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Westclox Big Ben Alarm Clock Style Series

The Big Ben alarm clock was first sold in 1909 and has evolved through many case style and movement changes. There were 10 "mainstream" case styles of Big Bens, and additional case styles that have names instead of numbers.

Plug-in electric Big Bens were made in styles 5, 7, and 8. There are several other case styles of electric Big Ben.

When identifying a Big Ben style, observe the case shape and ignore the case and dial color, as some styles were made in various case and dial colors, as shown in the detail page for each style.

There are 19 styles in the Westclox Big Ben Alarm Clock Style Series

Westclox Big Ben Style 1 Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Style 1

Characteristics:

Ring on top, two front legs, three screws through the front of the bezel.

Dates made:

1908 - 1918

Westclox Big Ben Style 1a Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Style 1a

Characteristics:

Ring on top, two legs in front, no screws through the front of the bezel.

Dates made:

1918 - 1935 (and a reproduction was made in 1970)

Westclox Big Ben Style 2 Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Style 2

Characteristics:

Thin edge around base, has steady-repeat and alarm-silent levers on top of case.

Dates made:

1927 - 1932

Westclox Big Ben Style 3 Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Style 3

Characteristics:

Concave curves on base (curves on front, rear and the sides).

Dates made:

1931 - 1934

Westclox Big Ben Style 4 Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Style 4

Characteristics:

The base has two convex curves (one on each side).

Dates made:

1934 - 1939

Westclox Big Ben Style 5 Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Style 5

Characteristics:

Streamlined round case, rectangular base with polished brass or nickel plated inlaid plate. Looks like a Honeywell "round" thermostat mounted on a base. Numeral "12" partially cut away to make room for the alarm dial (on the windups, but not the electrics).

Dates made:

1939 - 1949

Westclox Big Ben Style 6 Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Style 6

Characteristics:

Smaller base than style 5, without the polished metal plate. Small alarm hand at "12" with full numeral 12 showing.

Dates made:

1949 - 1956

Westclox Big Ben Style 7 Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Style 7

Characteristics:

Concentric alarm hand, plastic lens.

Dates made:

1956 - 1964

Westclox Big Ben Clock of Tomorrow Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Clock of Tomorrow

Characteristics:

Large plastic lens, alarm on-off control on top of case, says "Clock of Tomorrow" on the dial.

Dates made:

1955 - 1959

Westclox Big Ben Style 8 Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Style 8

Characteristics:

Oval metal bezel.

Dates made:

1964 - 1981

Westclox Big Ben Style 9 Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Style 9

Characteristics:

"Squared" oval plastic bezel

Dates made:

1979 - 2000

Westclox Big Ben Style 10 Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Style 10

Characteristics:

Made in China, sweep second hand, top alarm shutoff, rotating alarm dial visible below the numeral "12".

Dates made:

Starting in 2001

Westclox Big Ben 1931 Bakelite Electric Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben 1931 Bakelite Electric

Characteristics:

Black Bakelite® case, nickel ball feet

Dates made:

1931 - 1934

Westclox Big Ben 1931 Wood Case Electric Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben 1931 Wood Case Electric

Characteristics:

Metal dial, mahogany case with light color wood strip inlay around front.

Dates made:

1931 - 1935

Westclox Big Ben 1948 Electric Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben 1948 Electric

Characteristics:

Brown rectangular Bakelite® case.

Dates made:

1948 - 1952

Westclox Big Ben Solid State Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Solid State

Characteristics:

Rectangular plastic case, digital display.

Dates made:

1974 - 1978

Westclox Big Ben Plastic Pedestal Base Electric Clock Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Plastic Pedestal Base Electric Clock

Characteristics:

Plastic case with rectangular rounded-corner plastic pedestal base, plastic lens is flush with front of case. Analog or LED display.

Dates made:

1976 - 1980+

Westclox Big Ben Sculptura Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Sculptura

Characteristics:

Looks like style 8 on a pedestal. Oval clock on tall pedestal with round base.

Dates made:

1975 - 1979

Westclox Big Ben Futura Alarm Clock

Westclox Big Ben Futura

Characteristics:

Spherical plastic case with flat bottom

Dates made:

1973 - 1981

References