The Copal Model 705L - a black light flip clock alarm with an anodized aluminum wrap around case, plastic end pieces and knobs.

Availability:
The clock comes up on the auction sites very rarely but when you see it, it will get your attention. Sellers on eBay have been noted to indicate that it may be made of copper or bronze, but a little research, testing and observation at FlipClockFans studios clearly shows this clock to be bronze electrolytic colorized anodized aluminum.

Features:
The clock features fluorescent green digits on black background illuminated by a black light bulb. bulb used is the NL80T8B. This is the exact bulb used in the Panasonic RC-7462, another period black light clock. Unfortunately, by this time after it's manufacture, the black light bulb is very weak, barely causing the digits to glow.

Impressions:
The clock is sleek and classy. You'll immediately notice its shimmer. Picking it up you will realize that the clock is substantial and solid. However, it only weighs in at 2 lbs 5 oz. As with all early copal clocks, the clock is a quiet flipper with a racous buzzing alarm.

The Copal 705L in Advertising:
In Advertising the clock is noted to appear in a newspaper ad in 1974, alongside the Copal 222, 227 and 229 . These clocks at the time were priced between $15-25 dollars. The Copal 705L was nearly double this at about $45.00. Clearly it was a higher end clock attempting to appeal to the higher income crowd. The clock was described as "Copal 705L Digital Alarm Clock with 'Black Light'. "

Details: Model: Copal 705L
Dimensions: 8 3/4 wide, 3 1/2 inches tall, 4 1/4 inches deep.
Weight: 2.3 lbs (1.04 kg)
Features: 5 min snooze button on top of the clock, alarm on/off switch on back.
Type: 12 - hour and 24 - hour
Power: 115 V AC, 60 Hz, 6 Watts and 180-260V AC 50 Hz 6 Watts.
Color: Bronze
Case Material:Electrolytic Colorized Anodized Aluminum
Flip Clock: fluorescent green digits on black background
Lighting: black light using NL80T8B bulb
Manfactured in Japan
Sold in US: 1974
Price in 1974: $49.95


$49.95 in 1974 had the same buying power as $261.03 in 2017
from dollartimes. com

Advertisement from:
The Kane Republican
Kane, Pennsylvania
February 15, 1974 pg 6

To comment on this article or clock and to see a video of the disassembly, go to the forum post