Clock in 280SL, 1971

[KUMARB]

Does anyone know the clock in 1971 280SL was electric or quartz? The clock in my car is VDO electric with markings "26/12/3".  Does this mean the clock was made on December 26, 1963?  If this is the case, the clock is not the original that came with the car. Did 1971 280SL have a quartz VDO clock?

Any help will be appreciated.
 

[66andBlue]

All Pagodas came with a electro-mechanical clock, but later replacement clocks were available with  a quartz movement.
See: http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Electrical/Clock  and   http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=9521
Your date stamp probably means December 26, 1973.

[KUMARB]

Thanks for your response, 66andblue. The Technical manual had a lot of useful information.

If the electromechanical clock with markings of "26/12/3" in my 1971 280SL was made on December 26, 1973, that means this clock must be a replacement?  I did not realize! The other marking stamped on the back of the clock is 0126. This must be metal housing size? Thanks again.

[KUMARB]

Thanks for your advice. I just bought a quartz clock on e-bay. I was not sure first how it would look like. It arrived today and looks very much like the original clock, the dial face, hour and minute hands, etc. look very much like the old ones.

[DPaulski]

I have a 67 250SL and the clock does not function. Can you share with me the path you used to removing your clock on the 1971 as I am fairly sure they are in the same
environment.
Thanks
DPaulski

[66andBlue]

Welcome DPaulski!
Have you tried the search function? Just type in "removing clock" and see how many hits you'll get!
One is this here: http://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=331.0

[DPaulski]

Thank you 66 and Blue! You're my friend.
DPaulski

[rutger kohler]

Hi, following up on the clock posts,  I have a 1969 280SL and  the p[revious owner spent a significant sum on having the clock overhualed.  It kept pretty much perfect time, however I have recently had the car off the road to carry out an enginebay makeover. On reconnecting the battery and getting the car going I have noticed the clock now gains about 1 hour per week despite me not having touched it or the electrical circuit.  Any ideas why this might be?

[georgem]

Hi Rutger,

Perhaps your clock is trying to make up for lost time.....

[philmas]

These clocks usually get all but accurate with age, and I'm not even convinced they were at the time .Remember this is an electro-mechanical movement, not quartz!

While overhauling will fix  major issues or wear,  it will never make them work like modern ones.If accuracy matters to you, then why not go for a quartz conversion? I had it done some years ago, and been pleased with it ever since.
On the other hand, there is a nut at the back of the clock which allows for fine tuning (if I remember...), you should find more info somewhere on this forum.

[rutger kohler]

Hi, thanks for that, a big ho ho to George from Brisbane too!

[Max Brand]

Erratic time keeping caused me to send the original electric clock in my 1969 Mercedes 280SL for a quartz modification.
Overseas Speedometer
100 Wallis Drive
Austin, Texas 78746
800-444-0292
They charged $175 plus $6.11 shipping
As long as the battery was installed, the clock has not lost a minute in two years.