Clock · Time clock

TR Services electric time clock and ticket holder

Partially verified

This time clock and accompanying ticket holder were manufactured by T.R. Services, London, around 1960. The system was designed for tracking employee work hours. The electric time clock is housed in a large, green rectangular metal casing intended for wall mounting, featuring a clock face with the maker's mark and a manual punch handle on the right side. The system includes a green plastic ticket holder, which contains twenty-five numbered, slanting pockets designed to store individual time cards. , and a stamp indicating the property of Telephone Rentals Limited. The physical construction incorporates a mix of metallic and plastic components, with an electrical lead extending from the rear of the clock unit. This object was documented as having been used in Melbourne, Australia.

The TR Services time clock unit alongside the associated twenty-five slot ticket holder. — Museums Victoria. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source: collections.museumsvictoria.com.au
Category: Clock · Time clock
Maker / attribution: T.R. Services
Reference: Not recorded
Catalogue / lot identifier: SH 922683
Source-reported date: circa 1960
Source-reported place: England

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

Construction and Design

The time clock is constructed as a substantial rectangular box, finished in green, intended for secure wall mounting. The design incorporates a primary clock dial situated on the upper portion of the face, which provides the visual time reference for operators. A specialized mechanical slot is positioned at the center, facilitating the insertion and punching of time cards to record attendance. The operation is supported by a browny-gold metal handle on the right side of the unit, which the user would manipulate to register the time on the cards.

Complementing the clock unit is a vertical ticket holder constructed from green plastic. This component features twenty-five slanting pockets, each designated with a specific number on a white sticker. The arrangement of these pockets allows for the organized storage of employee time cards in a sequence, essentially functioning as a companion to the punch clock. The entire assembly utilizes an electrical power connection to maintain the clock's operation, with a cord trailing from the main housing.

Evidence for this section

“Large green metal time clock used to record workers' hours. Rectangular box which fits onto wall.”
“Green plastic ticket holder with 25 slanting pockets for tickets, and which is also fixed to the wall.”
“R side of box has a browny-gold metal handle attached in the L.C., used to punch the cards.”

Signatures and Markings

The object bears several distinct inscriptions that identify its manufacturing and ownership history. The clock face displays the name "TR SERVICES" printed in black and silver, with the text "MADE IN ENGLAND" located near the numeral six. A prominent property label is affixed to the lower edge of the casing, identifying the unit as belonging to "Telephone Rentals Limited," with an address in Knightsbridge, London.

Further physical identifiers include a series of numbers 1 through 7 across the top of the unit on a black oblong plate. Despite the primary attribution to London, the casing also features an engraving on the rear indicating "MADE IN SWEDEN," suggesting a multinational production or component sourcing process. The brand mark "TR" is also found on a plastic stamp attached below the main clock dial.

Evidence for this section

“Front of box on clock face: "TR/ SERVICES" printed in black and silver. Below, near no.6, "MADE IN ENGLAND" printed in black.”
“Sticker on bottom edge printed in black on white background and white on red background: "PROPERTY OF/ Telephone Rentals? LIMITED/ HEAD OFFICE/ 193, KNIGHTSBRIDGE, LONDON SW7".”
“Engraved on L. third of back: "MADE IN SWEDEN".”

Usage and Context

This time clock system served as an industrial tool for monitoring the working hours of employees. Its primary function was to facilitate the mechanical recording of arrival and departure times onto physical cards. The presence of the Ticket Holder alongside the clock allowed for the management of twenty-five individual cards, ensuring an orderly tracking process for a specific group of workers.

The object was associated with professional use in Melbourne, Australia, indicating its utility as a standard piece of equipment within commercial or industrial environments during the mid-20th century. The specific configuration, including the electrical power supply and the manual punch mechanism, reflects the technology utilized for attendance tracking prior to the digital era.

Evidence for this section

“Large green electric time clock used to record workers' hours.”
“Association: type: Place Used, locality: Melbourne, region: Greater Melbourne, state: Victoria, country: Australia”

Open research questions

What specific role did the Swedish manufacturing components play in the assembly of the British-market TR Services clock?
How did the internal mechanism function to automate or assist the card punching process alongside the electric clock movement?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for TR Services electric time clock and ticket holder
Field	Source-reported value	Source quotation
Maker	T.R. Services	“made by TR Services, London”
Registration Number	SH 922683	“Registration number: SH 922683”
Date	circa 1960	“circa 1960”
Dimensions	Clock: 22.3 cm L, 15.4 cm W, 33.3 cm H; Ticket Holder: 93.5 cm H, 11 cm W, 3.1 cm D	“Above is clock. Ticket Holder: H-93.5cm W-11cm D-3.1cm”
Ownership	Telephone Rentals Limited	“PROPERTY OF/ Telephone Rentals? LIMITED”
Marking	Made in Sweden	“Engraved on L. third of back: "MADE IN SWEDEN”

Visible details

Green metal casing with a manual punch handle located on the right side.
Circular analog clock face displaying the TR Services logo.
Wall-mounted green plastic ticket rack with 25 numbered storage slots.
Electrical power lead extending from the lower rear of the casing.

Research qualifications

The internal mechanism is partially visible through a hole but its specific operation is not fully described.
The origin is marked as England by the maker and Sweden on the casing, leaving the exact location of assembly potentially ambiguous.

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

Consulted source

Time Clock - T.R. Services, London, circa 1960

Reviewed 2026-10-26 · Record 96160eb8b8

Terms in this record

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