Nerding out about watches at the bank?
So a little context. I was at my local bank today to get something out of my safety deposit box. The main vault door is left ajar, but there is another door that remains shut behind the main one. Anyway, I get finished with my business, but the teller that let me in is helping another customer. Bored, I start looking at my surroundings and I notice something that looks awfully familiar 🤨.
Three of these small modules were on the interior of the main vault door. The main white circle caught my eye immediately as it looks a lot like the dial of a watch. Looking slightly up from that reveals this.
Some familar parts! A balance and an escape wheel, both set with rubies just like a watch! I felt really sketchy inspecting this up close, but I was just enjoying looking at it and knowing instantly what the components were! This is probably insanely old info that everyone knew, but I really never thought about it or cared until it caught my eye today!
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Very cool!
That is very interesting. I never would have guessed something like this would be in use outside of a watch.
I'll have to look up TMI ST13 later, but presumably this has something to do with a time lock that isn't reliant on electrical power?
I'll have to look up TMI ST13 later, but presumably this has something to do with a time lock that isn't reliant on electrical power?
That was pretty much my assumption as well. Kind of begs some questions. Is there a mainspring wound for the device all the time? Do these have to be verified for accuracy at certain intervals? I can't imagine they see use every single day but I have no idea in the world.
I just came across your post as I was looking for a replacement time clock for a customer.
I am a banking tech and work on this stuff everyday.
What you are looking at is indeed a time clock.
All vaults have three of them. At night when the bank closes they winde all three of them up to what ever the hours the bank will be closed.
When they are wound there is no way to get the vault open till at least one of them winds down and releases the latch.
That is the reason there are three of them incase one or two fail.
I actually just pulled one out today that has been installed since 1998.
I have seen some dating back to the 40's and still working.
Most are repairable.
I am actually holding in my hand the same clock you posted.
I'm happy to answer any questions you might have.