Service and Repair of the Waltham 8-day “Civil Date” CDIA Aircraft Clock
Servicing the CDIA Waltham Aircraft Clock
This Waltham 8-day aircraft clock (CDIA) arrived in the shop not running, primarily due to old, hardened lubricants that had thickened over time and seized the pivots and gear train. The movement was fully disassembled, with all components carefully inspected and the jewels polished as required. Parts were then cleaned using a four-stage professional cleaning process, incorporating both mechanical agitation and ultrasonic cleaning to remove decades of contamination. After precise reassembly and application of modern lubricants, the clock returned to reliable operation—keeping excellent time and delivering its intended full seven-plus-day power reserve.
Brief History of the Waltham 8-Day “Civil Date” Aircraft Clock
America’s most prominent manufacturers of precision timekeeping instruments, supplying watches and clocks for railroad, military, and aviation use. The 8-day Civil Date aircraft clock was produced primarily during the World War II and post-war periods, when dependable onboard timekeeping was critical for navigation and mission coordination. The clock was a robust, reliable instrument for clear timekeeping, featuring a luminous 24-hour dial, sweep second hand, and a sub-dial for tracking the date, which advanced by pressing a small button, all powered by a durable 8-day, 15-jewel movement.
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