The Westclox Clock Company is best known for various versions of Big Ben and Baby Ben windup alarm clocks produced from 1909 to the mid 1980s though the later Chinese clocks did not compare with the better made American versions. In the Art Deco style is the LaSalle series. Both of these clocks (above) are … More LaSalle Dura alarm clock movement cleaned and running
How to sell an antique mechanical clock If you are a collector like myself there will come a point when there are just too many clocks and not enough walls and mantels. I manage my collection in two ways, some clocks are gifted while others are sold. I am not in the business of selling … More How to sell an antique mechanical clock – preparation and advertising
Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clock, issues you might have had, challenges you face or a clock you would like me to profile and my responses to your questions with advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that stump … More Tick Talk Tuesday #26 – bob needed for Sessions Raven mantel clock
What defines a successful clock day? When everything goes according to plan, I’d say. I ordered a number of parts from a clock supplier that finally arrived recently. Among the supplies was a good quality pivot oiler, a mainspring for the time side of a mantel clock, a set of better quality broaches and movement … More What defines a successful clock day?
Pequegnat was in the business of making clocks in Kitchener, Canada for over 35 years, 1903 to 1941. Unfortunately the shortage of brass during World War II was the death knell for this company. Pequegnat clocks are sought after by Canadian clock collectors and command higher than average prices, in Canada at least. The best … More Servicing a Pequegnat time and strike movement
The only way you can safely disassemble a clock with an open mainspring is by using mainspring restraining clamps. 4 piece sets, which will accommodate various mainsprings sizes are available from all clock suppliers. Wind the mainsprings tightly enough so that you can work the clamps around the springs. Move the rachet click aside and … More What is this clock thing for? #5 – the mainspring clamp
While I admire the ingenuity and creativity of clock repairpersons many years ago some of the repairs are downright scary and dangerous. I say clock repairpersons because may were back yard mechanics with minimal clock skills that were paid to “just get his thing running”. In this article, I will describe some of the strange … More Interesting clock repairs, some good, some not so good
In February 2020 my wife was perusing an online auction house looking for interesting bargains and noticed a 170-year-old Scottish tall case offered for bidding. Over the past couple of years we had talked about acquiring an antique tall case clock but those we liked were either well beyond our reach or required extensive repairs … More English bell strike servicing Part I – the assessment
A clock test stand is an absolute must for anyone that repairs antique and/or vintage clocks. Quite often minor adjustments are required after servicing that can only be made if the movement is on a test stand. Years ago I bought a test stand from Merritts Clock Supplies. It is called Gene’s test stand and … More Tall case clock movement testing stand
Don’t throw that old clock case or movement away. In this article, I will describe how I repurpose/reuse an old ogee clock case and how saving those old clock parts will come in handy someday. Some time ago I responded to an ad on our local online for-sale site from an individual who had four … More Don’t throw those old clock parts away
While refreshing the case of this relatively nondescript mantel clock assembled by a short-lived Canadain clock company I ran into two interesting surprises. Here is a garden-variety vintage Westminster chime mantel clock from the Fleet Time Company of Montreal (Canada). Many of these clocks were sold at department stores across Canada during the pre-war (WWII) … More Fleet Time company of Montreal – case refinishing and 2 surprises
Among American clocks, the name Elisha Manross does not immediately come to mind unlike well-known clockmakers such as Seth Thomas, New Haven or Waterbury. However, Elisha Manross (1792-1856) was an important pioneer of the Connecticut clock. Brass mainsprings are very rare. It is possible for a clockmaker to go through their entire career without seeing … More A 1847 Elisha Manross steeple clock with rare brass mainsprings
It is time to take a little break. It has been a difficult first half of 2020 and we are all feeling the effects of isolation. For many the world-wide pandemic has been an adjustment not only with our daily routine but in our interactions with those dear to us. Hopefully things will change for … More Time to relax and slow down
Renewing an antique wood clock case is easier than you think. In this blog, I will take you through three simple steps to revitalize the finish on this fine American 30-hour shelf clock. Let’s begin with 2 assumptions. Two assumptions The word “simple” implies that you have done at least some work on clock cases/furniture … More Renewing an antique clock case in three easy steps
It is not uncommon for a mechanical clock to run 25, 30 years or more with nothing more done to it other than the occasional oiling. How often should a mechanical clock be serviced? It is not as simple an answer as it seems. In this post, I will define what it means to service … More How often should I service my mechanical clock?
