Unknown JIL TFC-488

[Sirjess]

Hello,

I recently found a flip clock radio and was looking for more information on it. As you can see in the pictures it is a JIL candle flip clock, but the thing I love about it is the window to see that it is working. It makes the clock look extra retro in my opinion.
I tried to find a picture of one like it online but cant find the exact model. I am wondering the year it was made, and if it was a low end or high end product at the time. It also seemed weird to me not to find another one like it online, makes me think its either rare, or a piece of crap no one cares about. Thank you.

[Mackey]

The controls look like those I've seen on a Sounddesign clock. I wonder if they're related.
I would say it was a mid range product. As with most collectibles, the value of a clock is more dependent upon whether someone wants it or not, not really whether it's rare or not. The Panasonic RC-6025 was Panasonic's bargain basement entry level flunky flip clock. Today, it commands 175 to 250+ dollars on eBay due to its appearance in the movie Groundhog Day. The real expensive Panasonics are lucky these days to pull in 30% of that. So really, if someone had that as a kid, it may be worth something to them.
In my experience, there are few people just collecting a flip clock just because it's rare. Unless it fits into that collector's niche.
Honestly, you'd be doing good to get 35-50 dollars for that clock. But don't think it's junk!! Never!!
If that clock found its way on to a movie set its value would shoot up.
Thanks for posting the pics!

[Sirjess]

Also,
How much motor sound should it make. I tried to sleep with it by my bed and could not stand the gear-noise hum. Should it be that loud or does this mean something is wrong with it. If I open it up would some grease or something help it, or hurt it?

[azimuth989]

Nice find!! Looks awesome. I have a Soundesign and a KMart model flip clock, both have the same Copal mechanism. Upon taking the Kmart model apart for cleaning, I found that the inside of the case was imprinted with the words "Property of Soundesign". Clearly, SD sourced flip clocks for a variety of other "house" brands. Maybe yours would have some clues inside. As far as the noise goes, my SD is noisier and I think more worn than my KMart clock. Due to the mechanical nature of the mechanism, I believe that probably all clocks have at least some "noise". I look forward to other members comments!

[Sirjess]

Well I decided to open it up. Sadly I can not see the gears that are running the whole time as they are covered. It sure is amazing to see how bad old soldering was.

[Matthew]

Nice, nice clock radio. I like this one, thanks for the pictures. Definitely not junk, and what's more, IT WORKS! There are some things you cannot find online (happens to me regularly - I deal with weird and rare stuff). The motor probably just needs to be oiled. I had two Sankyo cyclometers, those were really noisy but they had a different motor design. My flipclocks, on the other hand, just hum steadily and it's not really noticeable - they have the same type of motor as yours.

[oldclockradios.com]

Sirjess, if you haven't yet, go to the repair/restoration area here and get some tips. Your flip clock is definitely save-able and should be saved!!

[Towmater]

Not to bring back a thread from the dead...but...

"JIL" stands for JUTAN INTERNATIONAL LIMITED which is the company who imported these "Candle" brand clock to Toronto, Canada from Hong Kong/China.