Every so often, a clock turns up that makes you stop and think, “Well, that’s something you don’t see every day.” That was certainly the case when WT of Peterborough, Ontario, sent me pictures of an interesting find—a Hamilton Clock Co., rather ordinary-looking short-drop schoolhouse-style wall clock with an unusual twist. At first glance, the … More An Odd But Very Rare Hamilton Clock Co. Wall Clock
One clock that’s high on my wish list is the Arthur Pequegnat Regulator No. 1. It’s a single-weight, 8-day, time-only wall clock, and it’s a rare one. Every so often I’ll see one for sale, but the price tags are usually well out of my reach—for now, anyway. Pequegnat as a clock company was Canada’s … More The Arthur Pequegnat Regulator No. 1: A Canadian Collector’s Dream
Mention of the Blackforest Clock Company immediately brings to mind the Black Forest region in Germany. However, Blackforest was actually a Canadian clock company founded in 1928 in Toronto, Ontario, by Austrian immigrants Leopold and Sara Stossel. The company initially imported both clock movements and complete clocks from Germany, marketing them through department stores and … More A Simple Mantel Clock Made by the Blackforest Clock Company
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
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
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
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
For clock collectors, presentation is just as important as the clocks themselves. A well-arranged collection not only enhances a space but also invites conversation and appreciation. While some collectors prefer to distribute their clocks throughout their home, others opt to showcase them all in one dedicated space. Regardless of your approach, thoughtful arrangement can make … More How to Arrange Antique Clocks for Maximum Impact
While working on my Pequegnat Bedford mantel clock recently, I made an unexpected discovery about the dial and bezel. I had always assumed the six-inch dial was original to the clock, believing it to be an anomaly or a one-off, as every other Bedford I’ve seen features a five-inch dial. Adding to the intrigue, I … More Repairing The Dial bezel Hinge On A Pequegnat Bedford
I have a collection of 11 Arthur Pequegnat clocks, including three beautiful wall clocks which you can view on this 5-minute YouTube video. I have written extensively about the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company, but to summarize: the company was founded in Berlin, Ontario (renamed Kitchener in 1917) in 1904 and produced its final clock in … More Watch My Short Video on all the Arthur Pequegnat Clocks in My Collection
After working on the dial of a Pequegnat Jewel mantel clock, I was very pleased with the results of the repaint. While the detailing may not withstand close scrutiny, the clock looks excellent from a comfortable distance. When I brought the clock home, it appeared that a previous owner, frustrated by the loss of some … More Why I Changed My Mind About the Dial Bezel on a Pequegnat Jewel Mantel Clock
As we enter a new year it is time to look back on the adventures and milestones I’ve experienced in the world of antique and vintage clock collecting and repair in the past year. 2024 has been one of discovery, growth, and deepening appreciation for the art of horology. Over the past year, I have … More Reflections on a Year of Clock Collecting and Less Time Repairing
In Part I of this series, I shared my approach to restoring a clock dial through a process called inpainting. Inpainting is but one solution to the problem of a ruined dial. To restore a clock dial by bringing it back to its original state involves carefully mixing paint to match the original tones, gradually … More Pequegnat Jewel Dial Restoration | A Case For Inpainting | Part II
As I continue to build my Pequegnat clock collection, I always seize a good deal when I find one, and the Jewel was too good to pass up. You might be wondering, what exactly is a Pequegnat clock and where does the Jewel fit into their model lineup? A Pequegnat clock refers to clocks produced … More Pequegnat Jewel Dial Restoration | A Case For Inpainting | Part I
My sister, who’s just a couple of years younger and was once an avid collector of antiques, recently shared something that’s been weighing on my mind. She told me that she’s stopped collecting, something I never thought I’d hear from her. “There’s no one to leave them to, no one who will appreciate them,” she … More The Future of Antique Clocks: A Call to Appreciate Our Past
Some time ago, I discussed clock repair in the old days with a horologist acquaintance who completed work on my 138-year-old E. Ingraham Huron mantel clock in my collection. He had just spoken with an 82-year-old friend who spent most of his life in clock repair, reminiscing about how different things were “back in the … More Evolution of Clock Repair: From Tinkerers to Modern Horologists
I recently had the opportunity to expand my collection with more Canadian-made clocks, including a 30-hour Ogee clock produced by the Canada Clock Co. at their Hamilton plant between 1880 and 1884. Canadian clock companies have historically struggled to survive due to fierce competition from American manufacturers. Companies like Westclox in Peterborough survived largely due … More Exploring a 30-hour Ogee clock from the Canada Clock Co. (Hamilton)
I recently added two more Pequegnat clocks to my collection: the Hamilton Tall which you can read about here and the Danby model, which I will be profiling in this article. This brings my total to 12 Arthur Pequegnat clocks. Let’s start with some background on the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Co. and its significance in … More Dandy by Pequegant | An Affordable, Everyday Clock
I recently added two more Pequegnat clocks to my collection: the Dandy model and the Hamilton Tall, the latter of which I will be profiling in this article. I now have a total of 12 Arthur Pequegnat clocks in my possession. For those unfamiliar with the Pequegnat name, the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company is arguably … More Exploring the Iconic Hamilton Tall Clock by Pequegnat
I often wonder about the stories behind my clocks. Antique and vintage clocks evoke a time when life seemed simpler, a stark contrast to today’s frenetic pace. Old clocks serve as living memories, cherished relics of people and places that are long gone but not forgotten. Ideally, they should be passed down through generations. Yet, … More The Stories Behind My Antique and Vintage Clocks
About a year ago, I shifted my focus to collecting clocks made in Canada or those with a Canadian connection. Of course, there are exceptions if a particularly interesting clock comes along. In keeping with my goal, I won three Canadian clocks this week at auction: an Arthur Pequegnat Hamilton “Tall”, an Arthur Pequegant Dandy, … More Three Canadian Antique Clocks Won at Auction
Martin Cheney is not typically the first name that comes to mind when considering the impact of clockmakers on Canadian horology. Martin Cheney, born in 1778, was part of a prominent American clock-making family. He was one of four sons of Benjamin Cheney (1725-1815) and Elizabeth Long Cheney, who hailed from East Hartford, Connecticut. Benjamin … More The Legacy of Martin Cheney: Clock-Making in Early Canada
It’s time to inspect the movement on this mid-thirties German box clock. Purchased at an antique mall in Peterborough, Ontario, in May of 2017, it was serviced in 2020. This clock is part of a small collection at our family cottage and runs for about three months each year. However, the cottage environment can be … More Optimizing Care for a Vintage Mauthe Clock: Inspection and Oiling
The newest addition to my collection of Pequegant clocks is the Jewel. That marks a total of nine Pequegnat clocks in my modest collection. I was not actively seeking a new clock. In fact, I haven’t purchased one in months, and mantel clocks weren’t even on my radar. I bought the Simcoe (above) in 2018 … More The Pequegnat Jewel and the Simcoe – similar yet subtly different
A steeple clock is a type of clock designed to resemble a miniature church steeple or spire. This style of clock is often characterized by its tall and narrow structure. These clocks gained popularity in the mid-19th century and were often produced in various styles. The design was influenced by the Gothic Revival architecture that … More The Steeple Clock – function combines with design
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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