Active clock manufacturers in Canada during the 1950s decade
In the mid-20th century, Canada was home to a thriving clock industry, with numerous companies producing a wide variety of timepieces. Here's a snapshot of some of the key players and their contributions to this fascinating era.
Breslin Industries of Toronto, known for their lamps and novelties, dabbled in clock production as a sideline. Their clocks, featuring horses as a typical 1950s theme, used the same Ingraham type wind-up movements as Snider.
The Pequegnat Clock Company, based in Toronto, was a significant player in the Canadian clock industry. Founded by Arthur Pequegnat, the company manufactured both movements and cases, and their Maple Leaf series of kitchen clocks are still highly regarded today.
Westclox Canada, located in Peterborough, Ontario, started making alarm clocks in 1920 and became well-known for its Big Ben and Baby Ben windup and electric alarm clocks made between 1920 and the early 1980s in Canada.
Forestville Clock Company, set up in Toronto in 1928, sourced movements from England, France, and Germany. They were in operation until the late 1970s.
The Pequegnat story is a significant part of the history of Canadian clock-making, and the Canadian Clock Museum, located at 60 James Street, Deep River, Ontario, is a testament to this rich heritage. The museum, operated by curator Allan Symons, houses a vast collection of clocks from various Canadian manufacturers.
Walter Clocks of Toronto produced mantel clocks from the mid to the late 1930s before WWII, and after WWII from the late 1940s through to the late 1950s. Their prewar models had walnut veneer cases and hinged back doors, while postwar models had stained birch wood cases with a unique removable round door on the back.
Canadian Neon-Ray Clock Company produced "Bulb Illuminated" advertising clocks in Montreal from about 1942 to the mid-1960s. These clocks were commonly used by companies to advertise their products such as soft drinks, beer, and paints.
Ingraham Canadian Clock Company, based in Toronto, made wall and alarm models for the Canadian market from the late 1940s until at least 1980. Representative examples of their clocks include alarm, kitchen, and starburst wall clocks.
Seth Thomas Clocks, founded in the early 1800s in Plymouth, Connecticut, produced mantel, alarm, and wall clocks for the Canadian market in the Westclox factory from 1931 to the mid-1980s.
Canadian General Electric produced electric alarm, table, and kitchen wall clocks for the Canadian market from the 1930s into at least the 1950s.
New Haven Clock Company, based in Brantford, Ontario, made some mantel and wall clocks with Canadian wood cases but imported spring-driven pendulum movements from the US factory.
In the 1940s, ten active clock companies were operating in Canada, primarily in and around Toronto. However, the statuses of these companies in the 1950s and 1960s are not well-documented. Companies from this era have either ceased operations, merged with other companies, or transitioned into different sectors due to various factors, including global competition and technological advancements.
Despite this, the legacy of these companies lives on, and subscribing to the newsletter will provide updates on the latest posts about antique and vintage clocks.
- Vintage clocks produced by Breslin Industries, featuring horses as a common theme, were a sideline for the company, which was already renowned for lamps and novelties during the mid-20th century in Canada.
- Mantel clocks were manufactured by Walter Clocks, with postwar models featuring stained birch wood cases and a unique round door on the back from the late 1940s to the late 1950s.
- The Canadian market saw a surge in wearables, gadgets, and technology during the mid-20th century, as companies like Ingraham and General Electric began producing electric alarm, table, and kitchen wall clocks.
