Clock Maintenance Woe: Issue of Mainspring Malfunction
A Canadian Clock Company's Journey: The Fleet Time Co.
In the heart of Montreal, Canada, between the years 1936 and 1940, the Fleet Time Company was in operation. This company was known for producing a variety of clocks, including mantel clocks, which were both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Before the Second World War, the company sourced movements for their two and three-train mantel clocks from Germany. However, the war took a heavy toll on the Fleet Time Co., as the source of movements dried up. The company, like many others, likely faced sourcing challenges due to disrupted international supply chains and increased military demand.
To adapt, the Fleet Time Co. might have turned to domestic suppliers or diversified their sources for clock movements. However, detailed information about their sourcing strategies or alternative suppliers during WWII is not readily available.
The Fleet Time Co. also produced clocks for the Forestville Clock Company of Canada, which assembled clocks with foreign movements in local and foreign-made cases through the late 1920s. Another company the Fleet Time Co. worked with was the Blackforest Clock Company, based in Toronto, Ontario. This company imported clock movements from Germany and sold them through department stores.
One interesting feature of the Fleet Time Co.'s clocks is the location of the star striking wheel on the movement of the clock. This wheel is usually found on the inside of the rear plate, but in these clocks, it is situated on the outside. This design choice results in a unique appearance and a distinctive sound, as the clock strikes on 3-rods producing a bim-bam sound.
The cases for some Fleet models were made in Canada, while others were imported from Germany. In some cases, the case of a clock has been reconditioned, with the addition of a dial and bezel from an old Blackforest Clock Co. clock.
The Blackforest Clock Company, founded by Leopold and Sara Stossel in 1928, is not to be confused with clocks from the Black Forest region of Germany. The Fleet Time Co.'s clocks, while not specifically from the Black Forest, were well-crafted and have stood the test of time.
For a more detailed and firm historical account of Fleet Time Co.'s sourcing during WWII, it is recommended to explore specialized horology archives, company records, or historical manufacturing databases focused on wartime production. If needed, further assistance can be provided in searching these specific resources.
- As the Fleet Time Company faced challenges in sourcing movements for their mantel clocks during WWII, they might have also explored vintage clock movements, given their interest in maintaining the aesthetic appeal of their vintage clocks.
- The evolution of the Fleet Time Company's operations, from collaborating with the Blackforest Clock Company to adapting their sourcing strategies amidst general-news events such as WWII, offers valuable insights into how companies in the lifestyle sector, including sports equipment or technology manufacturers, navigated similar supply chain disruptions.
- While the Fleet Time Co.'s mantel clocks are a testament to traditional clockmaking skills, advancements in technology may have played a part in enhancing their clock movements or manufacturing processes, making their clocks a unique blend of vintage style and modern functionality.
