(Emblem from
Lawson's showroom)

Q: Was my Lawson clock made in the 1930s?

A: Yes, if it was made in Los Angeles. No, if it was made elsewhere. Specifically:

Los Angeles 1934 -1940
Pasadena 1940 -1942
Alhambra 1948 - c.1975

These dates may not be absolutely precise (parts may have been left over, etc) but we know from both articles of incorporation and phone directories, where the company was and when.

1934-35 Lawson Clocks Ltd., Los Angeles

c.1935 Lawson Time, Inc., Los Angeles

1935-40 Los Angeles (first appearance of patent #1,990,645)

1940-42 Pasadena

1940-42 Pasadena (first appearance of "Model P40")

1948-c.1975 Alhambra (serial number stamped on plate)

Also Alhambra, later production (w/UL approval - patent expired?)


Q: Was my clock designed by KEM Weber?

A: KEM Weber made some drawings for Lawson and several clock designs have been attributed to him. There are also two drawings in the KEM Weber book (see below). However, neither of these two designs appears to have been produced.



Without question, KEM Weber had a hand in some of the earliest Lawson designs. But did he design approximately 100 different clocks, over a 40-year period, and go uncredited? Some will point out that designers are often anonymous. True, but the 1938 Lawson catalog does say who the designers were: Ferher & Adomatis.


Lawson Time-Table Time - Creations For 1938 (catalog)

Could anyone other than KEM Weber create such striking streamlined designs? Frankly, yes. During the period from c. 1933 to WWII, everything from locomotives to pencil sharpeners was available in a streamlined version. To take just one example:



Left: Lawson Zephyr model 304, designed by KEM Weber
Right: Chronotherm thermostat, designed by Henry Dreyfuss

Q: Is my Lawson clock rare?

A: You've probably noticed, everything on eBay is RARE. Still, it's fair to say most Lawson models truly are somewhat scarce, with certain finishes being less common. It's easier to point out the three that turn up frequently. Most surprising is the Zephyr (above), which, with its rakish design, might have been too wild for some tastes. Yet, this model was made at all three Lawson factories and I have seen as many as four on eBay at the same time. The earliest 1930s Zephyrs are a bit different, with the style 1b numbers (see below) and ball feet. The Zephyr, in bronze finish, is among the most desirable yet easiest to find Lawson models.

Also common is the Sierra (also called the Sportsman) model 215. Its worth noting that early versions of model 215 had a different case, taller and with ball feet, compared to the later versions of this popular model.


Lawson Sierra, model 215

Finally, there is the New Yorker, model 940. Unlike the iconic Zephyr or inexpensive Sierra, the New Yorker doesn’t give any obvious clues to its popularity but it had a long run in both Pasadena and Alhambra. Henry Fenenbock has a version of this clock in a wooden case and his, I suspect, really is rare--perhaps a prototype.



The popular New Yorker, model 940 and an unusual wooden cased version

Q: When a seller says a Lawson metal cased clock has a few spots that can be “buffed out” is this true?

A: Unfortunately, no. Lawson metal clocks have a lacquer coat and while its much tougher than the environmentally friendly lacquers in use today, if a clock has a worn or tarnished finish, that means some of the lacquer is gone. Additional lacquer can be applied but won’t fix any flaws and tends to give a cloudy look.

I have been told it is possible to strip the original lacquer without harming the finish underneath. Henry Fenenbock says he's had this done by F&H Plating in North Hollywood. This might be an alternative to totally refinishing. There are a few Lawson clocks with steel finishes where the lacquer serves as a clear coat but with brass, copper and nickel, lacquer is essential to prevent tarnishing.

Q: Does refinishing a Lawson clock reduce its value?

A: This is where I say an item is worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If the original finish is mostly intact, it would seem foolish to alter it. On the other hand, I have seen exquisitely refinished clocks that looked a lot nicer than others whose "original patina" was badly beat up. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

By the way, its also possible that some Lawson clocks were made with custom or non-standard finishes.

Q: What causes the darkening that surrounds the numbers window on the copper-bronze finished clocks?

A: I found this quite interesting. In final polishing, if the buffing wheel is larger that the surface being buffed, the finish retains an even color. However, if a narrow buffing wheel is used, the wheel spins more quickly when it passes over the opening for the numbers because there is less resistance. This higher speed darkens the finish more in that area.

Q: What does it mean when someone says the clock was recently cleaned and oiled?

A: This sounds like something one would do when servicing a watch or mechanical clock. Since we are talking about electric clocks the only thing that could be oiled would be the motor and if its working, I wouldn’t. You can try a drop or two of an ultra-light lubricant like liquefied molybdenum or graphite but be advised that after years of wear, lubricating an old motor that’s working will often just make it noisier--the worn parts have more room to rattle around. As for cleaning, see next question.

Q: Can I clean the number wheels?

A: Not always, but sometimes. The numbers on Lawson clocks are surprisingly durable! Occasionally, you will see the paint starting to blister and in that case, you’re out of luck. With the disclaimer that I am not responsible for any mishaps, try a very soft cloth and a small amount of a totally non-abrasive cleaner. I use Brillianize. Usually, its only necessary to clean the white (ivory) portions of the wheels. If you feel the need, you can try cleaning the numbers themselves but do this very gently--repainted numbers look awful.

Q: Are the parts inside a Lawson clock interchangeable?

A: Many are, and that’s why it’s generally not possible to date a clock by the internal mechanism. The earliest Lawson clocks--the ones that say “Motored By Waltham” use a mechanism that is smaller than the later clocks and some very early clock cases are too small to accept the mechanisms from later clocks. Also, some of the Motored By Waltham clocks use the diagonally offset mounting screws that are typical of most Pennwood clocks, not the side-by-side mounting screws found on all other Lawsons.

Q: What does "Model P-40" that appears on all Lawson clocks from about 1940 on, mean?

A: I'm sure there's a simple explanation but I don't know. Probably just a coincidence, but the factory relocated to Pasadena in 1940.

Q: When and where did the style of the numbers change?

A: This is imprecise but here is the sequence, with approximate dates. Remember that in most cases, these mechanisms can be swapped so they aren’t reliable indicators of the age of the clock.


Style 1a - 1934 - c.1935. "Motored By Waltham" models. Ivory wheels with copper or chrome aperture plate


Style 1b - c.1935 - c.1940. Same typeface as Style 1a but with painted ivory aperture plate


Style 1c - c.1940 - c.1942. Identical to Style 1b, but with Lawson decal applied


Style 2 - c.1940 - c.1960s. A new, "machine age" typeface - the most common style


Style 3 - c.1960s - 1970s. A simplified, post-Art Deco style


I'll end this installment with some interesting trivia. First, did you notice that in the 1940s-50s Lawson catalog, the clock numbers are set to match the model number of the clock?

Second, while photographing an early model 115, I rotated the photo 90 degrees. Some marks that had been scratched into the nameplate (which I thought were the initials W-W-N) appear to be a date, 12/33 suggesting Lawson might have been in business slightly earlier than when they appeared in the phone directory.

©2010 Randy Juster. All Rights Reserved.





Continue to Part III
Pennwood, Telechron & other Deco digital clocks