When did Lou Gazo start his Clock Company?
In 1973, Ed and his sister Renee relocated to San Diego, and the family began to entertain the idea of forming a clock company. Renee & Ed Gazo (right) with salesman. By this time, Lou was running the clock shop and attended to casework repairs and restoration while Ed repaired the movements.
What kind of movements do Gazo clocks use?
Also that year, the company was approached by the German firm, G. Jauch, who proposed that Gazo use Jauch movements in their clocks. An agreement was reached and the Jauch movements were soon in use by the firm. Later on, the firm also used Keininger movements in its larger wall and floor-standing models.
How much does a Gazo 50 note clock cost?
The 50-note mechanism added about $500 to the initial retail price while the 72-note version added up to $1,400. However, due to increasing expenses for materials and labor, the company needed additional capital by 1979. A Small Business Administration loan was secured and, as part of the loan agreement, a time and efficiency study was conducted.
Who was the first clock guy in San Diego?
Clock Guy Note: Lou Gazo was the first “clock guy” I ever met, way back in 1971. At the time he lived and worked in an old Victorian house at First and Grape Streets in the glide path of San Diego’s Lindbergh Field.
What kind of movement does Gazo clock use?
In order for the customer to get more without raising prices, Gazo released its sales team. By this time, the company was also using Urgos and Kieninger movements in their clocks. Gazo also introduced a unique clock during this time.
Where was the Gazo Palo Alto clock made?
With the exception of the Palo Alto and Santa Barbara models, whose cases were manufactured in the shop of “Salvador” in Tijuana (who did extremely high quality work), all cases made during the era when the Thomas family owned and operated the company, were made in the National City factory.
How much money does Gazo Clock Company make?
The firm managed to sell all of the models they manufactured and were realizing annual sales of about $2.2 million. However, the clock industry in general began a slow downturn and sales began to drop. In order for the customer to get more without raising prices, Gazo released its sales team.
What did Lou Gazo do with his money?
Lou Gazo, who was born May 26, 1920, had an interest in and collected clocks and while his son, Ed, was stationed in Germany as a member of the U.S. Air Force, Lou would send Ed money to purchase antique German clocks. Ed bought clocks and shipped them home to his father who would repair, restore, and then sell them.
