There are 2 styles in the Westclox Ben Hur Alarm Clock Style Series
Characteristics:
Round case, cast metal base.Dates made:
1926 - 1932
The Ben Hur style 1 alarm clock was the first clock with a metal base produced by Westclox. First it was made in nickel case with white plain dial or black luminous dial. In 1928, solid-color painted cases in blue, green and red were introduced, with plain or luminous dials.
When identifying a Ben Hur 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.
A trademark for BEN HUR was granted to Western Clock Co. on April 14, 1914. The registration states "The trademark has been continuously used in our business since January 6th, 1914." I am not aware of any Ben Hur models that early.
An electric clock called Ben Hur was made in Canada. It looks like the US produced "Ben Franklin" electric in black Bakelite case, but has a manual start movement.
The Westclox Tick Talk, March 1932 (Factory Edition), p. 1 - 4 says the Style 2 Ben Hur was introduced in March 1932 in plain dial only. "The new models, pictures of which appear in this issue of Tick Talk, will take the place of the old models bearing their name."
The Price Change Book from the Westclox Factory - Photocopy from Jim Whitaker, giving the key wind models, p. 4 says the plain dial model was discontinued in July 1933 and the luminous model was discontinued in September 1932. The luminous model referred to must be the Style 1 Ben Hur, as Style 2 was made in plain dial only. The book mentions closeout prices after the Feb. 5, 1932 entry and shows greatly reduced prices in the Aug. 13, 1932 entry for both plain and luminous models. There is an entry for the plain dial model for Jan. 1, 1933, but the prices are not reduced.
From the above, I (Bill Stoddard, 2-22-24) am assuming (subject to change) the following:
Manufacture of Ben Hur Style 1 ceased in March 1932, but they were sold until gone, up through September 1932.
Ben Hur Style 2 was introduced in March 1932, but could have been made before then, to prepare for the introduction. Ben Hur Style 2 was officially discontinued July 1933, but may not have been made that long. Currently, the author is aware of three examples dated 4-32 (Greg Adams and Bill Stoddard) and one example dated 6-32 (Gary Biolchini). So, it may be that just a few batches of Ben Hur Style 2 were produced, and it was a slow seller, finally running out around July 1933.
The Price Change Book says "#121 model here on", so Ben Hur Style 2 is model number 121.