Zenith

Just added this Zenith made 8 day clock to my small collection. Its about 3 and a 1/2 inches in dia, winds and sets from the bezel with a red-dot power indicator. I wonder if anyone could help me and shed some light with information on approximately when these type of clocks were made? Rishad

Hi Rishad,
originally those 8 day PR clocks weren't born as desk or wall clocks - as found in many cases today.
Originally they were used as car/truck/tram.......etc dash board clocks (for any larger vehicle) - The well known
"Saurer" brand trucks (well known also because one of the very few of CH) for example had those as standard.

As typical for Zenith of that time - quality has been really nice for a purely technical instrument.
The power reserve indicator features a classical screw differential (is the most logical solution
for such a timepiece, as built height isn't of importance) - if I'm not mistaken it switches to red when
2 days pr left.
Again, if I'm not mistaken it was made from the mid 20ties untill early 60ties - araound that time cars began
to get equipped with electrically powered clocks more commonly (although I remember a lot of
cars still had typical 8 day clocks - although very much lower standards of built quality).

I still have one of those Zenith dash board clocks in black case finish - branded as EFAP /Emile Eigenheer.
You might want to search for this name for more info - it's been a swiss company for precision bord instruments
and the clocks are double branded and made by Zenith of course.

Best regards
Suitbet

... I had assumed that these clocks had never been meant to be mounted on a piece of wood. Today, we see a similar issue with Russian aircraft clocks that are more numerous sitting in dedicated stands on working desks than flying in the air ... I would be interested to see a picture of such a Saurer's instrument panel; I thought that clocks in trucks were introduced rather late.

Regards,
Marcus

Hi Suitbert, I remember reading and learning some other very good info from you here many many yrs ago. Yes, I knew these clocks were for cars, and were originally built for and used in trams that plied within Zutich! If I'm not mistaken, the one you have and described is the particular type made exclusively for Zurich trams. I've seen one of these mounted in a chronometer style wooden case that looked original to the clock over the years, and read that Zenith made a slightly larger size, otherwise similar clock for ships, which came with slightly different bezel as well. I have one that I think is that kind, as pictured. Yes, the power reserve is indeed a red dot, that pops up into the window under 12 O'clock when there's about 24hrs in store. What's stood out and amazed me is the quality and 'watch standard' finish given to these large movements, even under the dial which isn't seen. Was unsure of the manufacturing date for these, and thought them to vaguely be from the 1950's. Rishad

Funny enough, I was told at the Omega museum about their dash-clocks (cal.59-8D) being standard-installed in Saurer trucks/ omnibusses as well.  Richon's book  'Journey thr. Time'  even shows pictures.

Over the years many clock pictures got stored on the pc, among which are these ones.

Presumably this what you did mention?

best,  Ben.

 

 

Suitbert,

As these dashboard 'clocks' were small and especially small on small aircraft panels, it triggered me to ask.

When does a large watch become a small clock?

I've seen large pocket watches that can be converted to small bedside table 'clocks' by flipping down a built-in stand or using an external stand.

Is it related to size? Or just if chains, bracelets and straps are attached?  No chain or strap, equals a clock? 

 

Regards,

MTF

...asking the wrong man here. As you know my english is very basic only, if at all.
I've always thought a watch would be defined by beeing somehow connected to the human body.
I.e. spending the majority of life with his master.
A clock beeing a more self-sufficient object, but not necessarily connected to size alone.
Some old time clocks are even smaller than a lot of todays watches

But, as said, I'm no specialist

Best
Suitbert

Suitbert,

Apart from the fact that your English is better than my German language    I asked you because of your vast historical knowledge of old watch/clockmaker technical facts. 

I thought maybe 'Three Wise Men' in horology had defined 'clock' and 'watch' long ago and we had lost it in our Internet world.  Now that you mentioned language, maybe you are right.  In German the root word applies to both watch and clock, I believe - uhr...urhen...

Happy New Year!  This Zenith forum may need your vintage knowledge in future...as we have forgotten our past.

 

Regards,

Melvyn