I bought one a few weeks ago in excellent condition, but I saw another recently that needed some work. With the pandemic and fires raging, I had time on my hands. The movement just needed a little oil, the Bakelite base would present more of a challenge. Matching the finish and color of 80 year old Bakelite proved difficult. I used epoxy resin, blended in some coloring, and polished and finished with an electric hand drill using sand paper discs of varying grit with a touch of Brasso. Now, just need to apply a satin varnish coat to the repaired area which should darken color and match finish.

Westclox Celestial Clock Paperweight circa 1936 - 1938

As purchased:

After Repair Pre- Varnish

 

I've always wondered about those. Same movement as a Baby Ben?

I've gotten some of my clocks running but not by taking them apart, just cleaning them off as they are and reoiling.

 

It's a fairly simple and hardy movement, I don't believe it is exactly the same as a Baby Ben, but I'm sure it is similar in design... no alarm.
A number of Westclox clocks, and I am no expert, I believe you can't even disassemble. It keeps good time, but power reserve is less then 24 hours and movement case is less then 3 inches in diameter.

 

The bulk of mine are the older ones, some Style 2, a bunch of Style 5 and Style 6, a handful of others, including Waralarm. Fortunately for me, the mainsprings go in and out without a tool, so cleaning those off and reoiling them is pretty easy.

 

I do have one of those pedestal clocks... has a movement with aluminim plates that doesn't come apart... and it's crap because the holes are well worn.

 

Varnished applied... borrowed some of my wife’s clear nail polish...

 

Very nice work, and thanks for the details.

 

Thank you. Bakelite is notoriously difficult to repair especially if there is a chunk missing from a conspicuous part. Most just repaint after the repair is done, but, paint doesn't always stick to bakelite. From a foot away, I can't tell if there is a repair, but my OCD may get the better of me and I may continue to work on the base till when I use a 10x loupe.... it looks clean, well, maybe not.

 

Part of the difficulty is nothing looks like pressure-molded phenolic.

 

Not to mention the toxicity. Note to self... wear an N95 mask. I did.