Seahawks
Jedi Knight
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2016
- Messages
- 300
Recently my folks came across a box of pictures, most of which I'd never seen before (or at least that I remember seeing). Among those pictures, there are several from my childhood birthdays and Christmases in which I'm holding Star Wars toys. There is one particular photo from Christmas 1981 where I'm holding the R2-D2 and C-3PO talking alarm clock. I vividly remember them telling me to wake up right away and thinking it was so freakin' cool.
Well, today I was out and about with my kids and made a quick stop at the Star Wars Store. Much to my delight, they had that same clock that I had as a kid. The owner gave me a very fair deal for it while not knowing if it works or not. The clock and box are in amazing condition and even includes the Styrofoam. As a bonus, it also still has the original purchase receipt and return slip. It was purchased at Sears, Robuck and Co. in Seattle on January 13th, 1982 by a lady from Spokane. It was then returned to the store on January 16th (only 3 days later) and notes "Voice works but clock doesn't".
The clock is a wind-up, but requires a C battery for the voice feature. I stopped by the store on my way home to pick up a battery and tried it out, but no luck. I then carefully took it apart. The clock started to work for a few minutes, then stopped. This is obviously the same issue it has had since it was new. The voice box is a small record player box (similar to the Imperial Troop Transporter voice function). After fiddling with it for a bit, I was able to get it to work. 3PO talks in slow motion which I'm assuming is because the small motor that runs it needs lubricated.
Anyway, I'm stoked to add this to my collection. I've included some pics, along with that pic of me back in 1981.
****Addendum***
After adding a small drop of oil, voice sounds much better! Here's a quick video of it working.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku1SGmRhdlo
Well, today I was out and about with my kids and made a quick stop at the Star Wars Store. Much to my delight, they had that same clock that I had as a kid. The owner gave me a very fair deal for it while not knowing if it works or not. The clock and box are in amazing condition and even includes the Styrofoam. As a bonus, it also still has the original purchase receipt and return slip. It was purchased at Sears, Robuck and Co. in Seattle on January 13th, 1982 by a lady from Spokane. It was then returned to the store on January 16th (only 3 days later) and notes "Voice works but clock doesn't".
The clock is a wind-up, but requires a C battery for the voice feature. I stopped by the store on my way home to pick up a battery and tried it out, but no luck. I then carefully took it apart. The clock started to work for a few minutes, then stopped. This is obviously the same issue it has had since it was new. The voice box is a small record player box (similar to the Imperial Troop Transporter voice function). After fiddling with it for a bit, I was able to get it to work. 3PO talks in slow motion which I'm assuming is because the small motor that runs it needs lubricated.
Anyway, I'm stoked to add this to my collection. I've included some pics, along with that pic of me back in 1981.
****Addendum***
After adding a small drop of oil, voice sounds much better! Here's a quick video of it working.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ku1SGmRhdlo