Restoring the case of an 1850s period Scottish tall case clock with an English bell strike is the subject of this blog. This is Part II of a two-part series. Check out Part I here. While the case was made in Scotland, the movement, dial and weights are all from Birmingham, England made at or … More Restoring an 1850s Scottish tall clock case – Part II
This is my first experience with a tall case clock from the 1850s and my first venture into English bell strike movement servicing. Let me explain. Although the case was made in Scotland, the movement, dial and weights are all from Birmingham, England made at or before 1850. The clock was in fair condition when … More Restoring an 1850s Scottish tall clock case – Part I
Older readers growing up in the rural areas of Canada and American have fond memories of the one-room schoolhouse clock located in the front or rear of the classroom. Just how did the schoolhouse clock get its name? As the teacher instructed the students to work quietly on their own students would look up furtively … More The schoolhouse clock – how it got its name
Putting together a list of all the clocks I desire really appeals to me. The more I research the antique and vintage clock world the more discerning I have become as a collector. Most clock collectors evolve as their tastes change and after collecting for more than 10 years I have changed my thinking on … More My antique and vintage clock wish list
Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clock, issues you might have had, challenges you face or a clock you would like me to profile and my responses to your questions with advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that stump … More Tick Talk Tuesday #25 – broken suspension spring on Vedette clock
Back in December 2019, I wrote about the challenges of adjusting the strike side of this attractive parlour clock, a Waterbury York, circa 1900. Despite many attempts the strike side refused to work. Though I was close to a solution but I did not realize it at the time. I put it aside to think … More Waterbury York parlour clock – a fresh approach to addressing a non-functioning strike side
In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 I receive letters from all over the world asking my advice on a number of clock issues such as how a particular component of a mechanical clock should work, a clock repair challenge, … More Search for my past clock articles using keywords
In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 My daughter found this vintage Sessions electric table clock, a model 3W and gave it to me as a Christmas gift. It is made, by the Sessions Clock Co. Forestville, Connecticut in 1936 … More Sessions electric table clock refinishing – a father-daughter project
In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 Tick Talk Tuesday #24 – key required for family clock. Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clock, issues you might have had, … More Tick Talk Tuesday #24 – key required for family clock
In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 The movement in this Canada Clock Co. time and (hour) strike cottage clock from the late 1880s is a mess but fixable. Some past repairs are acceptable while other leave a lot to … More Canada Clock Co. – a frustrating movement
events, fun
A blog on creative possibilities by a writer and musician.
Welcome to an attempt at capturing some of my everyday highlights: small, big, roaming, breathing, flying, floating, absorbing, learning, listening, laughing, crying, gaining, giving, living. Usually published on Sundays, depicting the week or month gone by. Hope you enjoy the words & visuals! Cheers, Camilla
Collecting, repairing and restoring antique and vintage mechanical clocks
Seventeenth- and eighteenth-century English and Irish furniture &c.
See that best, See the Ancient
Largest collection of Bulldog Collectables & Museum Listed
events, fun
A blog on creative possibilities by a writer and musician.
Welcome to an attempt at capturing some of my everyday highlights: small, big, roaming, breathing, flying, floating, absorbing, learning, listening, laughing, crying, gaining, giving, living. Usually published on Sundays, depicting the week or month gone by. Hope you enjoy the words & visuals! Cheers, Camilla
Collecting, repairing and restoring antique and vintage mechanical clocks
Seventeenth- and eighteenth-century English and Irish furniture &c.
See that best, See the Ancient
Largest collection of Bulldog Collectables & Museum Listed
"Cel mai bun lucru la colecţionarea mărcilor poştale este că entuziasmul care apare în tinereţe creşte cu trecerea anilor" (Harry D. Thorsen)
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