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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock · Electric wall clock

Synchro large electric wall clock

Partially verified

This large electric wall clock is fitted within a circular brass-toned metal casing measuring 47 cm in diameter. The source states that the clock operates from mains electricity and features a white dial with Arabic numerals. The dial is printed with 'SYNCHRO ELECTRIC' below the 12 position and 'MADE IN ENGLAND' along the lower edge under the 6 numeral. It indicates time using a spade-form hour hand, a straight minute hand, and an outer railway-style minute track marked with triangular hour pointers.

Front view of the Synchro electric wall clock showing dial and brass-coloured bezel
Front view of the Synchro electric wall clock showing dial and brass-coloured bezel — Bonhams. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
cars.bonhams.com
Category
Clock · Electric wall clock
Maker / attribution
Synchro
Reference
Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier
406
Source-reported date
Not established
Country
United Kingdom

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Hands

The auction description documents a 'white dial with Arabic numerals'. Physical inspection of the dial face reveals an outer railway-style minute ring accented with triangular index markers at each hour position.

Time is indicated by a dark spade hour hand and a long straight minute hand, both featuring shaped counterpoises. Below the 12 o'clock position, the dial is marked 'SYNCHRO ELECTRIC', and below the 6 o'clock position it bears the inscription 'MADE IN ENGLAND'.

Evidence for this section
  • “white dial with Arabic numerals”
  • “Dial inscribed 'SYNCHRO ELECTRIC' below 12 o'clock and 'MADE IN ENGLAND' below 6 o'clock”
  • “Dark spade hour hand and long straight minute hand with shaped counterpoises”
  • “Outer railway-style minute ring accented with triangular index markers at each hour”

Casing and Dimensions

Visible observation shows a stepped circular brass-coloured bezel and casing framing the dial.

According to the lot catalogue details, the clock measures '47cm diameter'. Details concerning the reverse side of the case and mounting assembly are not recorded in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “47cm diameter”
  • “Stepped circular brass-coloured bezel and casing”

Power Specification and Historical Note

The listing specifies that the clock 'runs off mains electricity'. Neither the movement mechanism itself nor the clock's operational status is documented in the source.

The catalogue footnote supplies generalized historical context for this class of clock: 'Syncro clocks of this sort were often found in factories and workplaces, where a series of smaller clocks would be run from a \'locked\' master, so that all the clocks would read the same time and could not be tampered with.' No specific institutional or commercial provenance for this individual lot is provided in the source.

Evidence for this section
  • “runs off mains electricity”
  • “Syncro clocks of this sort were often found in factories and workplaces, where a series of smaller clocks would be run from a 'locked' master, so that all the clocks would read the same time and could not be tampered with.”

Open research questions

  • What specific electrical movement or drive system is housed behind the dial?
  • Does the rear of the casing carry any maker's data plate, serial numbering, or voltage specification stamps?
  • What is the original commercial or industrial site history of this specific clock?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Synchro large electric wall clock
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Power sourceMains electricity“runs off mains electricity”
Dial typeWhite dial with Arabic numerals“white dial with Arabic numerals”
Diameter47 cm“47cm diameter”
Sale price£172.50 inc. premium“Sold for £172.50 inc. premium”
Sale date19 November 2007“19 November 2007, 10:30 GMT”
Sale locationHarrogate, Great Yorkshire Showground“Harrogate, Great Yorkshire Showground”

Visible details

  • Stepped circular brass-coloured bezel and casing
  • Dial inscribed 'SYNCHRO ELECTRIC' below 12 o'clock and 'MADE IN ENGLAND' below 6 o'clock
  • Dark spade hour hand and long straight minute hand with shaped counterpoises
  • Outer railway-style minute ring accented with triangular index markers at each hour

Research qualifications

  • Internal movement and reverse side of the case are not visible in the catalogue photograph
  • Operational state and mechanical completeness are not documented

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Bonhams Cars : A large Syncro electric clock,

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 5e24d45d10

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

Other electric wall clock records