01
Art Deco Silhouette
Features a bold architectural profile with softened corners and a recessed presentation frame around the speaker and dial.
Curio Gallery
01 / 03
01 / 03Philips 680A Shortwave Tabletop Tube Radio — photograph 1
Highlights
Why this object
still matters.
A pre-war Philips Model 680A tabletop tube radio featuring a distinctive horizontal dial glass framed beneath a striped textile speaker grille. The control layout incorporates two front-facing control knobs, a side-mounted fine tuning dial, and twin indicator apertures displaying tone and band selections. The cabinet retains its classic architectural silhouette with an integrated brass Philips crest centered above the tuning scale.
02
Central Philips Crest
Embellished with the classic pre-war Philips shield emblem dividing the fabric speaker section from the glass dial.
03
Side Tuning Control
Equipped with a knurled side-mounted tuning knob designed for comfortable station searching across crowded shortwave bands.
04
Twin Status Windows
Mechanical apertures on either side of the dial provide clear feedback for tone adjustments and waveband selection.
05
Extensive Shortwave Scale
Dial includes dedicated calibrations spanning from 11m to 90m alongside standard broadcast frequencies.
06
Striped Acoustic Grille
Textured multi-tone ribbed textile protects the internal dynamic loudspeaker while complementing the cabinet proportions.
Specifications
The useful facts,
clearly recorded.
Measurements, construction, identity, and seller-supplied details are kept together for direct comparison.
Reviewed · Curio catalogue
Maker
Philips; Eindhoven
Origin
Netherlands
Year
1939
Department
audio
Packed shipment
5 kg · 45 × 32 × 30 cm
Manufacturer
Philips (Eindhoven, Netherlands)
Model
680A (Export/Tropical dial configuration)
Receiver type
Superheterodyne tube receiver
Tuning bands
Multi-band shortwave and medium wave scales visible on dial
Controls
Two front-mounted rotary knobs, one right-side tuning knob
Indicators
Dual rectangular windows for tone/selectivity and waveband/gramophone
Details
Close inspection,
recorded in photographs.
Detail № 01 · Philips 680A Shortwave Tabletop Tube Radio — photograph 2
Detail № 02 · Philips 680A Shortwave Tabletop Tube Radio — photograph 3
Heritage
A traceable life,
carefully recorded.
Provenance documentation was not supplied for this specific Philips 680A Shortwave Tabletop Tube Radio; this listing is based on the supplied photographs only.
Pre-War Global Reception
Listening to the World on Shortwave
Visible on the dial scale, the expansive meter markings enabled listeners in 1939 to pull in distant international broadcasts across multiple high-frequency shortwave bands during an era of rapidly unfolding global history.
Ergonomic Radio Engineering
The Side-Mounted Flywheel Drive
The protruding side knob shown in profile allowed fine mechanical adjustment, letting operators rest their arm naturally on the table while navigating narrow frequency gaps without obstructing the front-facing glass indicator.
Timeline
An object in time,
one continuous story.
1939
Introduction of Model 680A
Philips introduces the 680A series with an innovative side-mounted flywheel tuning mechanism and multi-band coverage.
1939
Export & Tropical Variants
Export configurations featuring meter-band dials rather than regional European station names are produced for international markets.
1940
Wartime Disruption
Production of civilian radio sets in Eindhoven is heavily curtailed following the outbreak and escalation of World War II.
Present
Vintage Audio Collecting
Surviving 680A receivers remain recognized examples of late Art Deco European radio engineering and industrial design.
Condition
Honest wear,
documented clearly.
The cabinet displays significant wear consistent with age, including scattered paint loss, scratches, and chipped finish exposing reddish under-layers along the edges and top surface. The striped speaker fabric shows slight age toning but remains intact across the grille area. The dial glass and indicator windows are intact with legible green and yellow graphics, and the knobs and side-tuning control remain attached.
✓
InspectedCabinet Finish
Widespread chips, abrasions, and flaking paint across the top, sides, and front bezel showing reddish-brown substrate beneath.
✓
InspectedSpeaker Grille Fabric
Original vertical-striped woven textile shows uniform age discoloration and minor dusting, free from large tears.
✓
InspectedGlass Tuning Scale
Dial glass is structurally sound with clear frequency markings, shortwave meter bands, and dual mechanical status indicators.
✓
InspectedHardware & Controls
All three exterior knobs and the central Philips shield emblem are present; solid rear wooden panel is secured with screws.
Logistics
Inspected, insured,
door to door.
Step 01
Delivery
Inspected, photographed, and packed with its condition report.
Step 02
Shipping
Custom-fit protective packing with tracked, insured courier service.
Step 03
Returns
Return requests are accepted within fourteen days of confirmed delivery.
Step 04
Dispatch
Prepared for courier handoff within three to five business days.
Acquisition
Make it part of
your collection.
Contact the seller for more information or to discuss this object.
✓ Insured Shipping✓ 14-Day Returns✓ Condition Report✓ Reviewed Listing
Philips 680A Shortwave Tabletop Tube Radio