This night watchman security clock was the brainchild of the American inventor Abraham Newman. His clock system went through many iterations and his company was eventually sold in 1909. That same year a competitive company came out with the “Alert” version A Chicago firm, Hardinge Brothers, entered the market in 1907, and in 1908 introduced the "Alert" watchclock, which was based on principles similar enough to Newman's to require Hardinge to pay royalties to the Newman Clock Company. In 1909, Hardinge brought out the "Patrol" model, to avoid paying royalties to Newman. This Watchman Clock is the rare and short-lived ALERT edition. It measures 7.5” by 7” and is encased in leather that definitely shows its age … but in a good way. I see clock in a library on a bookshelf as a bookend or just a wonderful vintage item with lots of history.