Category: American clock

The Value of Saving Old Clock Parts: You never know when you may need that difficult to source part

May 23, 2023

Repurposing old antique clock parts can offer numerous benefits. For clock repair persons, these parts can serve as a convenient source for replacement components. All clock repair persons consider this to be a best practice because it is sustainable, reduces waste, and conserves valuable resources. Repurposing also provides an affordable means of obtaining rare and … More The Value of Saving Old Clock Parts: You never know when you may need that difficult to source part

Tick Talk Tuesday

Tick Talk Tuesday #47 Mason and Sullivan movement in a grandfather clock

May 16, 2023

Tick-Talk Tuesday is dedicated to addressing readers’ letters and comments related to clock issues, challenges, and recommendations for specific clocks. In cases where the comments and questions are particularly challenging, I seek advice from my fellow clock enthusiasts to provide the most accurate and helpful response. DH writes I am the executor of an estate … More Tick Talk Tuesday #47 Mason and Sullivan movement in a grandfather clock

Tips for Antique Shop Proprietors when selling antique clocks (and other items)

May 5, 2023

As an avid antique shopper, I understand the thrill of finding a unique and valuable item, especially at a reasonable price. However, on my recent visit to a local antique shop, I found items priced far above their actual value, which was a disappointment. I expect antique store prices to be slightly higher to cover … More Tips for Antique Shop Proprietors when selling antique clocks (and other items)

Tick-Talk Tuesday

Tick Talk Tuesday #46 – I’m looking at a grandfather clock

April 4, 2023

Tick-Talk Tuesday is dedicated to addressing readers’ letters and comments related to clock issues, challenges, and recommendations for specific clocks. In cases where the comments and questions are particularly challenging, I seek advice from my fellow clock enthusiasts to provide the most accurate and helpful response. It is important to respond to emails from interested … More Tick Talk Tuesday #46 – I’m looking at a grandfather clock

Rare Ingraham Huron found on a local online for-sale site

Antique Clock Buying Guide: Tips and Advice for Finding Your Perfect clock

March 24, 2023

Antique clocks come in a wide variety of styles, makers, and materials, and can range in price from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars. Whether you’re a collector, a history buff, or simply appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of antique timepieces, buying an antique clock requires careful consideration and research. In this … More Antique Clock Buying Guide: Tips and Advice for Finding Your Perfect clock

Time only movement for a wall clock

A diminutive schoolhouse clock by Sessions

March 7, 2023

The Sessions Clock Company of America was one of the leading clock manufacturers in the United States in the early 20th century. Founded in 1903 by William E. Sessions and Aaron Lufkin Dennison in Forestville, Connecticut, the company quickly gained a reputation for producing clocks that were both reliable and affordable. Over the years, the … More A diminutive schoolhouse clock by Sessions

Sessions Grand Assortment – finally completed!

February 28, 2023

I am not a huge fan of gingerbread clocks which were very popular in America at the turn of the 20th century. Every major manufacturer made them and they sold like hotcakes. Thousands have survived and a quick perusal of online auction sites any day of the week will reveal dozens if not hundreds of … More Sessions Grand Assortment – finally completed!

Jerome & Co. Rose Cottage clock – dial work completed

February 21, 2023

I was very close to trashing this little Jerome & Co. time-only cottage clock but decided to give myself a real challenge and bring the clock back to something presentable. So far the project is progressing reasonably well. The door trim has been completed, and the movement has been serviced. Serviced in the spring of … More Jerome & Co. Rose Cottage clock – dial work completed

Jerome cottage clock – progress so far

February 7, 2023

It is always challenging to find time to work on projects when life is busy. I picked up some part-time work this winter, teaching at a community college so between that my clock hobby teaching has taken precedence, for now. Since the post on extreme restoration a week or so ago, I have continued planning … More Jerome cottage clock – progress so far

Jerome Rose Cottage clock – a candidate for extreme restoration?

January 31, 2023

What to do with this cute Jerome & Co. CA 1870 cottage clock? I worked on the movement in the spring of 2022 and even at that point I was not sure what to do with the clock case. The tiny movement intrigued me and I wanted to have it running but the case – … More Jerome Rose Cottage clock – a candidate for extreme restoration?

Welch Marine clock – let’s call it a work in progress

January 27, 2023

Last week (January 20, 2023) I wrote about a wonderful little marine clock that I have just not had the time to service completely. A few weeks ago I cleaned the movement and polished the pivots and left it. All that was left was the bushing work. I spent a few hours on it today … More Welch Marine clock – let’s call it a work in progress

Seth Thomas round top shelf clock – simplicity is its strongest suit

January 13, 2023

Ah, the days when clock companies put a little time and effort into their designs. The Seth Thomas company, in its heyday, produced many attractive clocks and this eight-day shelf clock is one of the finest examples of the 1870s. It is a rather large round top shelf clock measuring 15 inches in height, 10 … More Seth Thomas round top shelf clock – simplicity is its strongest suit

Stripping a clock case is a travesty, or is it?

