SuitbertW
2411
These weren't wall or....
Jan 10, 2011,00:08 AM
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
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Newcomer
By: Timertom : January 9th, 2011-10:25
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 weren't wall or....
By: SuitbertW : January 10th, 2011-00:08
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 k...
Highly interesting, thanks! ...
By: Marcus Hanke : January 10th, 2011-04:31
... 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...
Excellent
By: Timertom : January 10th, 2011-05:08
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...
8 days clocks
By: DeGeus : January 10th, 2011-06:08
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,...
Definition: When does a watch become a clock?
By: MTF : January 10th, 2011-09:26
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 f...
You're definetely....
By: SuitbertW : January 10th, 2011-14:08
...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-...
It was not the language
By: MTF : January 10th, 2011-18:31
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' l...