Author: rjoiner2021

I reside in a small community just outside Truro, Nova Scotia. I am a retired community college criminal justice professor. My interests include clock collecting & repair, photography, and international travel. The world of horology has opened up interesting opportunities for me. As I build my collection of clocks, repair and restoration have become an integral part of my hobby. Please leave a comment on my blog or email me privately about any question(s) you might have on this post or others.

Built to Last? Comparing Antique and Vintage Clock Movements

July 18, 2025

Having worked on a number of German and American clock movements recently, I began reflecting on the differences in design philosophy, construction methods, and overall durability between modern German movements from the past 30 to 40 years and American movements made over a century ago. These comparisons reveal not just technical contrasts but also shifting … More Built to Last? Comparing Antique and Vintage Clock Movements

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Looking Beyond the Surface: How Survivorship Bias Shapes Our View of Antique Clocks

July 11, 2025

If you’ve ever browsed an antique shop or clock auction and marveled at the craftsmanship of century-old clocks, you might find yourself thinking: “They sure made things better back then.” And while that’s sometimes true — many antique clocks were built with care and skill — there’s a hidden trap in that assumption. It’s called … More Looking Beyond the Surface: How Survivorship Bias Shapes Our View of Antique Clocks

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Arthur Pequegant Brandon II

10 years of Clock Blogging | What I’ve Learned Along the Way

July 8, 2025

How It All Began: My First Steps with WordPress Ten years ago, I attended a staff development conference workshop on WordPress. The instructor promised that by the end of the three-hour session, we would each have a live blog up and running. Wow, now that’s impressive, I thought! I was intrigued and started thinking about … More 10 years of Clock Blogging | What I’ve Learned Along the Way

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Time to Celebrate: A 4th of July Note to My Clock Friends in the U.S.

July 4, 2025

To all my horology friends south of the border—Happy Independence Day! As you gather with friends and family to celebrate the birth of your nation, I wanted to take a moment to salute your enduring love for antique and vintage clocks. Whether you collect Ansonia, Seth Thomas, Gilbert, or Howard, or any of the other … More Time to Celebrate: A 4th of July Note to My Clock Friends in the U.S.

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Dating a Historic Junghans Crispi Wall Clock

July 4, 2025

In the winter of 2017, I took on the restoration of a Junghans Crispi wall clock, made in Schwenningen, Germany. Built in the Vienna Regulator style, the clock came to me as a box of parts—an exciting challenge, especially once I learned of its remarkable history. This clock survived the Halifax Explosion on December 6, … More Dating a Historic Junghans Crispi Wall Clock

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Our National Day of Canada of celebration is July 1st

July 1, 2025

This post has nothing to do with clock collecting or repair, but why not take a moment to celebrate Canada’s 158th birthday? On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty’s loving subjects throughout Canada to join in celebrating the anniversary of the formation of the … More Our National Day of Canada of celebration is July 1st

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A.G.U. Lenzkirch: Rare Opportunity to Own a Historic Clock Trademark

June 27, 2025

Over the years, I’ve explored countless stories tied to the world of horology, but few carry the prestige, legacy, and craftsmanship of A.G.U. Lenzkirch, one of the oldest and most respected German clockmaking brands. While there is much more to say about this iconic name, I’ve prepared a brief summary—based on information provided by brand … More A.G.U. Lenzkirch: Rare Opportunity to Own a Historic Clock Trademark

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Common Reasons Your Clock Is Running Slow

June 24, 2025

There are four general categories of clocks: quartz, electro-mechanical, electric, and mechanical. Mechanical clocks—whether antique or vintage—are the focus of this discussion on why a clock might run slowly. We’ve become accustomed to the accuracy of quartz clocks, which lose or gain only milliseconds per week. Contrast that with an era when people were content … More Common Reasons Your Clock Is Running Slow

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Buying Antique Clocks: The Truth About ‘Fully Serviced’ Claims

June 17, 2025

If you spend any amount of time browsing online marketplaces for antique or vintage clocks, you’ll quickly become familiar with a common phrase: “Fully serviced and tested to ensure reliable running.” It sounds reassuring. But what does fully serviced really mean? As it turns out, the answer can vary greatly depending on who’s doing the … More Buying Antique Clocks: The Truth About ‘Fully Serviced’ Claims

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What Makes a Clock Antique or Vintage?

June 13, 2025

Perhaps you already have a good sense of what you consider “antique” versus “vintage.” But after years of poking around the internet looking for interesting old clocks, I keep seeing confusion over these terms. So, maybe it’s not as clear-cut as we think. Let’s start with the word “antique.” According to the United States Government … More What Makes a Clock Antique or Vintage?

