As if In these days of, er, clocks, also computers, mobiles etc. I reckon they were all on Ebay or MN and had the "speaking clock call" held to an ear so they could say "Codeword Pumpkin, yes, it's a matter of national security" when anyone came into the office.
I thought the speaking clock went out with that test card thingy on television. And "dial the top 40".
May be imagining that last one.