Posted 6 years ago
rlwindle
(138 items)
Telechron and General Electric Cyclometers
Picture 1. Harry Warren’s company holds the patents for the first electrical digital clocks that Warren termed the Cyclometer; the name of this first cyclometer was the Minitmaster after that came the Executive (both patents were issued on the same day but the Minitmaster received the first patent), the Minitman. Besides these three cyclometers most of Mr. Warren and General Electric’s other Cyclometers have found a home in my collection and are in running condition considering their age, they are the Register, the New Executive, the Barron, the Budgeteer, and others.
Picture 2. Minitmaster Model 8B01, 1933
On May 22, 1933 Edgar Bourguin received patent #D89 741 for the Minitmaster, the same day he received patent #D89 742 for the Executive. The Minitmaster has a molded black plastic case, gold finished ornaments, and a front metal panel with an etched design. It features three lacquered metal drum style dials and a sweep second disk with printed numerals. A miniature MAZDA lamp illuminates the dial. 13,419 were sold according to company records.
Most of the gold ornamentation on this one has worn off over time but still shows up on the right foot of the clock, the sides are ornamented with an hourglass design. The front metal panel shows some discoloration in two spots in the upper right hand corner under the minute dials, and in the lower left hand corner. The picture shows the clock in unlit and lit mode although you probably still had to get up to see the time on these, the diamond pattern grid is nice.
Picture 3. Executive Model 8B02, 1933
The GE Warren Executive Telechron Bakelite Art Deco Clock Model 8B02 from 1933 is a cool little clock. It lights up so you could see what time it is at night. The motor is in excellent shape, hums quietly along and the MAZDA bulb works.
Designed by Edgar Bourquin, the Telechron is bedecked with stylized thistle, or dandelion blossoms and leaves on the front panel along with a geometric diamond on the top front facet and each side (although worn, see top in first picture). It has the power interruption indicator. The cord is in sorry shape, but the plug is in great shape. I did plug it in when I got it to see if it ran, it did and I have since restored and replaced the fiber wrapped cord, the plug is original to the clock.
Company ad copy for this "NEW TYPE Handless Clock" reads
"Today's busy executive now has a clock that talks his own language! His time tables, appointments, cards, and cost sheets read in numerals, as '10:45',' 6:27'. This clock tells time the same way, by giving him the exact second of the hour at all times with unvarying accuracy by means of changing numerals."
I thought the “exact” second blurb was a little strange because the seconds run from 60 to 1, not 1 to 60.
Picture.4 Minitman Model 8B03, 1933
The Minitmaster and the Executive the Minitman made their debute in 1933. The Minitman has a brown mahogany case with Satinwood ornamentation on the front and top panels and a stationary bronze escutcheon plate. It has three drum type dials with black numbers. This model does not display seconds, there is no second disk on it like its brothers the Minitmaster and Excutive. It is 6 and 1/8 inches tall and 4 and 3/8 inches wide and 3 11/16 inches deep, and it features the power indicator. There were 6, 452 units sold according to company records and originally sold for $9.95.
An advertisement for this clock read:
"Minitman - Marks minutes as a speedometer marks miles."
Copyright 2018 RLW
