horn or steering wheel clock...I need info about it?

[Guest]

I have a working, good shape clock that winds itself by motion..it supposedly was a factory option for Oldsmobile around 1950...and it was installed on the steering wheel or horn ring or whatever? can someone explain it and approximate date it for me????

don hughes

donwy@aol.com

[rocketraider]

1952. Option M2, "Self-winding Steering Wheel Mounted Car Watch" was designed to get rid of problems with electrically self-winding clocks, which typically quit after a couple years in the car once the points in them corroded a little or the works gummed up from dust.

It mounted in the bottom spoke of the horn ring which, along with Deluxe steering wheel and turn signal lever, were specific to the option. Turning the wheel would wind the clock, kinda like a self-winding wristwatch, and it would supposedly run for eight days without winding. If the steering wheel clock option was ordered, the clock nacelle on the dash was typically used to mount a compass.

It's a neat piece to have. Olds went back to dash-mounted electric clocks in 1953.