Help me identify American Clock

[Sergei]

Hello all.
Dear experts, please tell us what kind of watch.
I know that they are made in America, but nothing more about them do not know.
I am interested in the firm, year and any other information on these bounds.
In our country, American clocks are very rare, so we have to know nothing.
Yours.
Sergei.

[jacks61fd]

You have a Waterbury " YEDDO" model clock. Cataloged from 1891 to 1913 and possibly a few years either side of that date. It came in 3 dial sizes 8"-10" and 12". The smallest and largest are shown with gingerbread type pendulums, the 10" is shown with a pendulum like yours but with a decorative lower glass. All of the 3 sizes had brass buttons at the five cornoers of the lower door. Your dial appears to have been redone or replaced.

[soaringjoy]

Sergei, I believe these clocks are called "drop dials" and were popular
office clocks.
If you do a message board search on Waterbury, you'll get plenty of reading.

[Steven Thornberry]

Sergei, I believe these clocks are called "drop dials" and were popular
office clocks.
If you do a message board search on Waterbury, you'll get plenty of reading.

"Drop dial" is more of a term from the U.K. On this side of the pond, I think long drop or short drop (depending on the length of the "drop") is more common.

[soaringjoy]

Yes, but the Republic of Belarus is closer to the UK than you are.
So, is it a long or a short drop? I have no ideas, without something to compare
with.

[Steven Thornberry]

Yes, but the Republic of Belarus is closer to the UK than you are.
So, is it a long or a short drop? I have no ideas, without something to compare
with.

This is a short drop (ca. 24 inches). Long drops were commonly 32-36 inches. Length of the box is the key. However, I'm not sure the distinction short-drop/long-drop was meaningful to the manufacturers.

[soaringjoy]

No, probably not meaningful to the makers.
The Germans copied them too and each maker had his own name for them.
Similar with the so called Postman's alarm clocks.

[jmclaugh]

Well my book on American clocks refers to this type of clock as an octagonal wall clock with a short drop. The UK term 'drop dial' is derived from the far more common, usually circular, dial clock but obviously with a base in which the longer pendulum swings. The term drop dial is also used in the UK for the Anglo-American variant of a drop dial clock with a British case and American movement but not usually for a wholly American wall clock.

I understand in the US they often refer to 'dial clocks' as 'gallery clocks' which is something totally different over here and to think we share a common language. I hope all this hasn't confused you too much Sergei.

[Steven Thornberry]

Well my book on American clocks refers to this type of clock as an octagonal wall clock with a short drop. The UK term 'drop dial' is derived from the far more common, usually circular, dial clock but obviously with a base in which the longer pendulum swings. The term drop dial is also used in the UK for the Anglo-American variant of a drop dial clock with a British case and American movement but not usually for a wholly American wall clock.

I understand in the US they often refer to 'dial clocks' as 'gallery clocks' which is something totally different over here and to think we share a common language. I hope all this hasn't confused you too much Sergei.

Well we are two countries separated by a common language, so I've heard. (And over here, we like to make it up as we go along).

[Sergei]

Hello all.
Thank you very much for your help in identifying the clock.
Very good when you have to consult with anyone.
Yours.
Sergei.

[zepernick]

Sergei -- Welcome to the Message Board.

This talk of "short drops" and "long drops" and "drop dials" and what different clock traditions call them reminded me of some 1970s American slang that is now everywhere.

It's "drop-dead" when used as an adjective. For example, She wore a drop-dead dress! meaning "a striking dress" or "a stunning dress" or "beautiful."

So you could say "I have a drop-dead Waterbury" .

And come back and visit us again.

Regards
Zepernick

[Thyme]

This is a short drop (ca. 24 inches). Long drops were commonly 32-36 inches. Length of the box is the key. However, I'm not sure the distinction short-drop/long-drop was meaningful to the manufacturers.

Apparently it was, as some American manufacturers called them that in their catalogs. The term 'drop dial' usually refers to English clocks and the Anglo-American variants they inspired because their dominant feature was the size of the large round dial (usually 12 inches in diameter) that was the most prominent feature of the case. The drop appeared short compared to the large dial which covered most of the entire area of the drop.

However, Sergei's clock is generally known in the US as a "schoolhouse" clock. Most of them had an octagonal surround and were common, unadorned and usually time only.

[jmclaugh]

And over here, we like to make it up as we go along.

Yep, it amazes me how many times nouns turn into verbs in the US tv shows we get here, I haven't posted this on the mesage board I've messengered it.

[soaringjoy]

I'm familiar with the term "schoolhouse clock" too.

Does anybody know if the term "drop dial" derived from a drop such
as a tear drop, or was it a "drop" in the case form, in terms of "down-falling extension"?

[Steven Thornberry]

Yep, it amazes me how many times nouns turn into verbs in the US tv shows we get here, I haven't posted this on the mesage board I've messengered it.

Do you find it annoyancing?