Here we have a circa 1930 RAF Officers Mess clock, which was made for the Royal Air Force by FW Elliott. The Oak case is of a minimal utilitarian design. It has a silver dial with roman numerals with the engraved cypher of the RAF, with a laurel wreath, under the crown of George VI. The hands are thermally blued and are of a classic Spade & Whip style.
The dial is protected by the original convex glass which has a bevelled edge, with the brass bezel. The hinged front is unlocked with a brass push button to the left-hand side.
The rear has a square hinged door, with lock and the original key.
It has a single Fusee eight-day movement with the original pendulum. It has the original locking screw, which holds the pendulum in place whilst the clock is in transit. It is marked as being manufactured in 1930, with the serial number 11596 to the movement.
The pediment case is typical of these officers Mess or Sergeants Mess clocks made for use on RAF bases. They were not restricted to dining halls but would have been in most rooms as reliable timekeepers.
It is an uncommon example, being from 1930, the earliest stamped year of RAF clocks.
The dial is marked to the dial ‘661 No1.S.D.K. 30.4.31.’ This may have been in relation to the airbase at which the clock was used.
The clock has an unknown service history but is keeping very reliable time to within a 30 second variation a week.
The clocks are understated, but they have an imposing stature. Such clocks were a familiar friend for those British airmen that defended the skies of Britain during WW2.
FW Elliott & Sons:
FW Elliott & Sons history dates to 1865 when Frank Westcombe Elliotts father, James Jones Elliott was apprenticed to the London clockmaker, Bateman of St. John Street, London.
He began as a maker of clock parts, before inventing a weight driven tubular chime clock which gained him loyal customers in the American market in the late 1800s. In 1904 he passed, with JJ Elliott taking over the business. The business partnered with Grimshaw Baxter and Gillett and Johnston in the first quarter of the 1900s, before returning to sole family control in 1923. This also marked the introduction of Elliott’s sons Leonard and Horace joining, with Ronald in 1929. This growth saw the business exhibit at the British Industries Fair in 1929.
At the start of the 2nd World War the company began to produce clocks for the Military. They also manufactured parts for Rolls Royce engines used in RAF planes. Their factories were twice hit by incendiary bombs in 1943, but production was not seriously affected.
Frank Elliott passed in 1944, before the war ended, but his sons successfully maintained the company. They continued to produce fine clocks until the latter part of the 20th century. Horace Elliott later became the Chairman of the British Horological Institute.
Full condition report below. Please see the images as these compliment and aid the description provided below.
Wooden case:
The wooden case is in good overall condition. The front and rear close tightly and lock as they should. There are no chips or damage to the corners of the wood. There is some ageing to the top of the clock where it has slight cracking from shrinkage.
Dial:
The dial is original and is in good condition. The original signing and markers are good and clear.
Hands:
The hands are original and are thermally blued. They have darkened with age and have corrosion spots associated with ageing.
Movement:
The service history is unknown, but the movement would appear well maintained. It is functioning well and keeping time to within 30 seconds variation every 8 days.
Case dimensions:
Height: 35.5cm
Base Width: 22cm
Centre width: 19.5cm
Depth: 13.5cm
Depth from front of glass to rear: 14.25cm