About the Self Winding Clock Company

The Self Winding Clock Company (SWCC) of New York was founded in 1886 and became one of the most important manufacturers of precision timekeeping and time distribution equipment in American history. The company's clocks were the backbone of the Western Union time service, which for decades was the primary method of distributing accurate time across the United States.

The Western Union Time Service

The partnership between SWCC and Western Union created America's first nationwide time distribution network. Here is how the system worked:

1. The Primary Standard: The United States Naval Observatory in Washington, D.C. maintained the nation's official time using astronomical observations and, later, precision quartz and atomic clocks.
2. National Distribution: Each day at noon, the Naval Observatory transmitted a time signal over Western Union's telegraph lines to master clocks in Western Union offices across the country east of the Rockies.
3. Local Distribution: Each local master clock then sent hourly synchronization pulses to secondary clocks in businesses, jewelers, public buildings, and factories throughout its area.

Western Union provided the clocks, maintenance, and time service for a yearly subscription fee of approximately $25 -- a remarkable bargain for guaranteed accurate time in an era before radio time signals or quartz watches.

Gallery Clocks

The SWCC gallery clocks shown here are the most recognizable products of the company. Their large, round dials with bold numerals were designed to be readable from a distance in public spaces. Each gallery clock contains a synchronization solenoid that, when energized within about thirty seconds of the hour, forces the minute and second hands to point straight up, correcting any accumulated error.

Master Clocks

The SWCC master clocks were the heart of each local time distribution system. These tall, pendulum-driven clocks used battery-powered self-winding mechanisms that eliminated the need for manual winding. The master clock maintained accurate time locally and distributed hourly synchronization signals to all secondary clocks in its network. SWCC produced several movement styles, including the B-style and the more advanced F-style.

Military Clocks

SWCC also produced clocks for military applications. The military set shown here includes a master clock, sub-master, and gallery clock, forming a complete self-contained time distribution system. Military models were built to higher standards with chrome-plated components and invar (a nickel-iron alloy with near-zero thermal expansion) pendulums for enhanced accuracy and durability.

Radio Station Clocks

Three synchronized radio station clocks from the collection demonstrate another application of SWCC technology. Broadcasting stations required precise timekeeping for program scheduling and FCC compliance, and SWCC clocks provided the accuracy needed for on-air operations.