Car clocks have been in use since a long period of time. While the designs have undergone many changes with time, staring form the traditional designs of two hands to the digital ones with neon and Led. However, even today, inspite of new designs, there are certain section of people who prefer to use vintage clocks in their cars. While the vintage clocks are an essential accessory of a vintage car, vintage clocks are also seen in modern cars.
Smiths Car Clocks
Smiths car clocks were used on various British automobiles. These car clocks were manufactured by a jeweller named Samuel Smith at Newington Causeway, who opened his company in 1851. He was also in the business of supplying clocks and watches besides manufacturing jewelries. In 1899, a private company was formed by Samuel Smith's son, who was also his successor. The name of the company was S. Smith & Son Ltd. This new company supplied "motor watches" for the earliest cars. In 1904, the company produced its first speedometer. Smiths car clocks were later imported around the world.
Jaeger Car Clocks
Jaeger car clocks were developed in 1880 by the great French watchmaker Edmond Jaeger. He was known to be a dynamic person who was involved in developing mechanisms for measuring speeds. He was the founder in the development of tachometers, chronometers, and automobile and cockpit clocks. The Jaeger car clocks were known or reliability and quality and were installed in the dashboard of many of the greatest names in the automobile industry in 1920s and 1930s like Bamford & Martin , Delaunay, Bugatti, Bentley, Rover, Renault, Delage and Vauxhaull.
Waltham and Elgin Car Clocks
The Waltham Watch Company, was known for their high quality speedometers, watches, clocks, and other precision instruments which were manufactured between 1850 and 1957. The company initially produced watches and chronometers. In 1911 the Waltham Watch Company began to manufacture car clocks. They were referred as "automobile timepieces" by the company. The early Waltham car clocks were very expensive and hence a few reputed makes like Packard and Pierce Arrow fitted the Waltham car clocks as standard equipment. They were later sold as car accessories and were thus installed onto the Fords, Buicks and Dodge cars of the period. They were later fitted as standard equipment on a wider range of car makes.