Westclox Information

[chotii]

Hi folks, I'm new here.

I bought a Westclox 'Moonbeam' clock (bakelite, possibly) at a rummage sale today. The light blinks on and off when the alarm goes off, but it doesn't make a sound and I can't find anything inside it that indicates it's supposed to make a sound (no bells). The face is reddish brown and the font on the numbers looks Art Deco to me. The hands are glow in the dark, but some of the paint has chipped off the minute hand. The second hand is a 'sweep hand' rather than going tick-tick-tick. I cannot find anything inside it to tell me when it was manufactured.

Is such a clock supposed to have a noise for an alarm?

Where can I locate the stamped date of manufacture?

Can these bulbs still be purchased? I've never seen a similar bulb.

Very interesting clock. The plug is non-polarized.

Thank you for any replies.

[Phredog]

I think you are confused. Let me help you out a bit:

Electric, as in plug in clocks do not tick (your clocks behavior is normal). The second hand on a electric clock usually runs “smooth”. Do not confuse this with “sweep”.

The second hand typically steps forward on a battery powered, or mechanical clock.

A “sweep” second hand means the second hand is attached to the center arbor, and "sweeps" over the dial. A non-"sweep" second hand is in a sub dial.

I am pretty sure the “Moonbeam” does not have an alarm, but I could be wrong (I have never seen a “moonbeam” up close). The dial light may be blinking because it is about to fail. Most dial lights from that eara are neon. They tend to blink before they fail.

Many electric clocks have a “vibrator” buzzer instead of a bell.

Let us see some photographs.

[unDark]

You can read more about the Moonbeam clock here:
http://www.vintagewestclox.com/images/gallery/moonbeam_white_w_brown_dial.html#

Your alarm part of your clock is made to first blink and shortly after, it will start buzzing.

Look for a date stamped on the motor or the movement.

[Phredog]

Oh, sorry I did not realize that it blinks before it alarms.

[henrymckenzie]

Add a little fun to the bedroom with this retro Moonbeam alarm clock from Big Ben. Modeled after the popular 1950’s "Considerate Alarm," the electric clock aims to wake sleepers gradually with a blinking light. The light grows brighter over a 4-minute period before a bell-style alarm rings to rouse heavier sleepers. The clock also comes equipped with a snooze function. To illuminate the clock, a 25-watt replaceable light bulb is included. Styled after Big Ben, this analog clock sports brown Arabic numerals and gold clock hands. The dial illuminates in the dark for easy reading. A 58-inch cord allows flexibility in placement. The clock also features a battery back up in the event of a power outage--requiring the separate purchase of two AA batteries.