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The Seth Thomas company is closed and is no longer in operations and no parts
or specific information is available to us to share.
We do not have any parts or
information on any specific Seth Thomas clock over 5 years old.
PARTS: If you need parts for a
Seth Thomas Clock, try Timesavers.com as they have many generic
clock parts that might work for you.
VALUE: If you are trying to determine
the value of your Seth Thomas clock,
please click here.
Information and History
The
name Seth Thomas is symbolic of value and excellence of craft, and the
variety of sophisticated styles it has produced since 1813. As the
longest established clock maker in the United States (nearly 200
years), Seth Thomas is recognized as one of the most respected
brands of clocks in the world.
During its early years, Seth Thomas quickly gained an impeccable reputation
for producing the masterfully crafted grandfather clocks. Soon after, the
company was also known for designing and producing some of the country's most
renowned tower clocks, including the tower clock at Grand Central Station in New
York.
Today,
Seth Thomas's reputation continues to be well earned. Seth's blend of
quality and impressive design has made it the industry's marquee for
trend-setting style. The posh collection of clocks ranges from classic
strike and chimes to unique styles crafted in contemporary metals,
colorful resins and aged finishes. In addition to decorative mantel,
wall and table top clocks, Seth Thomas produces a wide variety of
timepieces perfectly suited for gift giving, the office and travel. It
is a name recognized and trusted by consumers of all age groups and
background.
To learn more about the
historical accomplishments and development of the Seth Thomas brand,
read below:
Seth Thomas Mantle Clock Historic Timeline
1785
Seth Thomas was born in Wolcott, CT.
1807
Seth Thomas became an apprentice to Eli Terry.
1810
Thomas worked as a carpenter for Eli Terry.
1811
Terry sold the business to Seth Thomas and partner Silas Hoadley.
1813
Seth Thomas sold his interest to Hoadley and moved to Plymouth Hollow,
CT. Seth Thomas founded The Seth Thomas Clock Company with
approximately 20 employees.
1814
The Seth Thomas Clock Company began producing box clocks taking a cue
from the increased sales of these types of clocks by Eli Terry.
1815
Thomas again follows Terry's lead and begins producing pillar and
scroll clocks with rack and snail movement.
1853
The Seth Thomas Clock Company was incorporated to ensure the company's
continuance after the death of Seth Thomas.
1859
Death of Seth Thomas, founder of The Seth Thomas Clock Company. Seth
Thomas's sons, Seth Jr., Edward, and Aaron took over the business.
Aaron acted as President.
1860
The production of Regulator clocks begins. (The No. 2 Regulator was
produced for 90 years.)
1865
The town of Plymouth was divided by an Act of Legislature. The western
portion, previously known as Plymouth Hollow, was named Thomaston in
honor of Seth Thomas in 1875.
A new separate company called, "Seth Thomas Sons & Company" was
created to manufacture lever movements using spring balances for mantel
clocks.
1869
The first perpetual calendar clock was produced by The Seth Thomas
Clock Company.
1872
The first Seth Thomas tower clock was made in Thomaston. Between 1872
and 1927, Seth Thomas was one of the major producers of tower clocks,
not only in the United States, but also worldwide.
1874
The company opened their first London office.
1875
The Seth Thomas Clock Co. was given a contract to make a centennial
tower clock for Independence Hall in Philadelphia. The work was
completed on June 24, 1875. The total cost of the clock was $ 20,000.
It's bell weighed 13,000 pounds...one thousand pounds for each of the
original 13 colonies.
1876
The Seth Thomas Clock Co. invented the first alarm clock and was
awarded a patent for its invention the same year.
1879
Seth Thomas Sons & Co. was brought back into the parent company.
1882
Aaron Thomas retires as president and William Thomas Woodruff took over.
1884
The Seth Thomas Clock Company begins the manufacture of watches.
1885
The company produced 135,000 clocks a year.
1897
The manufacture of metronomes was added to the operations at the Seth
Thomas factory and continued until 1984.
1900
The production of hall clocks began - long case clocks, glass fronts,
pendulums, & brass-cased weights. These were produced for 10 years.
1904
The company began production of tambour clocks.
1915
The production of pocket watches stopped...total production was
approximately 4 million timepieces.
1919
Seth E. Thomas Jr. (great grandson of Seth Thomas) took over as
president.
1924
A new line of banjo clocks was introduced.
