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Thread: Radio Room Clock

  1. #1
    Craftsman
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    Radio Room Clock

    Just thought I'd post a couple of quick photo's of my latest acquisition that arrived today.
    It is a 60's / 70's German radio room clock with 8 day movement, made by Tobias Bauerle they
    were delivered to the Wehrmacht and later on for the Bundeswehr until the end of 1970‘s.
    On the back of the case shows the serial number and the NSN
    6645-12-120-1511.
    It has a lovely dial with the 3H inscription and the lume has a lovely creamy colour.
    Absolutely love it!!






  2. #2
    Master ed335d's Avatar
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    That's fabulous

  3. #3
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    What a beauty. Well done!
    Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH

  4. #4
    Its lovely the mechanical ones are

  5. #5
    Master
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    Looks lovely. What is it that makes it a radio room clock?

  6. #6
    Craftsman
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    Quote Originally Posted by berin View Post
    Looks lovely. What is it that makes it a radio room clock?
    Basically used by a radio operator when a radio message would come in he would look at the clock and put the time on the message.

    In 1934 the Reichheer contracted Junghans based in Schramberg to produce the first duty clocks for use in radio stations, they are known as “Betreibsuhren”, “Stationsuhren” or by current collectors as “Funkeruhren”. As the army grew, around 1937 two other manufacturers became involved in the production of Funkeruhren: Kienzle and Tobias Beaurle & Soehne, both based in Schwenningen. Funkeruhren were produced for the Heer, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine.
    This mix of clients and manufacturers led to the existence of many different variations of the Funkeruhr.

    More info here: http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=368165

    and here: http://www.vintage-time.de/index.php...der-Luftwaffe/

    Steve
    Last edited by Steve B; 9th March 2017 at 14:32.

  7. #7
    Congrats nice clock. I also collect a few military clocks. Got two German WW2 German radio room clocks there design stayed the same for a long time except the older ones had a wooden case and yours I think plastic of some kind like the dial and hands on yours a lot with the 3H.

  8. #8
    Master
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    Thanks Steve, very helpful. One would fit in my study very nicely. I assume this is a similar vein, only Smiths. Does it look reasonable?


    Quote Originally Posted by Steve B View Post
    Basically used by a radio operator when a radio message would come in he would look at the clock and put the time on the message.

    In 1934 the Reichheer contracted Junghans based in Schramberg to produce the first duty clocks for use in radio stations, they are known as “Betreibsuhren”, “Stationsuhren” or by current collectors as “Funkeruhren”. As the army grew, around 1937 two other manufacturers became involved in the production of Funkeruhren: Kienzle and Tobias Beaurle & Soehne, both based in Schwenningen. Funkeruhren were produced for the Heer, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine.
    This mix of clients and manufacturers led to the existence of many different variations of the Funkeruhr.

    More info here: http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=368165

    and here: http://www.vintage-time.de/index.php...der-Luftwaffe/

    Steve

  9. #9
    Craftsman
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    Quote Originally Posted by berin View Post
    Thanks Steve, very helpful. One would fit in my study very nicely. I assume this is a similar vein, only Smiths. Does it look reasonable?
    That one in your link looks like a ships clock, it also seems quite expensive. This one on fleabay

    just finished and was 'only' £280, they don't come along to often. I have another Smiths wall clock with came from an onshore naval establishment. The ebay pic is first then my clock is after.




  10. #10
    Master
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    Yes, marked as a ships radio room clock. Can you suggest where I might find one akin to yours please?


    Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

  11. #11
    Master
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    I like that a lot. What would be the going market price for something like that, OP?

  12. #12
    I love these! I picked one up from this very forum a couple of years ago and it's been running strong ever since. It looks cool and I enjoy the process of winding it by turning that big wheel!

  13. #13
    Here are a few on my radio room clocks

    A Wempe for a civilian ships radio room


    A German Kienzle issued date 1940

    My German U-boat clock or just a German naval clock from WW2 never know could of been used in a radio room.

    The US Army called them message center clock but used for the same purpose as a radio room clock.


    This one was made by Junghans

  14. #14
    That's a lovely looking clock, where would you buy something like that ? German eBay ? or is there a specialist forum for things like this?

  15. #15
    Craftsman
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    Quote Originally Posted by Vanguard View Post
    That's a lovely looking clock, where would you buy something like that ? German eBay ? or is there a specialist forum for things like this?
    Keep an eye on ebay, they come up from time to time, that's where I got mine from.

    Steve

  16. #16
    Master
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve B View Post
    Keep an eye on ebay, they come up from time to time, that's where I got mine from.

    Steve
    They do look lovely. What would the search be for? Just radio room clock?

  17. #17
    Craftsman Morrissey's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve B View Post
    Just thought I'd post a couple of quick photo's of my latest acquisition that arrived today.
    It is a 60's / 70's German radio room clock with 8 day movement, made by Tobias Bauerle they
    were delivered to the Wehrmacht and later on for the Bundeswehr until the end of 1970‘s.
    On the back of the case shows the serial number and the NSN
    6645-12-120-1511.
    It has a lovely dial with the 3H inscription and the lume has a lovely creamy colour.
    Absolutely love it!!





    What a beautiful piece


    Mozza


    Sent from my iPhone using TZ-UK mobile app

  18. #18
    Great watch I loved it.

