MTFCA Forum

Wayne Sheldon wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 15, 2024 8:11 pm

A lot of more expensive automobiles had dash mounted clocks , sometimes as part of the standard equipment, sometimes as a factory option. Sometimes, some automakers, would have their name put on the factory authorized clocks. Often they did not.
Most dash mounted automobile clocks were sold after-market. I have seen hundreds, maybe even into the thousands, of them at swap meets and antique stores over the years.
My dad had a small collection of clocks for many years. He had worked part time for a short while for a local clock repair shop when he was in high school, and had a fondness for working on clocks. In his collection was one early brass era automobile clock, almost certainly an after-market one. After he passed (about twenty years ago), most of his collection was sold to help support my mother. But I still have that automobile clock.

The pocket watch holders really interest me! Quite different from an automobile clock.
I often make comments about "history needs to be examined in the context of its time!" Looking at the difficulties and inconvenience of an early model T from the viewpoint of our modern luxury car today makes people wonder how anyone could tolerate a model T in its day. But in the model T's day, one compared the Ford to sitting on the back of a horse, and having to take care of the horse everyday whether you went anywhere or not!
The pocket watch holder for an automobile was similar. It may seem silly today. But most cars built in the past half century had a clock as standard equipment. In addition to that, clocks are ubiquitous. We may or may not even wear a watch anymore. With clocks in our cars, on our phones, navigation and gaming devices, tvs and radios in our homes, and a clock on the wall in nearly every room in the house, who needs a watch?
However, back inn the model T's day, clocks were not so common. Most homes had one, and often it was only one, clock somewhere.
Most men back then had a pocket watch. Time was important then, although not as demanding a taskmaster as it is today. For many men back then, their pocket watch was the most valuable piece of personal property they owned!
Wrist watches had been around since the early 1800s. But they did not even begin to become popular until the late 1920s.Women sometimes had pendant watches, or carried them in a purse. But men expected to have a pocket watch!
The common folk couldn't afford a Pierce Arrow, or even the clock that might have come with it. But they aspired to be greater, and a clock on the automobile dash would be a small step up. Automobile clocks weren't cheap, and although a handy device, not really necessary. But there was that pocket watch sitting in their vest pocket. A couple bucks for a nice dash mounted watch holder and the pocket watch got to do double duty. The fellow had the convenience of glancing at the now dash mounted watch to see if he was on time or not, and didn't need to fumble around pulling out the watch and looking at it when he really needed both hands on the automobile's controls!
The pocket watch holder on the dash of an automobile? It may have been a bit silly? But it was practical and cheap. Much like our beloved model T.

RajoRacer wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 15, 2024 8:19 pm

I saw a pocket watch holder that mounted on a Model T steering wheel spoke - "cat's meow" on that one !