Active Clock Manufacturers in Canada During the 1950s Decade
In the mid-20th century, Canada was home to a thriving clock industry, with several notable companies producing quality timepieces. One of these, the Pequegnat Clock Company, is still respected as a symbol of quality craftsmanship.
Based in Ontario, the Pequegnat Clock Company manufactured both movements and cases for clocks, making it a significant player in the industry. Founded by Arthur Pequegnat in 1904, the company operated until 1941.
The Pequegnat Clock Company is recognised as one of Canada's premier clock companies, but it's not alone. Other iconic Canadian clockmakers from the same period include Breslin Industries, Ingraham Canadian Clock Company, Westclox Canada, Seth Thomas Clocks, New Haven Clock Company, Forestville Clock Company, Canadian Neon-Ray Clock Company, Canadian General Electric, Snider Clock Manufacturing Company Limited, and Walter Clocks.
Most of these companies were active primarily from the 1940s to the 1970s, but a search for their current status reveals that they either shut down, were acquired, or exited the market well before today. The Canadian General Electric, for instance, was a division related to broader electrical manufacturing, with clock manufacturing likely a small part of a larger corporate entity that transitioned or discontinued decades ago.
The decline of traditional mechanical clock manufacturing in North America can be attributed to quartz technology and globalization. Many historic clock companies, including firms like Seth Thomas and New Haven Clock Company, which had Canadian operations or presence, were absorbed or went out of business long ago.
For a small or mid-sized Canadian clock company from that era to survive today independently would be unlikely without significant niche specialization, technological adaptation, or integration into larger diversified enterprises. The traditional clockmaking business in North America mostly shifted overseas or evolved into luxury or artisanal markets.
One place where the legacy of these companies lives on is the Canadian Clock Museum, located at 60 James Street, Deep River, Ontario. The museum, operated by curator Allan Symons, houses a collection of clocks from various Canadian manufacturers, including Pequegnat, Breslin, Ingraham, Westclox, and many others.
Visiting a clock museum like the Canadian Clock Museum is a great way to appreciate the craftsmanship and history of these iconic Canadian companies. It's a chance to see timepieces that once ticked away in homes and offices across the country, reminding us of a bygone era when clockmaking was a thriving industry in Canada.
In the 1940s, ten active clock companies were operating in Canada, primarily in and around Toronto. Among them were Walter Clocks, known for their mantel clocks with walnut veneer cases and hinged back doors, and Canadian Neon-Ray Clock Company, which manufactured "Bulb Illuminated" advertising clocks.
Forestville Clock Company sourced movements from England, France, and Germany, while Snider Clock Manufacturing Company Limited was known for its unique clock designs. Ingraham Canadian Clock Company made wall and alarm clocks for the Canadian market from the late 1940s until at least 1980.
Westclox Canada, located in Peterborough, Ontario, produced Big Ben and Baby Ben windup and electric alarm clocks from 1920 to the early 1980s. Seth Thomas Clocks, also based in Peterborough, produced mantel, alarm, and wall clocks for the Canadian market from 1931 to the mid-1980s.
Breslin Industries of Toronto produced clocks with horses as the typical 1950s theme and used the same wind-up movements as Snider. These companies, along with the others mentioned, played a significant role in the Canadian clock industry during its heyday.
In conclusion, while these Canadian clock companies active from the 1940s to 1970s mostly do not exist today as independent manufacturers, their legacy lives on in the form of vintage clocks and museums like the Canadian Clock Museum. The traditional clockmaking business in North America has mostly shifted overseas or evolved into luxury or artisanal markets, but the memory of these iconic companies remains an important part of Canada's industrial history.
- Despite many iconic Canadian clockmakers from the mid-20th century closing down, acquiring, or exiting the market, some clocks from these companies continue to be treasured by clock enthusiasts worldwide.
- In the era of smart-home devices and gadgets, the technological advancements replaced mechanical clock manufacturing, but vintage clocks from companies like Pequegnat, Breslin, and Ingraham still stand as testament to the Canadian clock industry's golden age.
- While it is unlikely for a small or mid-sized Canadian clock company from that era to survive independently today, the Canadian Clock Museum in Deep River, Ontario, serves as a living repository of the legacy and history of these iconic Canadian clockmakers.
