064-T-0993

JEFFERSON ELECTRIC CO. GOLDEN HOUR CLOCK
INDEX # : 064-T-0993

circa: 1949-1967

CLOCK STYLE Novelty

CLOCK NAME Golden Hour

MANUFACTURE Jefferson Electric Co., Bellewood, Illinois

CASE MODEL # 580-101

MOVEMENT TYPE Electric.

CASE SIZE AND CONSTRUCTION Base = 7 ½", Height = 9", Depth = 4 ½"

LABEL INFORMATION No paper label - original, manufacture information stamped on bottom of case.

DIAL INFORMATION See through dial, hands are located on back of case.

MISC. FEATURES This clock is known as a "Mystery Clock" due to it having no visible means of driving the minute and hour hands. The entire crystal rotates via a gear around the inside of the dial frame. An Electric motor drives the gear, and in turn, the crystal and hands.

ACQUIRED FROM Gift from my brother and his wife. Clock was originally owned by her Grandmother.

CONDITION WHEN ACQUIRED Not running, motor burnt up.

RESTORATION December 1998 - Replaced motor with new one from Merritt's Antiques, cleaned case, set clock to running.

HISTORICAL DATA

The Jefferson Electric Co. was established in 1915 (named after our third President, Thomas Jefferson). They manufactured bell and toy transformers. They moved operations to Bellewood, Ill. in 1931, where they continued to produce transformers. In 1949 they designed and manufactured the Golden Hour Clock. It was offered in gold, silver, and bronze colors. In 1953 the Philco Corp. offered a free Golden Hour clock with the purchase of a Philco TV. Philco purchased 50,000 clocks for this promotion. By 1968, more than two million Golden Hours had been produced. Jefferson Electric was purchased by Litton Industries in 1967, at which time they moved the manufacturing facility to Athens, Al. under the name of MagneTek, Inc.
Image to the left is the Jefferson factory c. 1950.

REFERENCES 1. NAWCC Bulletin No. 268, article in "The Answer Box" by Paul Heffner, page 485.

NOTES For some reason, KL is not to impressed with this timepiece. It has been banished to an unused upstairs bedroom. I'm not a big fan of electric clocks, but I find these to be pretty interesting and a unique design.

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Please note, that our interests are in preserving and restoring horological items, we do not sell pieces from our collection or provide online appraisals. Any emails requesting values will be discarded. Sorry, but I am not an appraiser nor do I have time to provide this service. If your questions are of a historical nature, I will be happy to respond.

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CLOCK STYLE	Novelty
CLOCK NAME	Golden Hour
MANUFACTURE	Jefferson Electric Co., Bellewood, Illinois
CASE MODEL #	580-101
MOVEMENT TYPE	Electric.
CASE SIZE AND CONSTRUCTION	Base = 7 ½", Height = 9", Depth = 4 ½"
LABEL INFORMATION	No paper label - original, manufacture information stamped on bottom of case.
DIAL INFORMATION	See through dial, hands are located on back of case.
MISC. FEATURES	This clock is known as a "Mystery Clock" due to it having no visible means of driving the minute and hour hands. The entire crystal rotates via a gear around the inside of the dial frame. An Electric motor drives the gear, and in turn, the crystal and hands.
ACQUIRED FROM	Gift from my brother and his wife. Clock was originally owned by her Grandmother.
CONDITION WHEN ACQUIRED	Not running, motor burnt up.
RESTORATION	December 1998 - Replaced motor with new one from Merritt's Antiques, cleaned case, set clock to running.
HISTORICAL DATA	The Jefferson Electric Co. was established in 1915 (named after our third President, Thomas Jefferson). They manufactured bell and toy transformers. They moved operations to Bellewood, Ill. in 1931, where they continued to produce transformers. In 1949 they designed and manufactured the Golden Hour Clock. It was offered in gold, silver, and bronze colors. In 1953 the Philco Corp. offered a free Golden Hour clock with the purchase of a Philco TV. Philco purchased 50,000 clocks for this promotion. By 1968, more than two million Golden Hours had been produced. Jefferson Electric was purchased by Litton Industries in 1967, at which time they moved the manufacturing facility to Athens, Al. under the name of MagneTek, Inc. Image to the left is the Jefferson factory c. 1950.
REFERENCES	1. NAWCC Bulletin No. 268, article in "The Answer Box" by Paul Heffner, page 485.
NOTES	For some reason, KL is not to impressed with this timepiece. It has been banished to an unused upstairs bedroom. I'm not a big fan of electric clocks, but I find these to be pretty interesting and a unique design.