1970s Philips 707 AWB126 Front Loader

[supermaticjames]

This week I got a surprise when I saw this local to me on Gumtree. Nothing of this age usually comes up on it and I never imagined myself owning a Philips so after few minutes of thought I decided I'd go for it as I knew it was a 1970s model and fairly uncommon.

I collected the machine on Thursday evening and the seller said that he would look out for me at the auctions he goes to as that is where he got this one from.

Immaculate would be the most fitting word to describe it as it appears to a fairly low mileage machine. It still has its original black door seal and rubber drain hose so my guess is that it was originally in a seaside holiday home as a popular coastal area was not far away. It was really clean to begin with but I decide to give it the once over and it looks ever so slightly better now.

This is a French built machine as UK production of Philips front loaders wasn't set up yet therefore the machine is a little different to the later models, most recognisably it has an enamelled steel tub. Overall, it's quite a solid machine and the French should be proud!

I can't wait to try it out with a load in it, that spin-drain is something special and the suspension is really up for the job of handling all that water and laundry going round at speed.

Anyway, without further ado - the Philips 707 as found!

 

[supermaticjames]

Front panel removed for easy access to the pump and door seal.

 

[supermaticjames]

Interesting weights in this machine, dense concrete encased in plastic - at least they won't chip or crack!

 

[supermaticjames]

The drum opening is slightly larger than most washing machines of this vintage.

 

[supermaticjames]

A few unusual components up around the top. I'm guessing that the large coil beside the inlet valves is something to do with suppression. Look at the size of that timer and the lack of coloured wires - I wouldn't fancy changing it!

 

[supermaticjames]

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[supermaticjames]

Front panel fitted.

 

[supermaticjames]

Obligatory photo of the ratings plate sticker. I'm not sure on how to decipher the exact age of this machine so if anyone can pitch in and decipher it I'd really appreciate that.

 

[supermaticjames]

Rear panel removed.

 

[supermaticjames]

That unique PerMag motor that Philips is renowned for using!

 

[supermaticjames]

Now I was surprised to see this - the water temperature in this machine is detected by a hydraulic thermostat. I would have thought that all front loaders used bimetallic thermostats by then!

 

[supermaticjames]

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[supermaticjames]

Rear panel fitted.

 

[supermaticjames]

Gleaming!

 

[supermaticjames]

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[supermaticjames]

The blue accents really compliment the chrome and brushed aluminium.

 

[supermaticjames]

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[supermaticjames]

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[revvinkevin]

Sorry, I jumped in one post too soon.

 

 

Very nice James, it cleaned up beautifully, CONGRATS!   I look forward to hearing about the water or laundry test.

 

A few questions for you:

 

This machine has both hot & cold fill?

 

What does the knob on the right do?   Also what do the indicator lights, indicate?

 

Lastly, those 2 brown rectangle things that look like they may be buttons at the bottom of the control panel, are those the releases for the door and dispenser?

 

The controls are not very intuitive, I hope you have the owners manual to decipher the cycles!  

 

 

Thanks!

Kevin

 

[supermaticjames]

And last but not least - that drum once again. It's really warming on me and I'm sure once it's done a few inaugural loads it will have won me over!

James

 

[supermaticjames]

Hi Kevin,

It's had a water test earlier on today and as expected everything was 100%. It uses quite a bit of water but then again what 1970s front loader doesn't!

It does indeed have H&C fill and the small knob on the right is for variable spin speed - uncommon in those days!

The two brown rectangular buttons are for releasing the door and the dispenser respectively.

James

 

[revvinkevin]

 

 

Again, very nice!   Thank you for the explanations!  

 

Is the door release mechanical or electric?     Interesting that the dispenser drawer has a release button (fun).   The variable speed spin is interesting too.  Is it infinitely variable or fixed speeds? 

 

Sorry for all the questions, but I don't know and gotta ask!  

 

Thanks!

Kevin

 

[stricklybojack]

.
Great find!

 

[supermaticjames]

My motto is if you don't ask you don't know!