1928
Seth Thomas produced the largest single-faced illuminated dial clock in
the world for the Colgate Company building in New Jersey. The dial is
50 feet in diameter with hands weighing nearly a ton each. The clock is
so large that at night it is visible from all of lower Manhattan Island
in New York City. Although the Colgate Company no longer occupies the
building, the clock is still active today. Plans for redevelopment to
the facility include a special emphasis on the clock.
1931
The Western Clock Company and The Seth Thomas Clock Company merged to
become divisions of General Time Corporation. Seth E. Thomas,
great-grandson of the original founder of The Seth Thomas Clock Company
was the first Chairman of the Board of General Time Corporation until
his death in 1932.
1932
The Seth Thomas Division expanded its commercial line with items such
as parking meters, range timers, and industrial devices. It held the
major market share in parking meter movements and range timers for a
number of years.
The company produced electric, battery or main spring movements with
plastic or bakelite cases.
1936
The name of Western Clock Division of General Time Corporation was
changed to Westclox Division, the name that had been used for many
years as a trademark on clock dials.
1938
Westclox® and Seth Thomas® contributed to America's World-War II
efforts by producing highly sophisticated items for the Army, Air
Force, and Navy. It is interesting to note that some of America's
newest aircraft carriers of that time had as many as 64 Seth Thomas®
marine clocks, while some of the giant battleships carried a complement
of 77. Seth Thomas® marine clocks were standard equipment on many types
of fighting craft from PT boats and submarines up through merchant and
naval ships of every description.
1942
The production of household clocks was suspended during this time by
General Time Corporation to devote all of its manufacturing
capabilities to the war effort. During these years, Westclox Division
was one of the nation's largest producers of fuses for the War
Department and also manufactured arming mechanisms for the Sidewinder
missiles. They were also awarded an R&D contract to work on the
2.75 rocket.
During the war, General Time Corporation continued to advertise its two
brands in major publications even though clocks were not available for
consumer purchase. Seth Thomas® ads focused on its production of marine
clocks and actually showed a cut-away of a Naval vessel with detailed
installation of Seth Thomas® clocks. Other creative advertising themes
were used, such as "Betty goes shopping with shears", urging customers
to cut out pictures of Seth Thomas® clocks to be purchased "when her
ensign comes home". During the war years (1942-1945), American
consumers were urged in Westclox® and Seth Thomas® ads to buy war bonds
to support "our boys at the front".
Due to the shortage of metals during the war years, The Westclox
Division and other domestic clock manufacturers produced a "War Alarm"
for domestic use with a corrugated cardboard case.
1955
The Seth Thomas factory was nearly destroyed by a major Connecticut
flood. Many of its manufacturing facilities were relocated to General
Time factories in Georgia, Illinois and other areas.
1959
Westclox® introduced clocks with dual "Drowse" alarm features. It was
the only one in the industry with a choice of 5 or 10-minute drowse
(snooze).
1964
The Seth Thomas Division introduced the first battery strike movement
in America.
1969
General Time Corporation was acquired by Talley Industries of Arizona.
1972
Westclox® pioneered the first Quartz movement in clocks, trademarked
"Quartzmatic™". Both the Westclox and Seth Thomas divisions produced
clocks with quartz movements. This technology provided clocks that are
highly accurate and, under normal and consistent pressure and
temperature, an accuracy of plus or minus one minute per year can be
obtained. This technology was used in the Apollo space command module.
1988
General Time Corporation, consisting of the Westclox® and Seth Thomas®
brands and the Westclox operation in Canada, was acquired from Talley
Industries by current management.
1990
General Time Corporation acquired from Talley Industries the rights to
use the name of Westclox ®, worldwide. General Time began operations in
England under the name of General Time Europe for distribution of its
products throughout the European countries.
2001
Seth Thomas, America's oldest clock company has a new beginning.
Seth Thomas, recognized by American consumers for its quality and
precision for nearly two centuries, joins hands with The Colibri Group,
a prominent name in luxury brands for over 20 years. This partnership
which combines Seth Thomas's legendary tradition with the financial
strength and technical expertise of the Colibri Group promises to take
the Seth Thomas brand to even greater heights.
The Clock Depot
3400 Westgate Dr, B11, Durham, N.C. 27707
Factory Authorized Howard Miller Distributor and Ordering and Information, Call
Toll Free at 1-866-402-8714
Store Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 - 6:00 EST, please
call for Saturday hours
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