Category: antique

Tick-Talk Tuesday

Tick Talk Tuesday #45 – what is my clock worth

March 28, 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 #45 – what is my clock worth

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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

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Why Age Alone Does Not Determine the Value of an Antique Clock

March 21, 2023

I receive mail from folks who are often surprised the antique clock they just purchased has less value than they think when provided with an explanation. Throughout history, people have often equated age with value. It is a common assumption that an object or idea that has been around for a long time must be … More Why Age Alone Does Not Determine the Value of an Antique Clock

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Screw drivers, clock tools

More advanced clock repair tools for the budget minded and those of you who can afford the extra cost

March 17, 2023

Antique clocks are not only valuable as historical artifacts but also as complex machines that require precise repair and maintenance. To ensure their longevity and functionality, clock repairers need to have access to advanced tools that can help them diagnose and fix various issues. From ultrasonic cleaners to digital calipers, the modern clock repairer has … More More advanced clock repair tools for the budget minded and those of you who can afford the extra cost

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Restoring an Antique Sessions Schoolhouse Clock: Repairing Bushing Wear and Overcoming Common Issues

March 14, 2023

Bushing wear is a common issue that can occur on antique brass clock movements. A bushing is a small hole drilled into the plate that is used to support the pivots and reduce friction between the pivots and the clock’s plates. Over time, the bushings can become worn down or damaged due to friction, which … More Restoring an Antique Sessions Schoolhouse Clock: Repairing Bushing Wear and Overcoming Common Issues

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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

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Between the plates Vienna Regulator

Vienna Regulator – the pinnacle of clock artistry

March 3, 2023

Vienna regulator weight-driven wall clocks are a type of mechanical clock that originated in Austria in the mid-19th century. These clocks are named after the city of Vienna, where they were first produced and gained popularity throughout Europe. They are known for their unique design, which features a long, slender case with a glass door … More Vienna Regulator – the pinnacle of clock artistry

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William McLachlan – Scottish clockmaker – what ChatGPT taught me

February 24, 2023

Confronted with the prospect of finding little else about William McLachlan I was curious about how ChatGPT might help. Read on and you will find the results quite interesting. First of all, what is ChatGPT? ChatGPT is a sophisticated computer program that is designed to understand natural language input from users and generate appropriate (my … More William McLachlan – Scottish clockmaker – what ChatGPT taught me

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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

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Scottish tall case clock – who was Wm. McLachlan of Newton Stewart?

February 17, 2023

Since winning this tall-case clock at auction in the spring of 2020 I have been intrigued about its origin. The information provided at the time was that it was made in Scotland or England in or around the mid-1800s but it could not have been made after 1852 as I will explain later. Its features … More Scottish tall case clock – who was Wm. McLachlan of Newton Stewart?

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Periodicals from 15-20 years ago donated by a blog fan – what to do with them

February 3, 2023

A blog fan contacted me recently and asked me if I wanted literally hundreds of old clock periodicals and bulletins. I thought about it and knew that some of the periodicals would have some value to me as a clock repairer and restorer. And I was not wrong! The story is that the donor did … More Periodicals from 15-20 years ago donated by a blog fan – what to do with them

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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?

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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

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After veneer repairs, the Hamilton ogee case is finished

January 24, 2023

Just before Christmas 2022, I published an article on a Hamilton Clock Co. 30-hour ogee that I won at auction earlier in 2022. I had been delaying repairs on the case for months and finally found the time to tackle the veneer work. I seem to be strangely attracted to ogee clocks, this is my … More After veneer repairs, the Hamilton ogee case is finished

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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

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Merry Christmas to clock lovers everywhere

December 25, 2022

The last three years of uncertainty have taught us to be very thankful for family, friends, and relationships. We are back to some semblance of normality this year although the flu season is certainly upon us. Wishing you all health and happiness during the Christmas season. My kids stress every year over what to get … More Merry Christmas to clock lovers everywhere

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Hamilton Clock Co. ogee – a dull and tired case needs help

December 23, 2022

Should antique clock cases be refinished or rejuvenated? It can be a judgement call. I am all for patina and preserving an old clock case but there are times when certain amount of intervention is practical from an aesthetics and resale point of view. There is a certain philosophical argument among collectors who believe on … More Hamilton Clock Co. ogee – a dull and tired case needs help

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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)

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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

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