The door release is mechanical and interlinked with the timer so that it is only able to operate when the dial is at an off position. A lot of 1980s Hoover front loaders had dispenser release buttons but they were prone to failing. The spin speed is infinitely variable from approximately 120 rpm to 800 rpm. The numbers are only there as a guide.

James

 

[chanceskydiver]

Hi James it is lovely. Got a Electra from Dunfermline in the tale end summer last year. I had got it as well as a Miele. It is much better than the Electra AWF 683 have from 1984. I'm pleased that he is going to look out for you and give you a good opportunity of getting more.

 

[foraloysius]

Wow James, that's a wonderful find! I love those Philips machines from the seventies. The machines with the blue accents are nicer in my books than the later ones with the soft orange/gold accents.

These machines got hot and cold fill especially for the UK I think, overhere all washing machines were cold fill. Philips must have had enough of a market share in the UK I guess to make models with a hot water connection.

I love the sound of the Permanent Magnet motors. Not very silent when washing!! And I notice they draw a lot of power when the motor is in wash mode. I assume the 707 turns the heating off for the short tumbles between heating? At least my Philips toploader did. Or doesn't it tumble at all during heating?

This machine spins probably at 750 or 800rpm at max. lowest is indeed 120 (meant for lace curtains! lol). On later models Philips put the spinspeed on the ratings plate sticker. Funny that they didn't do that on this machine, other brands like Miele and Bosch did that way earlier already. But those machines are boring compared to this one!

Are you able to do a video?

Thanks for sharing these wonderful pictures of my favourite brand ever!

 

[matchboxpaul]

Hi James.

People who have met me will confirm that when something makes me happy, that I grin from ear to ear.
Suffice to say that since opening up this thread, I haven't been able to wipe the grin from my face

As I mentioned in an e-mail a couple of days ago, I am overjoyed that finally a nice example of Philips, blue style front loader has been saved and has found a safe retirement home with you

....

 

[matchboxpaul]

....

Always had a fondness for these early Philips machines, though I only can remember a fleeting contact with a blue example.

PREPARE FOR WAFFLY SLIGHT DIGRESSION ....
That experience was at the latest spring 1982, before my family moved house and was in what I assume was an old neighbours house. I did mean to ask my mum about it last visit home, but forgot, so your new arrival will certainly ensure I remember to ask next time.

You walked into their kitchen and in front of you was a removable breakfast bar, which slid away to reveal a Philips AAJ001 tumble dryer (blue of course and piccy below).
Opposite this and unobscured was what I always remembered as a Philips '808', with a shiny silver fascia, accented with blue detailing and festooned with dials, buttons and lights.

Since then it was always '808' and that was before I knew about 202, 303, 404, 606 or 707 and since 2007, I have learnt that there definitely was a machine known as '808' and it was top of the range, with variable temp, variable spin, economy and half load buttons and was probably the mystery model machine AWB127.

Does anyone else remember a blue version '808' and does anyone have a photo of one, as this is probably the last mystery machine of my childhood?

Having gone right round the houses and over the hills, back to the point that I was coming too.
My enduring memory of the '808' was down to that fascia colour scheme and I totally agree with Louis that the blue looks fantastic!
Gives an air of being slightly sinister and 'cool' and certainly something not to be messed with, which was even more emphatic on my fabled '808', which is why I remember it to this day.
The blue hues Philips used created some superb looking machines and, though immensely fond of the bronze range that followed, the warmth of that colour lost some of the impact that the blue had. Personal taste though

Paul
p.s AAJ001 below - have tried twice to secure one of these and failed both times .... will try harder in future.

 

[matchboxpaul]

Hi again James.

Thanks for the photos of the machine and its internals.
Certainly far braver and expert than me at taking things apart, I hope that the Servicing Manual has proved an interesting read for you.

Paul
p.s can I use a picture of your 707 in a future thread that I have in mind to do?

 

[matchboxpaul]

p.s nearly forgot .... does your machine have a sticker on the door hinge like this? ....