Self-winding clocks

[Robert Simpson]

I'm trying to find out some information about battery-powered self-winding clocks that were sold around 1970 in the UK. I recall my parents buying one but I haven't been able to find any references to them on the web.

The clock itself only lasted about 6 or 7 years before the winding mechanism stopped working but from memory, it was a very ordinary-looking wall clock with a square white face. Every hour or so there was a faint whirr as the motor kicked in.

Does anyone have any info on these types of clocks or could suggest who might have made them?

Thanks in advance,

Rob.

[Ian Partridge]

Post by Robert Simpson
I'm trying to find out some information about battery-powered self-winding
clocks that were sold around 1970 in the UK. I recall my parents buying
one but I haven't been able to find any references to them on the web.
The clock itself only lasted about 6 or 7 years before the winding
mechanism stopped working but from memory, it was a very ordinary-looking
wall clock with a square white face. Every hour or so there was a faint
whirr as the motor kicked in.
Does anyone have any info on these types of clocks or could suggest who
might have made them?
Thanks in advance,
Rob.

Hello Rob,

I believe the balance lever movements were made by Smiths' Industries and
also German manufactured examples.

They had a solenoid powered by a single torch cell. There was a sprung
'remontoire' type of arrangement that would keep the balance running for a
while and then, when it had run down to a certain point, a lever closed
electro-contacts that impulsed the solenoid coil to wind up for the next
cycle.

As you say, they all wore out after a few years.

Ian

Ian Partrdge

[J.B. Wood]

Post by Ian Partridge
Hello Rob,
I believe the balance lever movements were made by Smiths' Industries and
also German manufactured examples.
They had a solenoid powered by a single torch cell. There was a sprung
'remontoire' type of arrangement that would keep the balance running for a
while and then, when it had run down to a certain point, a lever closed
electro-contacts that impulsed the solenoid coil to wind up for the next
cycle.
As you say, they all wore out after a few years.
Ian
Ian Partrdge

Hello, and use of that simple technique was common on factory-installed
mechanical dashboard clocks in 1950s-1960s American cars. The clocks
usually quit after a few years because the electrical rewind contacts
ended up burned/worn out. I'm quite sure the clock itself would have
lasted much longer absent this life-shortening limitation. But they
were cheap to manufacture in a pre-quartz movement era. Sincerely.

[Robert Simpson]

Post by Robert Simpson
I'm trying to find out some information about battery-powered self-winding clocks that were sold around 1970 in the UK. I recall my parents buying one but I haven't been able to find any references to them on the web.
The clock itself only lasted about 6 or 7 years before the winding mechanism stopped working but from memory, it was a very ordinary-looking wall clock with a square white face. Every hour or so there was a faint whirr as the motor kicked in.
Does anyone have any info on these types of clocks or could suggest who might have made them?
Thanks in advance,
Rob.

Thanks to those who replied. It seems there is very little information on the mechanism anywhere.