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Why no Telechron Westminster Clocks?
General Electric had great success marketing their lessor expensive clocks to the masses, while Revere had great success marketing their slightly higher line clocks to those who wanted to pay more. Again, regardless of the name, model, style or how elaborate the clock was, all ran on the same exact Telechron Westminster Movement. Almost all shared the exact same bezels, hands, rear doors, chime rods and even very similar dials. All shared the same comment to using high-grade veneers and decorations on their cases. Ironically, Telechron sat in the shadows through all this. Despite the fact Telechron produced some of the finest non-chiming clocks of the time, they never produced a single Westminster Clock. GE and Telechron were one-in-the-same. GE produced a full line of non-chiming clocks, but most of these were actually identical to Telechrons, just the name on the dial different. So it would make sense that Telechron would put their name on a few GE Westminster clocks, but it never happened. It could have been because all three companies found their niche’ in the market, and another Westminster Company would have been self-defeating. Telechron was enjoying the income from GE sales anyway, so why bother? It is also quite possible that there was a non-competitive clause in 1927 when Revere opened allowing them to be the first in this brand new Westminster market. As a trade-off, it quite possible that Walter Herschede agreed not to compete with Telechron in the non-chiming market. Knowing the success Revere had in the Westminster market, it would make sense that a line of non-chiming Revere clocks would have gone through the roof. However, in their entire history right up until 1972, Revere never produced a single, non-chiming clock.
So what to collect?
Up until now, it may have been possible that you didn’t know that General Electric was once related to Revere, and both related to Telechron. It may have been possible that you knew this, but possibly unaware that the internal workings and construction qualities were nearly identical, regardless who made it. This can open up a new door and possibly present bargains others would walk away from. This holds particularly true for the General Electric Westminster clocks. Most collectors assume that Revere was the first and only name in Telechron Westminster bidding these clocks up on Ebay into the hundreds. Yet, the GE versions get ignored and many times sell for a fraction of their Revere counterparts or their real value.
This 1942 General Electric Model 408 was purchased for $33.40 including all shipping. This is only the second New Maestro we’ve seen.
During the same period of, I was also lucky enough to acquire this 1943 General Electric Model 410 called the Chorus for $34.37 including all shipping. We haven’t had another one since.
Why no Telechron Westminster Clocks?
General Electric had great success marketing their lessor expensive clocks to the masses, while Revere had great success marketing their slightly higher line clocks to those who wanted to pay more. Again, regardless of the name, model, style or how elaborate the clock was, all ran on the same exact Telechron Westminster Movement. Almost all shared the exact same bezels, hands, rear doors, chime rods and even very similar dials. All shared the same comment to using high-grade veneers and decorations on their cases. Ironically, Telechron sat in the shadows through all this. Despite the fact Telechron produced some of the finest non-chiming clocks of the time, they never produced a single Westminster Clock. GE and Telechron were one-in-the-same. GE produced a full line of non-chiming clocks, but most of these were actually identical to Telechrons, just the name on the dial different. So it would make sense that Telechron would put their name on a few GE Westminster clocks, but it never happened. It could have been because all three companies found their niche’ in the market, and another Westminster Company would have been self-defeating. Telechron was enjoying the income from GE sales anyway, so why bother? It is also quite possible that there was a non-competitive clause in 1927 when Revere opened allowing them to be the first in this brand new Westminster market. As a trade-off, it quite possible that Walter Herschede agreed not to compete with Telechron in the non-chiming market. Knowing the success Revere had in the Westminster market, it would make sense that a line of non-chiming Revere clocks would have gone through the roof. However, in their entire history right up until 1972, Revere never produced a single, non-chiming clock.
So what to collect?
Up until now, it may have been possible that you didn’t know that General Electric was once related to Revere, and both related to Telechron. It may have been possible that you knew this, but possibly unaware that the internal workings and construction qualities were nearly identical, regardless who made it. This can open up a new door and possibly present bargains others would walk away from. This holds particularly true for the General Electric Westminster clocks. Most collectors assume that Revere was the first and only name in Telechron Westminster bidding these clocks up on Ebay into the hundreds. Yet, the GE versions get ignored and many times sell for a fraction of their Revere counterparts or their real value.
As an example, I was able to recently purchase a 1939 General Electric Model 366 Haverhill off of Ebay for a mere $26.50 including all shipping. This is only the third Haverhill we’ve had the opportunity to see over the past few years.
During the same period of, I was also lucky enough to acquire this 1943 General Electric Model 410 called the Chorus for $34.37 including all shipping. We haven’t had another one since.
In conclusion, The “Dark Era” of both GE and Revere (1931 to 1940) should be of particular interest to collectors when shopping on Ebay. Both companies produced a limited number of clocks during this time, yet General Electric gets overlooked. Any General Electric clock is worth as much as any Revere clock, especially since Revere probably made the darn thing to begin with! (To learn more about this period , click here to read our guide on Rare Revere Clocks on Ebay)
Guide created: 12/08/08 (updated 09/27/09)
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