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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Clock type · Specialist

Time Recorders and Factory Clocks

Partially verified

Clocks that print or punch the time on a card to record working hours.

Movement & mechanism

  • A conventional clock movement drives a printing or punching mechanism
  • A card is inserted and stamped with the current time
  • Many were part of a master and slave network in larger works

Identification

  • A card slot and printing or punching mechanism
  • Company nameplates from the recorder trade rather than clockmakers
  • Original cards and ribbons are rarely present

Terminology

  • Time recorder
  • Card punch
  • Works clock

Known variations

  • Printing, punching and dial-recorder versions

Collecting notes

Originality decides value and interest: check that movement, dial and case belong together, and prefer honest wear over refinishing. Movement work belongs with a clockmaker; cleaning a dial or case yourself commonly destroys the evidence that dates the clock.

Diagram

escape wheelpallets and leveroscillator
Schematic: escapement arrangement. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Sources & references

  1. Britten, F. J., Old Clocks and Watches and Their Makers
  2. Loomes, B., reference works on British clockmakers (edition-dependent)
  3. Museum catalogue descriptions of comparable examples

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.