Manufacturers and brands

Abstract

Members of the Synchronous Clock Conference, which was founded in 1932, dominated the manufacture of domestic synchronous clocks in the UK up to the start of the Second World War in 1939. Production continued during the war, but on a reduced scale. After the end of the war in 1945 big names re-reappeared, including Ferranti Ltd, Smiths Industries, and Telephone Manufacturing Co Ltd. There were many new UK manufacturers of domestic synchronous clocks, but only one of these, Metamec, survived to become a major manufacturer. Two American companies set up factories to produce synchronous clocks in the UK. Westclox survived to become a major manufacturer. Information, but not detailed company histories, on manufacturers of synchronous clocks and synchronous movements featured in Chaps. 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 is given in this chapter. Use of brands on clocks, including company names, is often inconsistent and confusing. A list of brands used to identify synchronous clocks in Chaps. 7, 8, 9, and 10 is given, together with the owner of each brand, where known. In the UK manufacture of synchronous clocks became widespread in the 1930s with the availability of mains electricity of standardised and accurately controlled frequency. When an old synchronous clock is acquired it is not usually accompanied by any manufacturer's paper work, and detailed identification may be difficult. Identification of synchronous clocks as definitely British made is usually straightforward.