Zenith Deluxe K518 "Owl Eyes" Tube Clock Radio — 1953, Ivory Bakelite, Telechron View Watchlist >
- Winning Bid: $175.00
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Lot # B759
System ID # 26821220
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Zenith Deluxe K518 "Owl Eyes" Tube Clock Radio — 1953, Ivory Bakelite, Telechron
The Zenith K518, known among collectors as the "Owl Eyes," takes its nickname from two large circular bezels set into a horizontal ivory painted Bakelite cabinet. Built in 1953–1954 on the 5J03 chassis, it is an AM superheterodyne table clock radio produced by Zenith Radio Corporation, Chicago, Illinois. The K518 is the Deluxe variant of the J514 series, distinguished by the gold-tone crown-and-shield crest and "Zenith DeLuxe" nameplate centered on the horizontal-slat speaker grille. The left bezel frames a Telechron motor-driven clock with Radio Alarm, Off, Radio, Alarm, Sleep, On Pull, and Off Push functions; the right houses the AM tuning dial with a conical black pointer. The chassis features Zenith's Tube Life-Saver circuit, which allows the five tubes to power up without a voltage surge. The rear fiberboard panel is stamped No. S-18535 and includes a switched appliance receptacle rated to 1100W at 115 VAC and a rear Time Set control.
The original installation and operation instruction sheet (Model K518, form 102-792) is present, taped to the cabinet interior.
CONDITION Good. The ivory painted Bakelite cabinet retains strong gloss overall; two diagonal surface scratches are visible on the top, and minor finish loss appears at the upper edge near the tuning dial bezel. Chrome bezels show light oxidation consistent with age.
DIMENSIONS / SPECIFICATIONS
- Model: Zenith Deluxe K518 ("Owl Eyes")
- Manufacturer: Zenith Radio Corporation, Chicago, Illinois
- Year: 1953–1954
- Chassis: 5J03
- Serial No.: S-18535
- Power: 117V AC, 60 cycles, 30 watts
- Tubes (5): 12AT6, 12BA6, 35W4, 50C5, 12BE6
- Circuit: Superheterodyne; Tube Life-Saver soft-start
- Band: AM Broadcast (MW)
- Clock: Telechron motor-driven; Radio/Alarm/Sleep functions
- Cabinet: Painted Bakelite, Ivory
- Rear: Switched appliance receptacle (1100W max / 115 VAC), Time Set control
- Includes: Original instruction sheet (form 102-792)
- Campbell's Soup Can (4" H) Shown for Scale
