The antique clock and the dilemma of identity. Some may feel this is much ado about nothing but discussion on identity and antique clocks tends to prompt a lot of debate. Let me explain. Let’s say you are looking for that particular antique clock and you think you have finally found it. The photos look … More The antique clock and the dilemma of identity
Over the summer of 2020, I was asked to service a friend’s clock. It is an attractive machine-carved oak Ansonia Syria parlour clock in the popular Arts and Crafts style of the late 19th century. It has great sentimental value to my friend but she recognized that it was in need of adjustment or repair. … More Ansonia Syria parlour clock – Part II
Over the summer I was asked to service a friend’s clock. It is an attractive machine-carved oak Ansonia Syria parlour clock in the popular Arts and Crafts style of the late 19th century. ”my poor clock needs a good servicing and cleaning. It runs slow, eg. I set it and would it on Sunday and … More Ansonia Syria parlour clock – a favour for a friend – Part 1
A 400-day clock, also known as a torsion clock, is a type of mechanical clock designed to run for about a year (400 days) on a single winding. It features a unique suspension system, where a rotating pendulum or torsion spring controls the movement. The clock’s long running time is achieved through a very slow, … More Horolovar guide and how to determine the correct suspension spring for a 400 day clock
The final step in the repair/restoration of my tall case clock are the top finials. This clock had top corner finials at one point in its life. There is evidence that something was there on either side of the crown. I have no idea what they might have looked like but judging from photos of … More Scottish tall case clock with new top finials
Some time ago I wrote an article on an interesting acquisition, an Ansonia Extra Drop, a true barn find. This Ansonia Extra Drop time-only Rosewood veneered wall clock was manufactured in the early 1880s by what was then known as the Ansonia Brass and Copper Company. It was in pretty rough shape when I bought … More Ansonia Drop Extra does not run and a rusty mainspring is the culprit
On the bench is an Arthur Pequegnat time and strike kitchen clock which is part of the popular Maple Leaf series produced up to 1941 when the company closed its doors for good. In Part I of this two-part series I discussed disassembly and assessment of the work to be done. In this Part II … More Pequegnat kitchen clock servicing – Part II – cleaning, pivot polishing, bushing work and testing
On the bench is an Arthur Pequegnat time and strike kitchen clock which is part of the popular Maple Leaf series produced up to 1941. Among collectors it is know as the “Pointed Top”. This Canadian made clock was bought at an antique store in Bloomfield, Ontario the summer of 2018 and presumably spent its … More Pequegnat kitchen clock servicing – Part I – disassembly and assessment
It is time to service this very fine German box clock by U. M. Muller. I have been stalling for too long. I am a little leery because the last time I worked on one of these the strike tension spring broke (my fault) so I made a promise to be more careful this time. … More Uhrenfabrik Mühlheim, Müller & Co box clock – servicing the movement
To Canadian clock collectors, Arthur Pequegnat are clocks highly regarded. Irrespective of model names they are generally classified as either “Berlin” or “Kitchener”. The Arthur Pequegnat Bedford is a Kitchener clock. Let me explain. Although it is impossible to date Pequegnat clocks to the exact year of production, the name Berlin distinguishes clocks made before … More Pequegnat Bedford – servicing the movement
It is time to service the movement on this mid-thirties German box clock. It was purchased at an antique mall in Peterborough, Ontario in May of 2017, and other than oiling, nothing has been done to it. While it has been running well since then, it is due for servicing. Plus, this little project is … More Mauthe box clock movement servicing
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 Selling an antique mechanical clock – preparation and advertising – how to
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
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 discuss what it means to service … More Service intervals for antique and vintage mechanical clocks?
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
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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