11/09/2025
I love a clock with a history, even if it is modern-day history! This is a Westclox anniversary model Big Ben alarm clock. Westclox made these in 1970 to commemorate the original 1910 Big Ben. These are an exact copy of the original. Most of the parts are interchangeable with the style 1a model. This one comes with the original box, price tag and instructions which shows the original owner's name and address, Mr. Whielden W. Williams, of Chicago Illinois. It also includes a letter from Westclox, written to Mr. Williams on December 8, 1969, which answers his question about the loudness of the alarm. The Westclox Customer Service Manager tells Mr. Williams that this anniversary clock has a louder alarm than the other Big Bens being sold at this time. Mr. Williams then purchased the clock on January 28, 1970.
Mr. Williams lived in Chicago his whole life. He married late in life and never had children. Mr. Williams passed away in 1989, at the age of 83. His obituary asks that in lieu of flowers, to please send a memorial contribution to the Chicago Hearing Society. This suggests that Mr. Williams had hearing issues and would explain why he had inquired about the loudness of the Big Ben alarm!