501 "Gothic Mantel Telechron"

SIZE:— 11 3/8 inches high, 8 1/2 inches wide, 5 1/2 inches deep.
DIAL:— Etched Silver, 5 inches in diameter.
CASE:— Mahogany inlaid.
MOVEMENT:— Warren Synchronous Electric.

Collecting Telechrons can be confusing!  I have both clocks above labeled as 501s.   501 with auxiliary movement up there on the right.
 
back to the Early Yearsto the 502 Doric Mantel Telechron
 
501 ad from 1925

 Telechron Refinishing tip #43:  'What the hey?!!?!'   One night (probably long past your bedtime, if you're like me),  you're bound to come across a clock you can't figure.  One whose second hand moves but those other two just sit there or won't keep time.  You may even go as far to time the second hand and find it making a cool 1 RPM.  What's happening?  You probably noticed when you had it apart, the minute cannon is really two gears riveted together.  This is known as the clock's clutch. One set of teeth will mesh with the time set knob. When setting the time, you're trying to turn that wheel alot quicker that 1/60th RPM.  You overcome the embrace in which the two wheels are locked and the hands fly around like crazy.  If you've cleaned and oiled that gear too well, there's no friction there at all and the hands will just loaf around letting the second hand do all the work.  Some minute wheels need a little oil.  (You'll know it because setting the time is hard and the minute hand jerks around the dial five minutes at a time.)  Some just need to be cleaned and left alone.  Remember, the only time there's any friction between the two halves of the minute cannon is when you actually set the time.  After that, they should stay put.  I've only ecountered this problem with wall clocks but there's no reason it shouldn't happen with any Telechron or GE model. Happy repairing!