Starting in 1932, Telechron and G.E. clocks began giving initial model numbers to their clocks to match their function.
1 Series - commercial clocks
5 Series - mantel clocks
2 Series - kitchen clocks
6 Series - strike clocks (hour and half hour--no chimes)
3 Series - small desk clocks
7 Series - alarm clocks
4 Series - occasional clocks
8 Series - novelty clocks, timers and radios
The model number also included what type of rotor powered the clock. (ie. the 3F03 was a small desk clock with an F rotor.) Mechanically, the Telechon F rotor was just the tail end of a B rotor minus the final 36-tooth gear. The result was a much thinner rotor that allowed for considerably smaller clocks. The rotor was housed in a thick, cast case and because the second hand was now mounted to a shaft instead of the rotor, you could change it without taking the clock apart. In fact all the F rotor clocks were redesigned to be easier to build and contained far fewer parts than earlier clocks.
The G.E. and Telechron models diverge at this point. While in the past, most designs were sold by both companies (with or without a different model number), G.E. now sold unique clocks but using the same numbering scheme. Odd-numbered models were Telechrons. Evens, General Electric.
The company introduced more, strikingly different
models during this time than before or after. They spent huge amounts
on magazine and newspaper ads and brochures. They had a lot to brag
about. The art deco designs or the pre-War period are still the most
collected and prized of all. I'm just going to shut up now and let
the clocks speak for themselves.
1 SERIES | 1A108 | 1B115 | 1B515 | 1F108 | 1F112 | 1F312 | 1L312 | 1L515 | |
2 SERIES | 2B01 | 2B02 | 2F01 | 2F03 | CH203 | CF205 | 2H07 | 2H51 | |
2 SERIES | 2F81 | ||||||||
3 SERIES | 3A01 | 3F01 | 3F03 | 3A05 | 3A51 | CF351 | 3F51 | 3F53 | |
3 SERIES | 3F55 | 3F59 | 3F61 | CF363 | 3F65 | 3F67 | 3F69 | 3F71 | |
3 SERIES | 3H73 | CH373 | |||||||
4 SERIES | 4A01 | CF401 | 4F01 | 4F03 | 4A05 | 4F05 | 4F51 | 4A51 | |
4 SERIES | CF451 | 4F53 | 4F55 | 4F57 | 4F59 | 4F61 | 4F63 | 4F65 | |
4 SERIES | 4F67 | 4F69 | 4F71 | 4F73 | 4F75 | 4H77 | 4B79 | 4H81 | |
4 SERIES | 4H83 | 4B85 | |||||||
5 SERIES | 5A01 | 5F01 | 5F03 | 5F51 | 5B53 | 5B55 | |||
6 SERIES | 6B01 | 6B03 | 6B05 | 6B07 | 6B09 | ||||
7 SERIES | 7B01 | 7B02 | 7F01 | 7F03 | CF705 | 7F53 | 7F55 | 7F57 | |
7 SERIES | 7F59 | 7F61 | 7F63 | 7F65 | 7F67 | CF769 | 7F71 | 7F72 | 7F73 |
7 SERIES | 7F74 | 7F75 | 7F77 | 7H77 | 7H79 | CH783 | 7H85 | 7H87 | |
8 SERIES | 8B01 | 8F01 | 8B03 | 8F03 | 8B05 | 8B07 | 8B09 | 8B11 | |
8 SERIES | 8B50 | 8B51 | 8F51 | 8B53 |