Automotive, Commercial and Marine Instrument and Control System Specialists since 1971
03 9457 4755
View Cart
Clocks
clocks
.jpg)
We have a love hate relationship with car clocks. I will try to explain rationally why.
These days the clocks we have available new are very easy to deal with. They work well and are quite accurate which is what we all want.
When it comes to older mechanical and electronic clocks that require repair there are some that are straight forward but the majority are simply hard work.
The car clock by design is on a hiding to nothing.
The clock is meant to work 24/7 in an environment that is subject to harsh vibration.
As a consequence it will be the first instrument to wear out in your car.
It is normally located high on the dash so it can be seen by all occupants.
Therefore it is subject to light and can be more difficult to extract from the dash.
These days it is compared with a modern wristwatch or an iphone.
The iphone or computer continually updates itself against Greenwich via the internet. The car clock has a tolerance and those with adjustment can take a long time to time in to be close for a while...........
Mechanical Electric car clocks are old technology and were designed to a price.
The car was designed to be used regularly.
Most classic cars are used irregularly at best.The timing of a car clock will drift as the battery goes flat.Some will even jam the points closed if the battery goes flat but the residual voltage is enough to burn the car to the ground.
When we opened the shop in Melbourne in 1998 the first job we had was a 1967 one owner E Type with the clock not working. The clock had stopped in 1967 and the owner had decided to get it fixed.Mechanically it was superb.The coil had broken which meant we could replace it and transistorise the clock to decrease spark discharge.
Many Instrument Repairers and most Watchmakers are not interested in repairing car clocks these days. Customers find it difficult to justify the cost and the wait.
Ian is a trained Watchmaker and an Instrument Maker.
We do need the assistance of a specialist watchmaker to rejewel some old movements or replace the staff in some balances which can take a long time as there are very few watchmakers doing this job and none being trained to replace them.
We understand the clock is part of the group of instruments in the car which we repair.
A clock takes more time to repair and test than most instruments.
Sometimes we are not successful the first time.
The message here is that you will have to invest some time in your clock for it to show time. Please be patient during this process. If you do not have the time or patience please leave the clock on ten to two or a quarter to three it will be right twice a day.
HI SPECIALS
Cobra kit car gauges were the catalyst for HISpecials. We now make a number of gauge series most with through dial illumination.
MOREHI SPECIALS
Our HIWhite gauges are one of the few gauge series with through dial illumination. We can supply a full set of gauges for your car or truck.
MORE
jaeger clocks
Jaeger Clocks
smiths rim wind
Smiths Rim Wind
smiths wind up
Smiths Wind Up
Smiths Wind Up
Smiths Wind Up
SAMPSON CLOCK
This one had a broken trip winding mechanism.
MOTORCYCLE CLOCKS
Very few early motorcycles had a clock.
This was a particularly well designed one from the 1930's
MOREMOTORCYCLE CLOCKS
The shock mounted Jaeger Le Coultre Movement in the HRD Vincent Clock.
Nice........
MORE
HEUER CLOCKS
Although we don't repair them I have always wanted a set and thanks to a very good friend of mine I now have these.
TACHOGRAPH
Early Tachograph clock movements were wind up.They progressed through electronic and are now digital with a battery backup.
MORE
VDO CLOCKS
Early Beetle Wind Up
VDO CLOCKS
This style of clock came in mechanical or electronic.
EARLY ELECTRIC CLOCKS
Alvis Smiths Clock
TRANSISTOR CLOCKS
A close up of a Tc clock that has been transistorised. Remember to specify positive or negative earth.
50's & 60's porsche clocks
.jpg)
356 Porsche Clock
KIENZLE CLOCKS
Same movement as the 356 Porsche.
Kienzle were responsible for their own branded clocks and those branded VDO
BAD NEWS
Old Veglia clocks in general are bad news. The same movement was used in many Italian cars be it Ferrari, Alfa or Lancia.
TOO FAR GONE?
.jpg)
We did actually make this clock work but we found a new replacement which was a much better proposition. Water damage is generally terminal.
70's CLOCKS
These are getting difficult to find.
DIGITAL CLOCKS
Many Digital clocks are straight forward to repair providing the display is not physically broken or bleeding.
Some of them come under the heading of display and backlight repairs.
70's CLOCKS
We can repair many of these
80's CLOCKS
Generally straight forward to repair.
REPAIRS
These days vehicle electronics are becoming more complicated.
No longer can you just drop down to the wreckers and plug another instrument cluster into your car.
If your car does start what about the odometer reading?
Have you bought the same problem you currently have?
Our repairs offer a viable alternative to buying a new or second hand item.
MORERESTORATIONS
We enjoy doing restorations and talking to you about your project; we are car enthusiasts as well!
Ian has a 1923 D3 Stoewer.
Craig also has a few 1920's cars and a 60's Valiant.
Rodger has Mini's and a Marcos.
Restorations do however take some time particularly if you want something different so please plan well in advance.
MOREvdo
VDO has been the 'name to know' for many years and we have been associated with the brand since our inception.
We carry over 1000 VDO items in stock and are the closest VDO outlet to the VDO warehouse in Melbourne.
MOREsmiths classic
Smiths style is timeless.
We have the best range of new Smiths Instruments in stock in Australia.
We restore many Smiths and Jaeger Instruments going back to Edwardian Vehicles.
MORE
Porsche Metric Dial
We now have metric dials and odometer gears for most Porsche Speedo's up to the late 1980's.
.jpg)
Tacho Upgrades
Changed your 60-70's car to electronic ignition?
We can help make your tacho work again.