  19. #19
    Grand Master JasonM's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Steve B View Post
    That one in your link looks like a ships clock, it also seems quite expensive. This one on fleabay

    just finished and was 'only' £280, they don't come along to often. I have another Smiths wall clock with came from an onshore naval establishment. The ebay pic is first then my clock is after.



    Why is is marked Smith and not Smiths I wonder?
    Cheers..
    Jase

  20. #20
    Quote Originally Posted by JasonM View Post
    Why is is marked Smith and not Smiths I wonder?
    Q."Some clocks in the Smiths range are marked "Smith" on the dial, whilst others are marked "SmithS". Can you explain this and is there a changeover date."

    A In their early catalogues the company called itself "Smith's". The 1935 catalogue has two sections "Smith's" and "Smith-Empire".

    In 1936 they started using "Smith" as the name and this continued in their advertising until 1942. I have a blank in my records until 1948, by which time they had started to use the name "Smiths". After that, "Smiths" was used consistently. There is no apparent precise date for the change and I think that the older signature remained in use until each particular model was discontinued.

    The situation is complicated, as always with Smiths, because somebody dreamed up the trade name "Smith Alarms" and this was used as a logo on some alarms and pictorial clocks from roughly 1952 to 1955.

    http://www.electric-clocks.co.uk/smiths/sm-faq.htm

  21. #21
    Radio room clocks are nice. This is running absolutely perfect too. Not issued though




  22. #22
    Grand Master Wallasey Runner's Avatar
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    A Smiths Radio Room Clock has just appeared on e-bay as buy it now. Needs a service and no wind key, but it looks fairly nice to my untrained eye.

    http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1423766994...&ul_noapp=true

    A heads up for anyone looking for one.

    Ken

  23. #23
    Grand Master JasonM's Avatar
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    Sorry I missed the reply Bitfield, thanks for the explanation. 👍
    Cheers..
    Jase

  24. #24
    Craftsman Morrissey's Avatar
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    Un-believably interesting, thanks for the info

    Mozza


    Quote Originally Posted by Steve B View Post
    Basically used by a radio operator when a radio message would come in he would look at the clock and put the time on the message.

    In 1934 the Reichheer contracted Junghans based in Schramberg to produce the first duty clocks for use in radio stations, they are known as “Betreibsuhren”, “Stationsuhren” or by current collectors as “Funkeruhren”. As the army grew, around 1937 two other manufacturers became involved in the production of Funkeruhren: Kienzle and Tobias Beaurle & Soehne, both based in Schwenningen. Funkeruhren were produced for the Heer, Luftwaffe and Kriegsmarine.
    This mix of clients and manufacturers led to the existence of many different variations of the Funkeruhr.

    More info here: http://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/foru...d.php?t=368165

    and here: http://www.vintage-time.de/index.php...der-Luftwaffe/

    Steve

  25. #25
    Grand Master Wallasey Runner's Avatar
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    New incoming: I managed to get an Astral (trading name of Smiths) Radio Room Clock off e-bay. It has a Junghans Quartz movement and the whole thing is in virtually mint condition. The clock is allegedly 30+ years old, but difficult to date accurately.







    I am happy to have found one in such good condition and really don't mind the Quartz movement. There is a Smiths Radio Room clock on e-bay with a proper movement for £275 'buy now' that requires a service and some restoration on the case. I preferred this one.
    Last edited by Wallasey Runner; 23rd May 2017 at 15:22.

  26. #26
    Master alfat33's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wallasey Runner View Post
    New incoming: I managed to get an Astral (trading name of Smiths) Radio Room Clock off e-bay. It has a Junghans Quartz movement and the whole thing is in virtually mint condition. The clock is allegedly 30+ years old, but difficult to date accurately.



    I am happy to have found one in such good condition and really don't mind the Quartz movement. There is a Smiths Radio Room clock on e-bay with a proper movement for £275 'buy now' that requires a service and some restoration on the case. I preferred this one.
    Looks great. Does it have a Made in England quartz movement? That would be pretty cool.

  27. #27
    Grand Master Wallasey Runner's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by alfat33 View Post
    Looks great. Does it have a Made in England quartz movement? That would be pretty cool.
    Unfortunately not, it just shows Junghans, made in Germany. I understand this is a quality maker.

    It does say Made in Great Britain on the bottom of the dial.



  28. #28
    Master alfat33's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Wallasey Runner View Post
    Unfortunately not, it just shows Junghans, made in Germany. I understand this is a quality maker.
    A pioneer of quartz movements among other things, if I've understood correctly. What a great find.

  29. #29
    Grand Master Wallasey Runner's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by alfat33 View Post
    A pioneer of quartz movements among other things, if I've understood correctly. What a great find.
    Thank you. I have absolutely no idea of the going rates for these types of clocks apart from seeing restored ones on specialist dealers websites for £350 to £600 or more.

    This one seemed like a bargain with a late flourish of bids, I got it for £127.00 plus postage. Seems like small beer to me.

  30. #30
    Master
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    These radio room clocks are beautiful. I especially like the fact that they have significant historical provenance.

  31. #31
    Grand Master Mr Curta's Avatar
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    I bought this Smiths Astral Radio Room Clock which appears to have had an interesting history. I found a much older dial lurking behind the one with the 500kHz silence markings which might also be why the second hand isn't in the usual distinctive red. The 8-day movement keeps excellent time.














    I also have an 8-day mechanical Kelvin Hughes (which was a division of Smiths Group from 1966 to 2007), with the additional 2182 kHz markings.




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