Watts developed a rapid nickel-plating bath. ![]() Several patents were subsequently granted for various bath improvements. In 1878 Weston obtained a patent for the addition of boric acid to nickel plating solutions to control the acidity or pH, and therefore the quality of the finish. One of the first United States patents was actually granted to Adams in 1869 for using a solution of nickel ammonium chloride. In 1842, Böttger (Frankfort, Germany) actually succeeded in depositing nickel from a solution of nickel ammonium sulfate. The earliest recorded report of nickel plating was with the US Patent office, as Joseph Shore applied for a patent for nickel plating in 1840. Also, a very thin nickel plate is commonly used as an undercoat or “strike coat” under gold and brass plating because it acts to improve corrosion resistance and appearance, and keeps the base metal from migrating through to the gold or brass and reacting with it. We are not aware of any chrome-plated clock cases except perhaps some that were used in early automotive dashboards. The chrome “overcoat” adds slight blue cast and durability most commonly needed in automotive applications. In fact, in decorative applications, nickel plating is always used underneath chrome plating, and it is the nickel that gives chrome most of its color, look, and corrosion properties. Therefore, it has long been desirable to apply the nickel to other base metals (such as iron, copper, steel, brass, etc.) which do not have the corrosion resistance of nickel, thereby gaining the benefits of nickel to the surface of the finished material while maintaining low cost. While not a rare material, it is produced in low quantity. Nickel has a highly superior chemical corrosion resistance and mechanical resilience when compared to other metals. Some of the early Style 1 Westclox front bezels were formed steel, which is often pitted and rusted to unsightly levels after years in service.Īpplication and History of Nickel Plating. ![]() However, owners of antique Ingraham, Sessions, New Haven, and Seth Thomas alarm clocks are not quite so lucky. Interestingly, Westclox Style 1 and 1a brass bezels seem to be relatively free from this defect. We’ll often see small cracks forming and propagating through the bezels of these old clocks that are extremely difficult to repair. Unfortunately, a combination of the alloy used as well as the forming process itself often left stresses in the brass material, resulting in cracking as the clocks aged. The front bezels on many of the early American alarms were thin brass. New Haven, Waterbury, Ingraham, and others also marketed this as a feature. Nearly all the popular Westclox models including Big Ben, Baby Ben, Bingo, and DeLuxe used a nickel-plated steel rear bell cover. Using the rear case as a bell for the clock became a significant marketing point for several manufacturers, most notably Westclox, but not limited to them. They began limiting nickel use to keys, setters, and small nickel accent bands around bases and bezels. Manufacturers found more cost-effective and environmentally friendly ways to finish their clocks, reverting to enamel finishes. Nickel-plated models were very popular in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, but seemed to slowly fade in the 1930’s and beyond. Everyone recognizes the infamous seamed “tin can” nickel-plated alarm clock manufactured by Westclox (eg, Westclox America, Sleepmeter) among others with a single bell on top. Westclox, Ingraham, and Sessions manufactured by far the most longstanding and popular nickel- plated alarm clocks. ![]() Others offered a mix of metal and wood models, many of which can still be found today in antique stores and on Ebay. Some, like Sessions, moved away from spring wound clocks in the post WWII era and focused on wood and plastic electric models. In the US, nearly every clock manufacturer (Sessions, Ingraham, New Haven, Ansonia, Waterbury, Westclox, etc.) offered metal alarm clocks between the late 1800’s as long as they remained in business. Overview of Plated Antique Alarm Clock Cases. Overview of Plated Antique Alarm Clock Metal Cases The Early ProcessesAntique Metal Clock Cases: Should you restore the plating?Restoration Services: Replicating the Original Finish Photo Gallery of Process StepsConclusions ![]() In this White Paper we will consider several of the issues surrounding the restoration of metal antique alarm clock cases.
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