VEGLIA CLOCK RE-LENS

Years ago in the analog age, Guzzi sourced a Veglia 12-volt electrical clock for the dashboard of various models. My 1987 SP-II calls for part number 17-78-30-60. The same clock was used for a variety of models but with differing brackets. The basic clock dimensions are:

Bezel outer diameter = 2.223" or 56.30mm

Body outer diameter = 2.020" or 51.25mm

Length from base to top of bezel 2.155" or 54.70mm

Unfortunately, Veglia utilized a poor quality plastic material for the clock's lens. After years of environmental exposure, the lens will cloud up and turn yellow making it nearly impossible to read the time (pretty much a basic function for a clock).

Recently I decided to tear my clock apart and see if something could be done about it. It was NOT the easy task I thought it would be. Because it is exposed to the weather, the face of the clock has to be waterproof. But, the time adjustment knob passes directly through the center of the lens. My initial thought was to just make a new lens with a hole in the center for the adjuster. Easy, but not waterproof. I discovered that Veglia had carefully engineered a very intricate system to squeeze a miniature o-ring around the adjustment stem to provide the moisture seal. Reconstructing that is a bit too dainty for my machinery and skills. My solution was to lathe salvage this intricate waterproofing core from my old lens and glue that into the center of a new lens.

The face bezel is crimped into position around the body of the clock. I had to make a support fixture to hold the clock so I could un-bend the face bezel without too much damage or distortion to the bezel. Think about prying open a can of tuna fish, eating half, and then crimping the can back together to preserve the remainder. Next I had to create a miniature puller to separate the adjuster knob and stem so that I could then bore out and preserve the sealing core of the old lens.

After replacing the lens, the clock is pressed together with a little pressure to compress its rubber seals around the lens and the face bezel is crimped back into position.

Happy to do this task for anyone else that has a non-readable clock. Time, materials, tooling, etc. I would charge $20 for the work and include routine postage back to you as well. Add money if you want some express shipment. It takes a couple of days to turn around as I have to leave time for glue drying of the core and paint if the bezel is scratched much.

CAVEAT EMPTOR! I am not a professional machinist or watchmaker, so there is no guarantee or warranty of work or workmanship. I might just end up destroying your clock completely. Oh well. I fixed my clock. Happy to try and fix yours for you if you wish. I am re-using your original Veglia adjuster stem seal. Is it still waterproof like new? May not be waterproof, but won't be any worse than what you already had. The original plastic lens is 0.081" thick. Some European specification which I can not duplicate. I am using 5/64th acrylic plastic at 0.078" which is scratch and UV resistant. The work can likely be duplicated multiple times in the future should it be damaged or deteriorate again.

Patrick Hayes

Fremont CA

pehayes@comcast.net

Original clouded lens with adjuster core removed.

Adjuster core moved into the new, clear lens.

Final product installed into dash housing. Guess what time it is!