January 10, 2023

I have saved a few clocks that were one step closer to a garbage bin by taking an aggressive approach to clock case restoration. Is stripping a clock case a travesty? Firstly, I am not a huge fan of gingerbread clocks which were very popular in America at the turn of the 20th century. Every … More Stripping a clock case is a travesty, or is it?

30-hour Welch Marine clock loses 10 minutes per hour

January 3, 2023

Ten minutes per hour! That is slow. American-made spring driven clocks are poor timekeepers and if yours loses or gains a minute or two a week that is just about the best you can expect. After having worked on the case a few months ago it is past time to work on the movement. The … More 30-hour Welch Marine clock loses 10 minutes per hour

A very special Waterbury wall clock – my grandfather’s kitchen clock (a personal journey)

December 19, 2022

The Waterbury clock hanging in my office brings back memories of my grandfather, a man I wish I had known better. Call it one of life’s regrets. Now, I didn’t know my grandfather all that well and I’m not sure that many people did. He was shy and a man of few words. I don’t … More A very special Waterbury wall clock – my grandfather’s kitchen clock (a personal journey)

Sessions time and strike movement with a stiff minute hand

December 16, 2022

Most mechanical clocks have an hour hand concentric with the minute hand with the hour hand making one full turn every twelve hours. The special set of wheels off the centre arbour is called the motion works. Attached to the centre arbour is the minute hand. The hour pipe fits over the centre arbour and … More Sessions time and strike movement with a stiff minute hand

Sessions Westminster chime circa 1931

Tick Talk Tuesday #44 – What can you tell me about this clock?

December 9, 2022

Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from readers concerning clock issues, challenges faced, a clock you would profiled or advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that stump even me, I consult within my clock circles for the best possible answer ED writes Good morning,  I … More Tick Talk Tuesday #44 – What can you tell me about this clock?

Clock face showing moon dial

The grandfather clock that never was – a personal journey

November 28, 2022

In 1981 my wife and I decided to buy a grandfather clock. We were newly married, living in Calgary, Alberta (Canada) at the time, and thought a grandfather clock would look perfect in our spanking new condominium. Grandfather clocks were all the rage back then and every home had to have one. Indeed, it was … More The grandfather clock that never was – a personal journey

Seth Thomas clock face

My first antique clock – a Seth Thomas Adamantine mantel clock

November 25, 2022

I have been collecting clocks for over twenty years and for the past 11 years I have been building my collection of vintage and antique clocks, repairing them, and restoring them. I often reflect back to that first “real” antique clock that my wife and I purchased at an antique store in Blockhouse, Nova Scotia … More My first antique clock – a Seth Thomas Adamantine mantel clock

Ansonia Drop Extra wall clock

The time-only clock – simplicity without the noise

November 18, 2022

People often tell me that they could never have an old-fashioned antique clock in their home because of the noise. And by noise, they are not so much disturbed by the ticking sound as they are about the sound a clock makes on the quarter, half, or on the hour, in other words, a striking … More The time-only clock – simplicity without the noise

Sessions Mission style clock – an interesting challenge to what should have been a routine servicing

November 11, 2022

This is the only mission-style clock in my collection. Made by the Sessions Clock Co. of America in or about the 1920s it reflects classic Mission design and is rather attractive. I was not searching for this clock but a $10 find in a Pembroke, Ontario thrift shop is hard to pass up. Though this … More Sessions Mission style clock – an interesting challenge to what should have been a routine servicing

Repairing a loose hour hand on a weight-driven banjo

October 17, 2022

The hour hand is loose on my unmarked circa 1840s banjo clock. It is an unusual problem and I can’t say I have ever come across an issue like this in my years of clock repair. It is supposed to friction fit on the hour pipe but the hand is definitely quite loose. I have … More Repairing a loose hour hand on a weight-driven banjo

Sessions Mission style wall clock – past shoddy repairs make servicing a challenge

October 7, 2022

Between 1903 and 1933 the Sessions Clock Company of America produced 52 models of mechanical clocks ranging from simple mantel clocks and shelf clocks to wall or “regulator” clocks all designed for the home or small businesses. Found in many homes across America Sessions clocks were regarded as relatively inexpensive, simple in design, and decently … More Sessions Mission style wall clock – past shoddy repairs make servicing a challenge

Mission style wall clock from Sessions – first look

September 30, 2022

Once the Sessions Clock Co acquired E. N. Welch assets in 1902 (for more on the history of E. N. Welch Clock Co. go here) the company was well on its way to becoming one of the biggest clock producers in America. Production began in 1903 and between that time and 1933 Sessions produced 52 models … More Mission style wall clock from Sessions – first look

Clock books added to the library

September 26, 2022

Whether you are working on your first clock movement or have repaired dozens, resources, I believe, are essential. There is only so much information gained from a YouTube video, antique clock information site or how-to instructional resources online. Sadly some information is just plain wrong. There comes a point in time when you simply must … More Clock books added to the library