Alarm Clock Doc

Alarm Clock Doc Our business is dedicated to the preservation of vintage mechanical alarm clocks like your grandparents and great-grandparents owned and depended on.

FLASHBACK TO THE 70s!!I remember this time, but I can't say I remember this clock! This is a "Ballmatic" alarm clock by...
04/30/2026

FLASHBACK TO THE 70s!!
I remember this time, but I can't say I remember this clock! This is a "Ballmatic" alarm clock by Westclox (model 12176). It was only offered in the 1973-1974 Westclox catalog. The available colors were Lime, Orange and Plum. Those sound more like fruit than clock colors! The clock features a single key to wind both the time and alarm and a single stem to set them. The alarm set switch is on the back and it shuts off with a button on top. The controls were hidden behind a cover on the back, making this shape a real "ball". This one was made in May of 1973.

Here is a wonderful Big Ben from my collection that I will be offering for sale. This is a style 5 Big Ben Loud Alarm, ...
03/01/2026

Here is a wonderful Big Ben from my collection that I will be offering for sale. This is a style 5 Big Ben Loud Alarm, that is, basically, new-in-the-box! It has the original box, instructions and tags used for retail sale. The condition is NEAR MINT. Absolutely no signs of wear! The style 5 was made from 1939 until 1949, with an interruption during World War II. This one was made in September of 1948, so it is one of the last ones. The Loud Alarm movements used in the style 4, 5 and 6 Big Bens are of the same design as the original style 1 Big Ben. The only changes made were improvements that made them more "repair-friendly".

During the 1930s, 40s and early 50s, General Time owned both the Westclox and Seth Thomas brands. During this time they...
01/29/2026

During the 1930s, 40s and early 50s, General Time owned both the Westclox and Seth Thomas brands. During this time they made several models with the Seth Thomas name that used Baby Ben movements. The function of the Seth Thomas and Baby Ben clocks of the era was identical. The Seth Thomas models were cased in wood or catalin. This one is the "Deft" model by Seth Thomas. It has a metal dial and dark mahogany case with brass trim. This one was made on November 17, 1939. It has the same movement as the Westclox style 5 Baby Ben.

Westclox introduced the style 3 Baby Ben in December of 1932 and produced it until the end of 1934. This was the first ...
11/17/2025

Westclox introduced the style 3 Baby Ben in December of 1932 and produced it until the end of 1934. This was the first case design by Henry Dreyfuss. This color scheme, with the burgundy/brown paint and copper plating was introduced in December of 1932 and made until July of 1934. This beautiful example was made on August 14, 1933. It is extremely rare to find one in this condition. The paint and the plating are original and nearly flawless.

I love a clock with a history, even if it is modern-day history! This is a Westclox anniversary model Big Ben alarm cl...
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!

Here's another great example of a Westclox Big Ben, known to collectors as a style 1. This is one with an advertising d...
11/06/2025

Here's another great example of a Westclox Big Ben, known to collectors as a style 1. This is one with an advertising dial. Until about 1920, Westclox would print the name of the retailer on the dial with a minimum order of 25 clocks. This clock was made on June 1, 1915 for the Towle, Winterhalter, Hannifin Company. They were jewelers and opticians located in Butte, Montana. Herman Towle and Leopold Winterhalter started the business in 1889. John Hannifin joined them in 1907. The business continued until John's death in 1935.
Westclox partnered with many jewelers during this time period. In this case though, their partners may have not been pleased with the dial Westclox provided. Instead of Winterhalter, they printed "Winterhalten". Oops!

Here's a classic Waterbury alarm clock, named the "Spasmodic". Waterbury gave it this name because of the alarm feature...
10/26/2025

Here's a classic Waterbury alarm clock, named the "Spasmodic". Waterbury gave it this name because of the alarm feature. When Westclox introduced this same feature, they simply called it a "repeating" alarm. Both terms refer to an alarm that sounds, then stops and continues repeating until the alarm is shut off. Waterbury did not put manufacture dates on their clock movements, but this one has three patent dates. The last date being February 12, 1907. On that basis, I'm dating this one 1907-1908.

The E. Ingraham Company began manufacturing clocks in Bristol, Connecticut, in 1860. They began making alarm clocks in ...
10/05/2025

The E. Ingraham Company began manufacturing clocks in Bristol, Connecticut, in 1860. They began making alarm clocks in the early 1900s. In the 1940s, they introduced a series of alarm clocks they called the "Sentinel Line". These were 8-day and 1-day alarm clocks of various sizes and design. This one, called the Sentinel "Little Pal" was introduced in 1950 and produced until 1952. In 1953, the case design changed slightly. It features a single key to wind both the time and alarm. It has a softer ticking sound and rings the alarm loudly on an internal bell. The case design is very similar to the style 6 Baby Ben. The reason they look similar may be because both were designed by Henry Dreyfuss! I only know that the Little Pal was a Dreyfuss design, because it is mentioned in the early newspaper ads. This one is in perfect condition and includes the original box and instruction sheet.

My latest project. We can call these the "before" pictures. It's rough. I could not resist buying it today because I ...
09/21/2025

My latest project. We can call these the "before" pictures. It's rough. I could not resist buying it today because I have never seen this dial. The dial says "The Black Chief". It's definitely a Westclox product, with a design similar to the "Bingo" model from the 1930s. The date on the movement is February, 1935. Stay tuned.....

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