MAGNIFYING DESK CLOCKS

Brass desk clocks were a commonly found item on desks during the 19th and 20th centuries. West End Watch Co. (WEWCo.) developed many of these over the years and examples of these has previously been covered in a post featuring Jazz clocks and alarms. 

Here, is an example of a WEWCo. brass desk clock from the mid 20th century featuring a fitted with a Wellgain Prestige quartz module. This was a new era where desk clocks could be fitted with quartz movements for accuracy, seen as progressive and convenient and a step beyond the manual wound desk clocks which would typically tick for 12 hours (sometimes more) and would require that the hairspring be manually winded via a crown.  

What is most unique about these heavy vintage desk clocks is the circular bubbled glass found on the dial front. This allows for a magnifying effect enabling the onlooker to view the time more easily. The domed glass sets a mood for mystical obscuring views when the clock is observed from side angles.

In this particular example below, the large and visible crown seen on top is used only to adjust the time. It is possible that the fitted quartz modules found in vintage desk clocks like these ones are modifications in this day and age, rather than being original WEWCo. pieces.