HISTORY:
TICK (pause) TOCK (pause) TICK (pause) TOCK Don't you just love that sound? If you do, move right along ... this clock has a "silent" movement, meaning that the second hand moves smoothly around the clock face and makes absolutely no sound at all. Great for a bedside clock!
Yes, I had/still have a passion for OLD clocks, the wind up type (clockwork) as they are fascinating insights into how time was measured in days gone by and it's a funny thing but as I get older, time becomes more and more important, as measured by old technology.
I used to collect mechanical clocks, being fascinated with all those gears, cogs and pendulums! Nothing fancy, just some early 20th Century mantle clocks such as the Ansonia's from USA and one or two English & French mantle clocks from the 19th Century.
The fascination really comes down to that lovely "tick-tock-tick-tock" sound, especially the larger clocks such as the Grandfather and Grandmother clocks, punctuated by the very nice gentle, soft chiming on the half and full hour.
This clock is completely different in that it's appeal primarily due to it being a reminder of older transitional technology from clockwork to fully electronic, this clock is the latter as it has a Quartz crystal electronic movement powered by a battery.
Although the movement could be considered "pretty ordinary" it is a slight variation in that it uses the sweep technology, meaning that the second hand smoothly rotates around the clock face and makes absolutely no sound at all, not even the slightest "tick tock"
The construction of this clock is of a hybrid nature, solid metal two part body, clear acrylic front face cover but inside is the electro-mechanical clock mechanism. This mechanism is referred to as a sweep movement, meaning that the second hand smoothly transitions around the clock face. It is actually driven by a very small electric motor, the speed of which is controlled by quartz crystal based electronics.
It does have an alarm, which is also electro-mechanical, when the alarm is ON another small motor rotates and the unbalance arm on the spindle of the alarm motor hits against a small metal bell.
The alarm sound is not at all very loud, almost like a buzzing sound! But when it is next to the bed, I guess it may serve as a "good enough" alarm bell.
Standard manual adjustments of the Hour/Minute hand and the Alarm time setting. There is a push button at the top which turns the Alarm on or off.
DIMENSIONS:
77mm diameter clock face
60mm front to back
WEIGHT: 215g
I am really into detail so the mechanism module is:
STAR
Made in China
Model: F63488
There is no external speed control available to the user, speed (timing) is quartz crystal controlled.
DULTON - Bedside Clock
Dulton was originally established in Japan
Electro-mechanical mechanism is of Chinese origin
I "think" the metal cast body was made in Taiwan
Circa 2014 (Yes, it is not a really old clock!)
Model: 100-053
COSMETIC CONDITION:
USED
Clean
All metal work is clean, shiny and without any oxidisation
Clear Acrylic front face cover is not cracked however I can see a short scratch in the glass
Internally very clean and this includes the battery terminals
Uses just 1x AA battery, Alkaline is best for long term reliability
TESTING:
I have had this clock for quite a while, it actually has been running just in front of me for months now - I like to watch the second hand whip around the clock face while I am working!
No issues at all with both the time movement, continued accuracy and the alarm function although as mentioned above, don't expect a loud clanging when the alarm is going off - it is quite a soft gentle bell sound, almost like a purr!
P.S I will not supply the battery - Australia Post is a bit touchy about sending batteries through the Post, even little AA batteries. This AA size battery is commonly available and always use the Alkaline type for clocks (not Zinc Carbon)
