In the fall of 2018, I came across an interesting clock on Facebook Marketplace. The photos were far from ideal and showed a very distressed piece that had clearly spent years in a hot, humid environment—my guess was an attic. The seller was asking quite a lot for it, but I replied that the clock … More Did This Mauthe Wall Clock Originally Have a Crown? Solving the Model 247 Mystery
One of the most common mistakes in clock maintenance is oiling a movement while it is still in the case. It seems convenient, and many people believe they are helping the clock, but in reality, you cannot properly inspect or oil a movement until it has been removed from the case and examined, where you … More Never Re-Oil a Mechanical Clock Without Removing the Movement First
Some clocks are purchased because they are rare, some because they are old, and some simply because they appeal to the eye. Every once in a while, however, a clock comes along that checks all three boxes. This Kienzle World Time desk clock is one of those clocks. This article will explore the clock’s designer, … More Kienzle World Time Desk Clock – A Mid-Century Masterpiece
There is a curious term you might have heard in relation to clocks and clock collecting. The term is FrankenClock. Have you ever bought a clock and, as much as you hoped that every mechanical part, finial, and piece of trim was original, later found out through experience, research, or knowledge that it was not? … More FrankenClocks – A Cautionary Tale for Clock Collectors
Looking around my home today, I can count twelve Arthur Pequegnat clocks, but the Brandon II will always be the most important one. It was the first Pequegnat clock I ever bought, and the one that started me down the Pequegnat road. This particular clock is a Brandon II. The first edition was produced up … More The Arthur Pequegnat Brandon II Schoolhouse Clock – The Clock That Started My Collection
The Science Museum in London England occasionally hosts temporary exhibits within the horology section that delve deeper into specific aspects of timekeeping, such as the influence of time on culture or the future of time measurement. In the spring of 2024, a special exhibit of Zimingzhong clocks captured my attention. For any clock enthusiast, it … More The Magic of the Zimingzhong Clock
For the past four years, my blog has been built around the Gateway theme. It has served me well—clean, reliable, and easy to navigate. It has quietly done its job without drawing attention to itself. But over time, even the most dependable design can begin to feel a little… familiar. As my blog has grown, … More Exploring a New Look: Moving Beyond the Gateway Theme
idioms are fixed phrases or expressions whose meanings can’t be understood just by interpreting the individual words. Their meanings are figurative and widely recognized within a particular culture or language. Every language has its own idioms. In horology, we have quite a few, and it’s fascinating how the word “clock” plays such a prominent role … More Idioms and Expressions with the word “Clock” and/or “Time” in Them | 2026 edition
Some clocks have a way of drawing you in immediately, and this Vienna-style wall clock made by Friedrich Mauthe was one of those pieces. The moment I saw it, I knew it had presence—it becomes part of the room. With its rich walnut case, turned columns, and the distinctive horse finial crowning the top pediment, … More Restoring the Balance of a Mauthe Horse Crown Vienna Style Wall Clock
U. M. Müller clocks were once a familiar name in households across Europe, yet today the brand is not as widely recognized among collectors as some of the larger German makers. That is a bit surprising, because the company produced clocks that could easily stand beside the finest German manufacturers of the early twentieth century. … More The Rise of the German Box Clock: A U. M. Müller Example
This two-weightGustav Becker regulator wall clock, purchased in 2016 as a “project clock,” proved early on to be more challenging than I thought. This is the third and final post in this series. For the story behind this clock and an analysis of the steps taken so far, the first and the second posts can … More Re-Bushing, Reassembly & Testing of a Gustav Becker Regulator
Among Canadian clocks, some names are immediately recognizable — Pequegnat, Canada Clock Company, Hamilton Clock Company, Wesclox from Peterbourough or Seth Thomas and New Haven imports sold through Canadian retailers. Others, however, tell a quieter story. Walter Clocks of Toronto belongs firmly in that second group, yet its history represents one of the last meaningful … More Walter Clocks of Toronto: A Nearly Forgotten Chapter in Canadian Clockmaking
Over the years, many readers have asked what tools, oils, and supplies I use when working on antique clocks. While I occasionally mention these items in various posts, I realized it might be helpful to bring everything together in one convenient place. I’ve now added a new resource page to the blog titled “Tools I … More A New Resource Page for Clock Enthusiasts: Tools I Use for Clock Repair
