A cabin clock was a feature of many classic-MG dashboards, fitted as standard on certain higher-specification models (the MGC GT, the MGB GT, certain MGA specifications) and offered as an optional extra on others. The original Smiths and Jaeger clocks fitted during production were typically electric clocks driven by the car's electrical system, with the clock mechanism powered by a small electric motor that drove the hands at the appropriate rate. Many original clocks have stopped working after several decades of service, and the Clocks section gathers the appropriate replacement units for owners renewing or fitting a clock to their classic MG.
Smiths Electric Clocks
Smiths was the principal supplier of cabin clocks to BMC during the classic-MG production years. The Smiths clocks used a small electric motor inside a moulded housing, with the dial face visible through a chromed or moulded bezel matching the appearance of the matched dashboard instruments. The electrical specification is 12-volt for the bulk of classic-MG applications, with the appropriate connection through the ignition switch (so the clock runs only when the car is in use) or directly from the battery (so the clock continues to run when the ignition is off, more accurate timekeeping at the expense of slight residual battery drain). The dial design is matched to the corresponding speedometer and tachometer instruments.
The headline MGOC stock options are the Smiths Magnolia-faced clock, the cream Magnolia dial used on many original chrome-bumper installations, and a 52mm-diameter dual-polarity clock with a black face, chrome bezel and internal illumination, suiting rubber-bumper applications and modernised cars where either positive or negative earth wiring can be accommodated.
Jaeger Clocks
Jaeger was the alternative principal supplier, particularly used on certain BMC applications including some MGA and Midget specifications. The Jaeger clocks use a similar electric-motor mechanism but with a slightly different dial design and bezel pattern reflecting the Jaeger styling conventions. The visual appearance is subtly different from the Smiths equivalent, a Jaeger clock has its own distinctive character that suits cars where the original-equipment installation used a Jaeger rather than a Smiths instrument.
For owners restoring cars to original specification, the matched supplier (Smiths or Jaeger) is the appropriate choice based on the original-equipment specification of the specific car.
Application and Installation
Cabin clocks are stocked in the patterns appropriate to classic-MG dashboard installations, typically matched to the existing speedometer and tachometer instruments to maintain a visually-consistent dashboard appearance. The clock fits into a circular mounting hole in the dashboard (or in a specific instrument-binnacle housing depending on the application), with the appropriate retaining hardware to secure it in position. Electrical connection is a single power feed and an earth, the simple electrical specification means the clock can be wired in a few minutes during interior installation work. Setting the time on installation typically involves manually turning the central setting knob until the hands show the correct time, with the clock then running at the correct rate from that point.
The technical team is available to advise on the right clock specification for a specific car and original dashboard configuration.