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Waltham A-13A
Aircraft Clock & Timer (1960-today)
© 2013 KenRockwell.com. All rights reserved.
Intro Specs Performance Usage Recommendations More
Waltham A-13A-2. 8.775 oz./248.75g, about $200 used if you know How to Win at eBay (I paid only $165 for this one), or about $2,300 new. I'd get it at this link directly to them at eBay as I did.
September 2013 watch & clock reviews all reviews
This free website's biggest source of support is when you use those or any of these links when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live — but I receive nothing for my efforts if you buy elsewhere. I'm not NPR; I get no government hand-outs and run no pledge drives to support my research, so please always use any of these links for the best prices and service whenever you get anything. Thanks for helping me help you! Ken.
Rear, Waltham A-13A-2.
Waltham A-13A-2.
Introduction top
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The Waltham A-13A aircraft clock and stopwatch has been manufactured continuously since about 1960. It's a small mechanical clock which runs for 8 days on a single winding. It's 2.375" square with a 1.825" dial. The bottom knob winds and sets the clock, and the top button starts, stops and resets the stopwatch.
It is designed to be used at arm's length on an instrument panel, and is so legible that the time can be seen at a glance from across a room.
These have flown on just about every US military aircraft made since the 1960s. They are used less today, and are still made brand new for new aircraft.
It has four hands that run on the same coaxial shafts.
The two fat hands are the clock's hour and minute.
The two thin hands are the stopwatch's minute and seconds. When reset, they both point to 60 as shown above.
Waltham A-13A-2 timer function stopped at 0 minutes, 2.8 seconds. Time of day is 3:40.
The 0-60 marking and indices are raised to eliminate parallax error.
Versions
The A-13A-1 (part number 400201) has fluorescent luminescent hands and makings. It doesn't glow in the dark, but lights up when lit by ultraviolet light.
The A-13A-2 (part number 400202 seen here) has plain white hands and markings.
There are more versions with different kinds of internal lighting.
Manufacturers
The government put out MIL-C-6499 and let anyone bid for contracts to make these clocks.
Several makers have made these, and the bulk have been and are made by Waltham.
Waltham Precision made them in Waltham, Massachusetts from 1960 until 1994, and then sold the name and rights to make them to a former service depot in Alabama, now named "Waltham Aircraft Clock Corporation," who makes and services them to this day.
Specifications top
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See MIL-C-6499 for all the specifications, performance requirements and how they are to be tested.
Anti-reflection coated glass.
It must have at least 15 jewels. Most Waltham models have 20 to 22 jewels.
It should run to within about 30 seconds per day for the first four days after winding, and in any given day it shouldn't vary more than 15 seconds from the average error over those four days. Accuracy isn't specified beyond 4 days, but it has to run for at least 8 days after being wound.
It is temperature compensated:
At 55ºC (131ºF) it shouldn't vary more than 15 seconds in 6 hours.
At 0ºC (32ºF) it shouldn't vary more than 10 seconds in 6 hours.
At -35 ºC (-31ºF) it shouldn't vary more than 75 seconds in 6 hours.
There are more specifications in MIL-C-6499 for accuracy under shock, vibration, humidity and magnetic fields. I see no requirements for operation in other than the 12 o'clock up position.
Performance top
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The sample seen here, bought from a random stranger through eBay was probably made in the 1970s.
Mine ran slow 30 seconds per day for the first few days, and then lost a minute or two per day — with the stopwatch running all day per the MIL Spec. I have not sent it in for service. It only ran for 7.5 days, but that was with the stopwatch running, too. Historic Aviation Supply tells me that the stopwatch takes more power, so that these ought to run longer without the stopwatch running. They usually run 5-10 days on a winding.
With the stopwatch not running, it seems to be much more accurate, not that it's easy to tell without a second hand.
It is not designed to be super-accurate; it is designed to be durable, legible and functional.
It is supposed to be wound and set every time you get in your plane as part of your pre-flight checklist. The only reason it needs to run for at least 8 days is to make setting it faster and less likely to be in gross error, since it won't be that far off for each flight.
Usage top
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Winding
Twist the big bottom knob clockwise. Don't force it when it becomes harder to turn. Mine takes 16.5 twists with my finger (a twist is less than a revolution) when it's completely stopped.
You should wind and set this clock before each flight. If it sits on a desk, keep it wound; it won't be as accurate set only once a week.
Stopwatch
Press the small top button to start.
Press again to stop.
Press a third time to reset to 00:00.
Recommendations top
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I got one as a small, legible clock for my desk, complete with a handy stopwatch to measure items under test.
Most you'll see for sale are from the 1960s and are very well worn.
They tend to run 8 years or so before needing service.
If you've found all the time, effort and expense I put into researching and sharing all this, this free website's biggest source of support is when you use these links, especially this link directly to them at eBay (see How to Win at eBay), when you get anything, regardless of the country in which you live. Thanks! Ken.
More Information top
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Official US Time (I use a shortwave radio for the WWV broadcasts at 5, 10 and 15 MC/s for more accuracy)
Waltham Aircraft Clock Corporation for sales and service. A service is about $200 if you don't need it certified for flight.
Waltham A-13A-1, p/n 400202. About $2,300 new.
Historic Aviation Supply (978) 872-4417. These folks service this clock for about $120, and are also FAA certified.
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