Twice each year, most people casually change the time on a microwave or stove clock and carry on with life. Those of us who collect mechanical clocks, however, prepare for what can only be described as a seasonal endurance event. Yes — Daylight Saving Time has arrived again. For the general public, DST is a … More Daylight Saving Time and Mechanical Clocks — A Love-Hate Relationship
I wrote recently about a two-weight Gustav Becker regulator wall clock that my wife bought for me in 2016. It was sold as a “project clock.” While the case presented its own challenges, the real difficulties lay in the movement. At the time, I was unfamiliar with Gustav Becker movements and only gradually realized that … More A Return to the Bench: Wear-Related Strike Problems in a Gustav Becker P27
Some time ago, I was up for a real challenge when I bought an old clock that seemed hopelessly irreparable. While picking up another clock, the seller threw this one in for a few dollars more. The clock, an Ansonia Extra Drop, was in pieces and had been stored in a barn—literally—for many years. The … More Can a Seized, Rusty Clock Movement Be Saved? An Ansonia Case Study
Visitors to my site often ask what their clock is worth. Occasionally, someone has a very unique clock that is difficult to value, but more often, the clock they believe is valuable turns out to be very common and worth little or nothing, even though it may be 100+ years old. As we often say … More What to expect in 2026 | Will Clock Prices Rise Again?
In 2016, my wife gifted me a two-weight Gustav Becker regulator wall clock. It was a much-appreciated gift, and I spent many hours restoring it, as it had been sold as a “project clock.” The case certainly had its issues, but the most challenging problems lay in the movement itself. At the time, I was … More Ten Years Later: An Odd Strike Issue in a Gustav Becker P27 Movement
This is a cautionary tale for anyone who owns a long-case or tall-case clock, especially a weight-driven example. I make that distinction because I do own a tall-case clock that is spring-driven, which I can assure you is quite unusual. Most, however, are weight-driven. The other day, I went to investigate an issue with the … More Gravity Never Sleeps: A Tall-Case Clock Warning
I receive many honest and sincere letters from readers of my blog, and I truly enjoy responding to the many clock questions and challenges. But one letter I received recently gave me reason to think twice — the first of its kind I have ever received. Here it is: “Dear Ron, I wanted to reach … More A Letter of Praise Nearly Fooled Me | A Cautionary Tale
Starting an antique clock collection can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. With so many styles, makers, movements, and time periods to choose from, it’s easy to wonder where to begin. The good news is that you don’t need deep pockets or expert knowledge on day one—just curiosity, patience, and a willingness to learn. … More How to Start an Antique Clock Collection: Tips for Beginners
Some time ago, I posted an article on Minimal Invasive Intervention, in which I posed a question that often haunts clock collectors: how far should one go to repair, restore, or conserve a clock without changing it in a significant way? This question came up in a conversation with my daughter, a civil engineer, who … More How Much Can You Change A Clock Before It Loses Its Identity?
If you’re a collector of any kind, you’ll relate to what I have to say in this blog article. In the early years of collecting anything, many of us follow a very familiar path. We begin with breadth rather than depth, acquiring whatever speaks to us, and for me, it was mantel clocks, shelf clocks, … More A Clock Collection in Motion | The Dynamic Nature of Clock Collecting
As the New Year approaches, I often find myself listening to the steady tick of an antique clock. There’s something comforting about it — that quiet rhythm marking the end of one chapter and the start of another. Picture a cozy room on New Year’s Eve. Maybe there’s a fire crackling, friends chatting, and somewhere … More Timeless Beginnings: A Horologist’s New Year Reflection
There’s something especially magical about antique clocks during the Christmas season. Each one seems to hold onto time’s most precious moments, quietly ticking through memories of holidays long past. I often picture a cozy room bathed in soft, twinkling lights, with a tall case clock standing proudly in the corner — a symbol of craftsmanship … More Taking a Moment of Your Time This Christmas
Collecting, Repairing and Restoring Antique & Vintage Clocks
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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