• The minute hand does not have a metal cap in the center.

This clock has been seen in boxes labeled “Special Baby Ben Buy!” It uses the aluminum movement that late style 8 clocks use.

See more pictures.

Related posts:

1. Historical Pricing of Windup Big Ben and Baby Ben Alarm Clocks
2. New Baby Ben Alarm Clocks Have Lost Their “Soul”
3. Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben Identification Guide
4. New Windup Alarm Clocks
5. Westclox Big Ben Chime Alarm Movement Photos

Yesterday, the old Westclox factory in Peru, Illinois was partly destroyed by fire (see Massive Fire at Former Westclox Plant in Peru, Illinois). Google Earth has a nice view of the old factory, and I saved this image before it gets updated.

North is at the top of this image. The factory covers 4 city blocks from east to west.. Just across the street (north)  from the factory is the old Westclox administration building (just above the yellow marker).

I don’t know how much of the factory survived the fire. For a view of the outside from 4 years ago, see my post A Walk Around the Old Westclox Factory, Peru, Illinois.

Related posts:

1. A Walk Around the Old Westclox Factory, Peru, Illinois
2. Massive Fire at Former Westclox Plant in Peru, Illinois
3. The Westclox Factory in Scotland
4. Westclox History Summary Added to ClockHistory.com
5. Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben Identification Guide

The fire started shortly before the new year, and two teenagers were charged with arson.

Peru assistant fire chief Jim Duncan said the middle building portion of the Westclox complex was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived. “The fire was just out of control when we found it,” Duncan said. As Duncan explained, the Westclox complex includes three buildings, with some separation between each. Those small distances — and a firewall — helped firefighters contain the blaze to the building in which it originated. Duncan said businesses including Bakery Machinery and Fabrication, in the southernmost building, as well as those visible from U.S. 6 — including a bridal shop, a photographer, a salon, Curves and Total Environmental Service Technologies — were spared damage from the flames, though they may have smoke damage.

The News Tribune

My wife and I photographed the outside in 2007, does anyone have more photos, especially of the inside, that I may display on my ClockHistory.com web site?

Related posts:

1. A Walk Around the Old Westclox Factory, Peru, Illinois
2. The Westclox Factory in Scotland
3. Westclox History Summary Added to ClockHistory.com
4. 1919 Westclox Parts and Repair Manual
5. Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben Identification Guide

In the late 1970′s, Westclox typed up a document giving highlights of the company’s history from 1885 to 1976. The document is now on ClockHistory.com

Related posts:

1. 1919 Westclox Parts and Repair Manual
2. The Westclox Factory in Scotland
3. Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben Identification Guide
4. A Walk Around the Old Westclox Factory, Peru, Illinois
5. Westclox Big Ben Chime Alarm Movement Photos

In 1919, Westclox (Western Clock Company) published a parts and repair manual called “First Aid for injured Westclox.” I have only a fair photocopy of this manual, but hope to buy or borrow an original for scanning someday. For now, we have put only the general information and repair text on the ClockHistory.com web site. Some useful repair tips are included.

If you can loan or sell me an original copy, please let me know, as I would like to scan the entire manual and make it available as a PDF file. The manual includes parts lists for America, America – 1918 Model, Alternating, Baby Ben, Big Ben, Big Ben – 1918 Model, Bingo, Ironclad, LaSallita, Lookout, Sleep-Meter, Bunkie, Pocket Ben, Luminous Dials, Two-Inch Movement, and addendum listing interchangeable parts. Thanks!

Note: there was also a 1950 version of “First Aid for injured Westclox” which is more common, and I hope to post excerpts from it on ClockHistory.com.

See First Aid for injured Westclox on ClockHistory.com

Related posts:

1. Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben Identification Guide
2. Historical Pricing of Windup Big Ben and Baby Ben Alarm Clocks
3. New Windup Alarm Clocks
4. The Westclox Factory in Scotland
5. A Walk Around the Old Westclox Factory, Peru, Illinois

An article about the Westclox factory in Scotland was just added to the ClockHistory.com web site. This factory produced over 50 million clocks in its lifetime. Many of these clocks are still around today, and can easily be found on Internet auction sites.

See the article

Related posts:

1. A Walk Around the Old Westclox Factory, Peru, Illinois
2. New Windup Alarm Clocks
3. Westclox Big Ben Chime Alarm Movement Photos
4. Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben Identification Guide

In 1984, my friend Richard Tjarks and I published the “Westclox Big Ben and Baby Ben Identification Guide” to go along with the display of Westclox clocks and watches at the NAWCC National Convention in Indianapolis.

I have added recent research findings and more material to the guide, and it is available for download in PDF form. It is available free of charge, although donations are welcome! Jeff Wood and I are continuing our Westclox research. Jeff is particularly interested in early baby Ben and Big Ben history, while I am putting together general information about Big Ben and Baby Ben variations.

Download the ID Guide (PDF)

Related posts:

1. Historical Pricing of Windup Big Ben and Baby Ben Alarm Clocks
2. New Baby Ben Alarm Clocks Have Lost Their “Soul”
3. Westclox Big Ben Chime Alarm Movement Photos
4. New Windup Alarm Clocks
5. A Walk Around the Old Westclox Factory, Peru, Illinois

When the Big Ben alarm clock was introduced in 1908, one of its important features was that the entire back of the case was the bell. This made the alarm ring louder and deeper than other alarm clocks of the time, which had a small bell on the top. When the Baby Ben alarm came out in 1910, it shared this feature of having the entire back as the bell. Until recently, all Big Bens and Baby Bens had this back bell.

Current production Baby Bens (made in China) have a small movement with a small internal bell. The back of the clock is PLASTIC, so obviously, it cannot be used as a bell!

Below is a slide show of a Baby Ben I purchased at Wal-Mart on March 8, 2008 for $7.97. It has a blue dial and back, and a silver color metal bezel and base. This shape of case is a reproduction of the style 8 Bens which were made from 1964 to 1981. The hands are luminous but the numerals are not. These new ones can be distinguished from the originals by having a plastic back and being made in China.

The movement has plastic gears for the center wheel through escape wheel, a plastic pallet assembly, and a plastic alarm escape wheel. The movement is labeled

NO(0) JEWELS
UNADJUSTED
SAILING.CHINA

The instruction sheet gives the following warranty:

Limited One-Year Warranty

Salton, Inc. warrants that this product will be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of original purchase. This warranty covers only the original purchaser of the product. Salton’s obligation to satisfy the warranty is limited to either of the following actions, at Salton’s option: repair the product or replace it. To receive the benefit of this warranty, you must send the product together with this warranty (marked with the retailer’s name and address and date of purchase) to:

Attn: Repair Center
Salton, Inc.
708 South Missouri Street
Macon, MO 63552
(800) 919-3101

Salton makes no other warranties, either express or implied except as set forth in this express warranty. To the extent that any Federal or state law creates an implied warranty for this product , the implied warranty is limited to one year from the date of original purchase. Salton is not liable for any incidental, direct or consequential damages or loss whether arising by contract or otherwise. Some states in the U.S.A. do not permit the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so the above limitations and exclusions my not apply to you. A consumer may have additional remedies granted by law. The warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may have other rights that vary from state to state.

Related posts:

1. Historical Pricing of Windup Big Ben and Baby Ben Alarm Clocks
2. New Windup Alarm Clocks
3. Westclox Big Ben Chime Alarm Movement Photos
4. New Haven Bakelite Case Alarm Clock