Dashboard Pocket Watch Holder

[frank.koonce]

Hello Everyone. I found this pocket watch and holder on Facebook Marketplace last week. Do any of you know anything about it or similar items? Were they ever used on Model T Fords or were they specific to other cars? Thanks for any information that can be provided.

[Humblej]

That clock was not a Ford product and was never installed on a Model T at the Ford factory. But what Ford did not provide as either original equipment or as an authorized accessory was big business by other suppliers and sold thru places like Sears and Roebuck, Western Auto, etc. It will certainly fit on a Model T and is period correct, but like most accessories, it may be more trouble than its worth.

[jiminbartow]

I’d love to thumb through that Western Auto catalog. Just that one page is full of parts I’d order if I could. The push/pull switch in the upper left hand corner looks like the dome light switch on the right rear column of my 1926 Fordor. What is the month and year of that issue?

[Humblej]

Yea, it is a fun book to look thru from time to time. 127 pages, mostly Model T parts, accessories, and tools.

[Norman Kling]

Does anyone know that Western Auto was started by George Pepperdine?. He was the one for whom Pepperdine University was named. I can remember going into Glendale Ca. and there was a Western Auto about 2 doors from Pep boys on Brand Blvd. Between the two parts companies you could get many parts for Model T's and Model A's including rebuilt engines distributors coils timers etc. At the time I had a Model A. This was in the 1950's when I was in High School.
Norm

[Kaiser]

That watch holder is sure a nice find, would love to have one.

[jiminbartow]

Thank you for posting that Jeff. I went on eBay after seeing your post and there was a 1926-‘27 Western Auto Catalog for $19.00. I bought it and can’t wait for it to get here. Jim Patrick

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[frank.koonce]

Many thanks to Humblej for posting this catalog and the info in it for pocket watch holders. I did know that they were not original Ford products, but I was wondering if they were popular accessories back in the day and if any readers have found them on surviving Model Ts. Also, are any of you using one today on your car? I think the one I found would look nice on the wood firewall of my 1914.

[jiminbartow]

I think this period accessory would be a nice addition to your Model T as long as you have a pocket watch to put into it or people will have no idea what it is for.

[A Whiteman]

Here are some more dash mounts from our gallery section:
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app.php/gallery/image/2470
app.php/gallery/image/2413

[Wayne Sheldon]

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]

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

[DanTreace]

Here are some more.

[frank.koonce]

Thanks, Dan. Mine looks very much like the Frisco offset watch in your picture.

[frank.koonce]

This is great! Thanks, Wayne.

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.

[frank.koonce]

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

Yes!

[jiminbartow]

Here is a Westclox nickel plated auto clock I have had for years. This one has a white face. I have one just like it in my 1926 Coupe, only the face is black with glow in the dark painted radium hands and numbers. The long stem underneath clears the bottom of the dash making it very easy to wind and set. Jim Patrick

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