Hi readers, in light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 Dating a clock can be a challenge and often an estimate within a range of dates is the best that can be accomplished. Dating some clocks can be relatively easy as … More Dating an antique Gothic Steeple Manross clock
The disassembly of an antique tall case clock need not be a daunting task. When I bought this clock at auction at the beginning of 2020 I put into practice some of the things I had learned when transporting a Ridgeway grandfather clock in 2013. My advice is to work slowly and methodically but think … More Disassembling an antique tall case clock
While waiting for movement parts I continued to work on the case of this antique Canadian cottage clock from the mid 1880s. The dial needs attention and in this article I will describe the procedures for in-painting the numerals and decorative elements. Decorative hand-painted antique dials need attention from time to time. Through environment and … More Canada Clock Co. Hamilton Cottage Extra – dial in-painting
For the past several years my wife and I have been searching for an authentic antique tall case clock. I finally found one at an estate auction an hour down the road from where I live and seized the opportunity to purchase a clock I knew practically nothing about. In this blog article, I will … More Scottish tall case clock circa 1850s
Servicing this clock from the Canada Clock Company was a real challenge as I encountered many issues that conspired to slow my progress. I found this clock in an antique shop in downtown Truro, Nova Scotia at basically a give-away price. The seller knew nothing about the Canada Clock Co. and that was fine with … More Canada Clock Co. – 30 hour time and strike needs some love
Why does a mechanical clock movement require servicing? The answer is fairly straight forward. Keeping your clock in good running condition requires maintaining the movement’s working parts and maintaining the working parts reduces wear. Ideally, most clocks should be serviced every three to five years to maximize longevity and ensure proper functioning. This article describes … More Seven steps to servicing an antique or vintage clock movement
In this, Part II of my Seth Thomas time and strike shelf clock servicing I discuss bushing work, cleaning, final assembly and testing. In Part I, my observations (and preliminary repairs) concerning my Seth Thomas round top shelf clock were as follows.
Let me begin by saying that I love antique stores and I spend a considerable amount of time in them. While I don’t always buy, if I see something I try to get a fair price. Browsing through the aisles looking for that unique, one of a kind item can be a very satisfying experience. … More Dealing with antique stores – a rant
This rather plain, box-like 8-day hour strike Rosewood veneered shelf clock is up for servicing. This is Part II of a two-part series. Go to Part I to read my notes and observations while disassembling the movement and the initial steps required to bring the clock to running condition. The movement is in reasonably good … More E N Welch Cottage Extra servicing Part II – cleaning, bushing and testing
This rather plain, box-like 8-day hour strike shelf clock is up for servicing. I wrote about first impressions in Sept 2019 and said at that time that the clock is in reasonably good condition, runs well, but needs a good cleaning.
Among the most respected and prolific American clockmakers is the Seth Thomas Clock Co. of America. Every collector I know has at least one Seth Thomas clock in their collection. My modest collection consists of six Seth Thomas clocks representing several styles, all unique and from the period 1865 to 1930. This is a Seth … More A veneer repair can make a difference on a Seth Thomas shelf clock
If you live in the Maritimes provinces of Canada and are keenly interested in vintage and antique clock and watch collecting and repair this will be of interest to you. On November 2-3, 2019 the Maritime Association of Watch and Clock Collectors held its inaugural meeting. Five members came together from various parts of the … More The Maritime Association of Watch and Clock Collectors – Join Today
I am a big fan of weight driven clocks and will add them to my collection when time, opportunity and finances allow. There are generally 2 categories of motive power for mechanical clocks. The energy required to run a clock is provided either by a spring or a weight. Most of my collection is spring-driven … More 10 weight driven clocks in my collection
Every now and then a clock is temperamental. I am not talking about the signs of wear that will certainly stop a clock but occasionally it is serviced, everything looks good but it is downright cantankerous. Anyone who has 400-day anniversary clocks knows exactly what I mean. Are clocks moody? I relocated my unmarked Vienna … More Are clocks temperamental? Is my one-weight Vienna Regulator moody?
This interesting Rosewood veneered round top, mirrored tablet shelf clock appears to be a Jerome in name only. It is not a fake or marriage but a curious product of early to mid-1870s marketing. But first, a little Jerome history. One might be tempted to assume that this clock is associated with Chauncey Jerome, one … More Is it a Jerome & Co. clock or something else entirely?
How you ever wondered what keeps antique mechanical clocks going? It’s a miracle they work at all when they are as worn as this one. Most old clocks I come across have common issues, dirty, oily movements and worn pivot holes here and there. Generally, all they need is a bushing or two and a … More Jerome and Co. mantel clock – success at last
This attractive parlour clock, a Waterbury York, circa 1900, was bought at auction in the spring of 2019. Though inexpensive it is certainly worth servicing which is the subject of this article. The time side was running but the strike side did not function at all. Usually these sorts of problems amount to simple lever … More Waterbury York parlour clock servicing – a few surprises but ultimately a disappointment
Every blogger knows that it takes time to build a popular blog and unless you have a surefire winning formula right off the mark it takes months if not years to build a loyal following. Many blogs fail within the first few months out of frustration yet patience, determination and some hard work is all … More Top ten blog articles of all time – my blog, of course
My wife’s aunt lives in a quaint home near a small town in the south of Ireland. During our recent visit to Ireland we were invited to her home, had tea and cake and had a long talk about family history. While there I was asked to take a look at the family clock which … More Aunt Theresa’s mantel clock
When I bought this clock I was not sure what I had. There is no label, no makers name on the dial and an unsigned movement. I thought, Gilbert or perhaps a Sessions? It did not take me long to find out that the clock is a No. 3027 Gilbert, otherwise known as the Admiral.
“I have a sterling silver collection”, she said, “that my son will melt down and sell for cash” once I am gone My sister, who is a couple of years younger and “was” an avid antique collector, remarked the other day that she has stopped collecting antiques. Why, I asked. There is no one to … More Destroying the past is not something new
During our stay in Springfield Ma. to attend a NAWCC annual clock convention in June 2019 we stopped in Bristol, Connecticut about 45 minutes drive south of Springfield. In Bristol, Connecticut is the American Clock and Watch Museum. The non-descript white clapboard New England styled salt-box is what first greets the visitor. Although the museum … More American Clock and Watch Museum – a must-see for any clock enthusiast
Chauncey Jerome along with his brother Noble introduced the first mass-produced brass movement in 1839 two years after the depression of 1837 knocked out 90% of factories in the Northeast (New England States). The 30-hour brass movement was rugged, cheap to repair and not subject to swelling found in wood movement clocks. Despite business ups … More Jerome & Co. round top shelf clock – first impressions
Reader EW asked me if I wanted a second Westclox LaSalle 61C alarm clock. Yes, I said, of course. I was advised of the condition of the clock beforehand so there was no surprise when it arrived in the mail. The important distinction between my clock and the new arrival is that the new one … More 2 Westclox LaSalle 61C clocks combined to make one working clock
A clock club for the Maritimes – why not! After having attended a NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors) May 2019 chapter meeting in Ottawa and the 2019 NAWCC National Convention in June of this year I began to wonder why there is no NAWCC representation in the Maritime provinces of Canada (Nova … More Maritimes clock club – Interested?
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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