Benzing Master Time Clock
Circa 1920
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This master clock was made by the Benzing Clock Company of Germany. Benzing was famous for their advanced designs
of pigeon racing timers in the early 1900s. So it is no surprise that this master clock built between 1915 and 1920 would
also be of advanced design. It is not just a master clock to control other slave clocks, it is also a time clock or
time recorder. For other time clocks built during this time period, each time their was a shift change for the employees,
the payroll department would need to set the clock recording mechanism to reflect the shift change. This Benzing clock
did it all automatically. It was an advanced time recorder and an advanced master clock. The mechanism that would advance
the time recorder portion of the clock would also advance the minute hand. Once every minute the minutes hand would jump forward
one minute at the same time the recorder would jump forward one minute. You could also push a lever that would automatically
advance the clock ahead minutes or hours without you needing to touch the hands.
The large silver dial is the bell control. There are pins in the wheel to mark different times of the day. When the pin
reaches the control circuit, it closes a contact and causes a bell to ring. The pins can be placed anywhere on the wheel
for a 24 hour period in 5 minute segments.
The mechanism that records the time and advances the minute hand, is housed behind doors that all lock together like a Chinese puzzle.
It has a great time train and is a very good time keeper. This clock was ahead of its time.
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