Clock malfunction: Damage to the mainspring of the Fleet Time mantel clock
In the heart of Montreal, Canada, the Fleet Time Company was a bustling clock-making operation between 1936 and 1940. This local company, unlike some of its contemporaries, did not source its wooden cases from Canada and Germany, but rather assembled them within its own borders with both local and foreign-made cases.
The Fleet Time Company specialised in producing nondescript mantel clocks, which were spring-driven and featured pendulums, giving them a distinctive bim-bam sound when the clock struck. These clocks, popularly known as shelf or kitchen clocks, were manufactured before the Second World War.
Interestingly, the company did not source its movements from France and Germany during the war years and beyond. This decision could be attributed to several factors.
Firstly, the economic and political climate during World War II was volatile. Both France and Germany were key battlegrounds for the Allies and the Axis powers, respectively. The war disrupted trade and commerce across Europe, making it challenging for companies to maintain international supply chains.
Secondly, many countries, including the United States, imposed trade embargoes on enemy nations and their allies. This meant that sourcing goods from Germany would have been illegal for most companies, including U.S.-based ones. Additionally, sourcing from occupied France might have been difficult due to the wartime disruption of supply chains.
Thirdly, the U.S. military and government prioritized domestic production and supply chain security during this period. This focus on domestic sourcing would have influenced companies to reduce reliance on international supplies, especially from areas directly affected by the conflict.
Lastly, the war created logistical challenges, including transportation disruptions and port closures, which would have made sourcing from countries in the war zone extremely difficult.
The Fleet Time Company, however, was not the only Canadian clock manufacturer. The Forestville Clock Company of Canada was another homegrown company that produced clocks during the same period.
Intriguingly, the Blackforest Clock Company, which is often associated with clocks from the Black Forest region of Germany, was actually a Canadian company founded by Leopold and Sara Stossel in 1928 in Toronto, Ontario. Both clock movements and complete clocks were imported from Germany and sold through department stores by the Blackforest Clock Company.
Despite the historical context, the specific reasons behind the Fleet Time Company's decision to avoid sourcing movements from France and Germany during the war years and beyond remain unclear. However, understanding the economic, political, and logistical challenges of the time provides valuable insights into the company's operations during this period.
The Fleet Time Company, when faced with the war-torn economic and political climate of World War II, chose not to source its clock movements from France and Germany, opting instead for local or alternative sources. As compared to other gadgets of the time, their vintage mantel clocks, characteristically spring-driven and featuring pendulums, were uniquely assembled with movements that showcased their resilience within the technology sector.
