Typophile

Sans serif on an Aircraft Clock

Theresa Stoodley

I would like to know the fonts(s) on the type on this clock face. This is from the late 1930's,
If there something similar,especially from that period, that would be great too.
Any help is appreciated, Thanks!

Seen your first request for this Breitling vintage USAF clock but I was not able to identify any of them. What I could say though is most of typefaces used for such devices (even more when we're talking about Army) are manufacturer exclusive so far from an answer (previous discussions on this kind of topic: 'Art Deco vintage watch dial digits', 'Max Bill clock face design for Junghans. Custom typeface?', 'Font needed for Neon Clock face'...

Central dial digits (ELAPSED TIME/MINUTES)
Remind me of Engravers Gothic/Blair/Sackers Gothic with some 'stencil' adjustments (mainly on /6 counter to avoid a too small part).
Some more in the same vein: Aviano Sans, Montag, Sweet Sans, Luxury Gold, http://Capline, Zeppelin (41), Doublewide, Adrianna, Biondi Sans, Halogen, http://Idlewid, Burin Sans, Ronsard Crystal, Worn Gothic, Bryant 2, Rondell,

ELAPSED TIME/MINUTES
Again, some reminiscence of discussions about Leroy Lettering machine without being it.
Alternatives: Engineering Plot, Planscribe, Leroy Lettering Light Beta 01, Gravur Condensed, Rendering, Simpliciter Sans, Gordon, Register Sans (open counter digits), Primer Print, Report, Oxymoron, TGL 0-16

U.S. AF TYPE A-10A 8 DAYS/BREITLING WAKMANN
Some 'DIN' might work well even if, again, that's far from matching. Some interesting details to note: /A large flat top, low /W centre vertex
Similars: Storno, Default, Fenwick

Thanks for this information, I had a suspicion that It may be a custom type.

I really appreciate the well thought out reply, it is very helpful.

Captured from web.archive.org on 30 Jul 2018. view this capture