What year Chrysler was it that had a clock in the center of the steering wheel? was it late 40's or early 50'?

They were made available in '54 (but would also fit a '53), as an accessory, and were available for several years after that (do not know the exact year they quit, but l think they were gone by the '60's).

They were self-winding so they did not need power to them to run.

Chrysler did offer the Benrus self winding clock on the steering wheel in 1956-58.
I've seen them on DeSotos in person.