My Wind Up Dancing Ballerina Clock

by Sandy
(Las Vegas, NV)

Not being a clock collector, I do have more than just a few older clocks, and watches too. Some work, and some have long ago had their last tick, and have no monetary value that I know of. I simply can't bring myself to discard them. Todays clocks and watches are more high tech, and of course I own a few of those too, and love the fact that they are so accurate. Still, I love the aged clocks. For some reason, the wind up clocks & watches fascinate me with the intricate little wheels moving around inside, and the ticking sound they make gives me a feeling of comfort, sort of like coming home after being gone for a long time.

The Waltham clock that I have taken this picture of to share with you, came into my possession sometime around 1969 or 1970. I'm not exactly sure of the year. Since I've always been a collector of old things, I have always haunted thrift shops, junk yards etc., just looking for things that I find to be of interest. Due to my enthusiasm, my two sons were always excited to go with me to search through the junk looking for a jewel, and they both still carry on this hobby almost 40 years later. We found a thrift shop in Long Beach, California that had what we called "the junk yard," just outside, where they stored and sold the things they didn't want to repair, and this was one of our favorite places to browse through.

There was an old oak bedroom set there on that day, that was in dire need of repair, and I was looking at it because of the oak wood, trying to decide whether to purchase and restore it. When I opened the drawer to one of the night tables, this clock was inside the drawer. It looked in pretty sad shape, with dirt and finger marks, and the little ballerina was not standing up. Having decided against the bedroom set, I took the clock to the lady at the cash register to ask the cost, and she said I could have it for five cents!

After getting the clock home, and removing all the dirt and greasy finger marks, I wound it, and it worked. After taking the clock apart to replace the Ballerina doll onto the stand inside the "stage" I proceeded to wind the musical key, and discovered that it also worked, and it plays the song "Oh what a beautiful morning." We were all thrilled with our beautiful little clock! This little clock has kept perfect time, until about two weeks ago when it stopped ticking. The music still plays, and the little Ballerina doll that you see in the built in stage "dances" round & round to the music. I would doubt that this clock has any monetary value, but I will have it repaired, and will keep it for myself. It was a fun find!