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Why You Should Avoid Buying Chinese-Made Mechanical Clocks

June 10, 2025

As a clock enthusiast, collector, or someone simply looking to purchase a dependable antique or vintage clock, it’s natural to consider all your options. Chinese-made mechanical clocks are often attractively priced and readily available through online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and eBay, but before clicking “Buy Now,” it’s worth understanding why many horologists and repair … More Why You Should Avoid Buying Chinese-Made Mechanical Clocks

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The Unique Charm of Mauthe Buffet Clocks

June 6, 2025

Mauthe mantel clocks are widely available in various shapes and sizes, often appearing on online marketplaces, at garage sales, flea markets, and in antique shops. However, not all are well-preserved—many show signs of age and neglect. This particular round-top mantel clock stands out for its excellent condition, especially considering its age. While commonly referred to … More The Unique Charm of Mauthe Buffet Clocks

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Junghans Crispi dial face

Closing In on a Cure: The Ongoing Battle with a Junghans Crispi Movement

June 3, 2025

Back in 2017, I took on the restoration of a Junghans Crispi wall clock—a project that began with enthusiasm but has since tested my patience more than once. While the case restoration went smoothly, the movement has been another story. Despite professional servicing, bushing work, and later my own repair attempts, the strike side has … More Closing In on a Cure: The Ongoing Battle with a Junghans Crispi Movement

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From Holocaust Survivor to Canadian Visionary: The Story of Craftline Industries

May 30, 2025

In an era when Canadian furniture manufacturers were struggling to compete with international imports, one company stood out not just for its elegant craftsmanship but for the remarkable story behind its founder. Craftline Industries, established in Toronto during the mid-20th century, was the brainchild of Manny Drukier, a Holocaust survivor whose vision, ingenuity, and resilience … More From Holocaust Survivor to Canadian Visionary: The Story of Craftline Industries

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Join the Antique Clock Community: Share and Learn

May 27, 2025

Hi there, and welcome to my little corner of the internet! My name is Ron Joiner, and for the past twenty years, I’ve been an avid hobbyist and collector in the world of antique and vintage clocks. What started as a curiosity has grown into a deep passion for the intricate movements and rich history of these … More Join the Antique Clock Community: Share and Learn

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Tick Talk Tuesday

Tick Talk Tuesday #58 | A Beautiful, But Not Perfect Clock

May 23, 2025

I receive a number of letters each day from clock enthusiasts, first-time buyers, and people who have inherited family clocks, among others. Typically, I share these letters—while keeping the writer’s identity and location confidential. However, in this case, I’ve chosen not to publish the letter, as doing so would reveal both the sender’s identity and … More Tick Talk Tuesday #58 | A Beautiful, But Not Perfect Clock

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the lake

Summer Slowdown – But Not For Antiquevintageclock.com

May 20, 2025

It’s time to relax and slow down. For my wife and me, that means a welcome change of scenery as we travel to our cottage in central Canada to spend the summer season with friends and family. Our summer getaway includes relaxing with a few good books, fishing, swimming, hiking, and sharing stories with friends … More Summer Slowdown – But Not For Antiquevintageclock.com

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Uncovering Craftline Industries: A Canadian Producer of Grandfather Clocks | A Prelude to an Upcoming Feature Story

May 16, 2025

Normally, my blog articles are a quick 3 to 5-minute read and include visuals to engage the reader. Within the next two weeks or so, I will be publishing a more in-depth article on Craftline Industries, a Canadian furniture and grandfather clock maker that was very active from the 1960s through the early 1990s. If … More Uncovering Craftline Industries: A Canadian Producer of Grandfather Clocks | A Prelude to an Upcoming Feature Story

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How to Safely Remove a Clock Movement from Its Case

May 13, 2025

If you’re new to clock repair or restoration, one of the first hands-on steps you’ll encounter is removing the movement from its case. This process needs to be done with care to avoid damaging delicate components. Start by taking several clear photos of the clock from all angles—front, back, sides, and inside. These images will … More How to Safely Remove a Clock Movement from Its Case

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How the Local Environment Affects the Longevity of a Mechanical Clock

May 6, 2025

The local environment is arguably the most influential factor in determining how long a mechanical clock will run smoothly between services. While mechanical wear and oil breakdown are inevitable over time, environmental conditions can either hasten or significantly slow down the aging process of a clock movement. Modern Homes: Controlled Yet Not Perfect In today’s … More How the Local Environment Affects the Longevity of a Mechanical Clock

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Junghans Crispi dial face

Crispi Wall Clock Movement by Junghans | My Nemesis

April 29, 2025

I have never been completely happy with how the movement runs in this Junghans Crispi wall clock. When I got the clock in 2017, I jumped right into restoring the case because it was an interesting challenge to put the clock together from a bunch of parts. Now, eight years later, the clock continues to … More Crispi Wall Clock Movement by Junghans | My Nemesis

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