Self Winding Clock Company - Notable Clocks Created By The Self Winding Clock Company

Notable Clocks Created By The Self Winding Clock Company

The SWCC clock's were usually used in synchronized time systems. Time systems that consisted of many clocks linked electrically to a master clock. The majority of the systems were installed in businesses, factories, banks, schools & universities. Many railroads also relied on SWCC synchronized clock systems. Some clocks were sold as individual timepieces but most clocks were a part of time systems. SWCC offered many very elegant designs for their clocks and the clocks could be purchased to match any decor. These were essentially catalog items. There were however many special one of a kind clocks and clock systems that were installed by SWCC. These were intended to be very important architectural statements. Two of the most significant installations were the clocks in the Grand Central Terminal and the enormous 4 dial clock and lighting system for the Metropolitan Life Insurance building. The 2 pictured clocks of the Grand Central Terminal and the outside clocks on the Metropolitan Life Insurance building were just part of each properties very complex synchronized time systems. Grand Central Terminal had a master clock that controlled all the clocks at the terminal. Metropolitan Life had two separate master clocks. One controlled the motors for the 4 outside clocks, rang the bells in the bell tower and controlled the spectacular and very complex outside lighting system. Another SWCC master clock controlled 184 slave clocks throughout the original building. Complex SWCC synchronized systems were even installed in the London Underground. The underground installation started in 1905 and eventually included about 600 SWCC clocks .

  • Four dial SWCC clock on the information kiosk in the main concourse of Grand Central Terminal. The dials are 24 inches in diameter. The clock was installed in 1913 when the terminal opened.

  • Outside the terminal is a 15 foot diameter SWCC clock surrounded by a 40 foot tall pediment. The dial's marvelous colors come from inch thick Tiffany glass. Installed in 1913.

  • Met Life building, in 1909, the tallest building in NY with 4 enormous SWCC 26 foot 5 inch diameter clocks. The minute hands are 17 foot 5 inches long and each weigh 1000 pounds. The hour hands are 13 feet long and weigh 700 pounds each.

  • The four illuminated clock dial are almost 3 stories tall. A SWCC master clock controls the four dials, powers the ringing of bells on the 46th floor and controls the lights in the lantern on the top of the building.

  • Illustration of the London Underground's Baker Street Waterloo Railway platform March 1906.

  • Clock at Tooting Bec Tube Station. This clock on the northbound platform was made by The Self Winding Clock Co, New York.

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