The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

I am searching for the green faux leather material that covered the Watchtower portable phonograph. If anyone has any information on this, or knows of a source, that would be great. Thanks Bill Feiner

Tubesandmore.com (Antique Electronic Supply) sell different coloured Tolex (faux leather) for covering guitar amp enclosures. I think they sell small samples of the colours available?

If Tubesandmore doesn't have it, try posting on the European part of the Forum. UK machines use this and collectors seem to be able to source a similar material called "rexine"...

I thought Watchtower portables played records with the lids closed...

Curt A wrote:If Tubesandmore doesn't have it, try posting on the European part of the Forum. UK machines use this and collectors seem to be able to source a similar material called "rexine"...

I thought Watchtower portables played records with the lids closed...

This may sound odd, but this "Granby" guy knows a little about Watch Tower Phonographs, too, only because have owned a few over the past decade or so. There are two models - one is a "vertical" model that plays the record while closed. The other model is a traditional "suitcase" model like the one pictured.

Granby wrote:

Curt A wrote:If Tubesandmore doesn't have it, try posting on the European part of the Forum. UK machines use this and collectors seem to be able to source a similar material called "rexine"...

I thought Watchtower portables played records with the lids closed...

This may sound odd, but this "Granby" guy knows a little about Watch Tower Phonographs, too, only because have owned a few over the past decade or so. There are two models - one is a "vertical" model that plays the record while closed. The other model is a traditional "suitcase" model like the one pictured.

Thanks for clearing that up... I have only seen the vertical model...

I'd search all the American book binding suppliers to see if something similar is available in USA.

Thanks to all who have responded. I will try all of the above replies.