This post explores buying tips for novice antique clock buyers. Those looking for an antique clock in general rather than a specific type or model of an antique mechanical clock will find the following tips very useful. Vintage versus antique According to the United States Government publications, the term “antique” is reserved for valuables that … More Buying an antique clock – how to
In Part I, I wrote why I collect, repair and restore clocks. In this, Part II are 9 reasons why clock collecting and repair is a great hobby for just about anyone. 9 Reasons why clock collecting and repair is a great hobby
This is Part I of a two part series. In Part I, I will discuss why I collect, repair and restore clocks. In Part II are 9 reasons why clock collecting and repair is a great hobby for just about anyone.
I do not normally promote auctions sales and derive no benefit from mentioning them however something special is happening on June 8th 2019. It is not often that so many clocks from one maker are on sale at one specific time. In New hamburg, Ontario (Canada) 200 Arthur Pequegnat clocks are on the auction block. … More Special Pequegnat clock auction on June 8, 2019
This is the only true gingerbread clock I have in my collection, temporarily. By this summer (2019) it will be returned to a family relation. Can you get this thing working, my sister said? Sure, I said. Grand Assortment is an odd name for a Sessions clock, I said. The name certainly lacks imagination, but … More Sessions Grand Assortment #3 gingerbread clock
I discovered this sad case in an antique shop near my home. What was once a gingerbread clock is now a repainted case with shelves at the ridiculous price of $35. Just a few steps away was a similar parlour clock for only $20 more and it was largely intact. Some would argue that a … More What a shame! – a clock disaster
The four free-standing turned columns of the New York style Sperry and Shaw clock immediately drew my attention. The style reflects the decorative period of the Empire style popular in the mid 1850s. In a previous blog post I discussed servicing the movement. I thought long and hard about what to do with the case … More Sperry and Shaw New York Style shelf clock – refreshing the case
I do not come across many antique E Ingraham & Co. clocks and have just one other in my collection, the Huron from 1878, but I came across another recently that I found in a local antique shop. The price was right so, I snapped it up. The”S” shaped logo on the dial led me … More E Ingraham Mystic parlour clock
I was on a Facebook clock collector page recently and I was intrigued by the work someone had done on a clock that was surely destined for the garbage bin. The transformation was given an apt phrase, “Trash to Treasure” and so I thought I would write about my own experiences resurrecting old clocks. Preserving … More Trash to Treasure – when clock restoration is the only option
This is Part II of a three (3) part series. In Part I, I discuss disassembly and servicing the mainsprings. In this, Part II, the movement and in Part III we will look at restoring the brass case. My wife found this 1910 Ansonia Crystal Regulator in the late summer 2018 while antique shopping. What … More Ansonia crystal regulator clock – Part II – the movement
Winter, along with the dry conditions of a typical Canadian home, can play havoc with wooden clock cases. In Canada we generally shut the doors and windows to keep the cold air out from mid November to mid March and we may stay inside for days at a time. During our Canadian winter we have … More Dry home and clock case issues
What other machine have you acquired that has worked continuously since it was made 150 plus years ago and still does the job it was intended for? Mechanical clocks revolutionized people’s perception of time by displaying neutral, uniform units that showed the passage of time. Though not as accurate as the modern electronic timekeeper the … More Appreciating simplicity – the mechanical clock
One cannot deny the classic style of an American Ogee clock. This one is in great shape and required almost nothing to get it to top form. 30-hour shelf clocks are abundant but not many cases survive years of wear and tear. This George H. Clark 30-hour shelf clock is a very good example of … More George H Clark Ogee clock – movement and dial work
Although there are two dozen clock books in my collection I am always on the look out for more. Some of my books profile various types and styles of clocks, some explore the history of horology while others are concerned with clock repair and case restoration. Part of every vacation or daily outing in my … More John Plewes and clock repair – a must have reference for Canadian collectors
Over-winding a clock is a common myth. The world of horology reveals an assortment of interesting expressions as well as the misuse of words and terms. For classic example; why do some refer to shelf clocks as Mantle clocks when a mantel is something you wear like a shawl or a cloak? Mantel, such as … More Over-winding a clock is a myth
The first day of spring is called the vernal equinox (sometimes also referred to as the spring equinox or March equinox) and it is almost always either March 20 or March 21 though it will fall on March 20 for the next two years in a row. The first day of the spring season is … More Spring comes early this year but not by much! Adjust your clocks
In the process of adjusting the strike side on a George H Clark 30-hour clock I decided to make a video showing how to remove and install a 30-hour movement from its case. Part of the video concerns the adjustments required for the clock to run correctly but also shows the steps required to safely … More Removing a 30-hour clock movement from its case – how-to video
On March 10th Daylight Savings Time began at 3:00am in Canada. Over 100 years ago on July 1, 1908, the residents of Port Arthur, Ontario, today’s Thunder Bay, turned their clocks forward by 1 hour to start the world’s first DST period. Spring ahead, Fall behind In Canada we refer to it as Daylight Saving … More Spring ahead – Daylight Savings Time – set your clocks!
Some time ago I bought this movement without a case. Having a movement without a case is like a car engine without the body I discovered this Aug Schatz & Sohne W3 (circa 1960) movement at a local antique store for under CAN$20. My wife said, “You should buy that, maybe you can make a … More Schatz W3 – Installing an 8-rod chime block in a custom made clock case
I’ve thought about this clock, dreamt about it, wondered where it was all these years……and now I have it. I was confident that I could do something with this clock since I had just finished a major restoration project. I had no idea that the clock I was getting was a movement in a homemade … More Lessons learned restoring grandfather’s old clock
Smiths Enfield mantel clocks are highly regarded by beginning clock collectors due to their popularity, abundance, and durable movements. For amateur clock repairers, they offer relatively few challenges. I acquired my Smiths Enfield time-and-strike clock in 2013 from a young clock tinkerer in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, but it was never a reliable runner. It would … More A Smiths Enfield mantel clock comes back to life
I have been collecting clocks for over 8 years. In that time I have enjoyed my hobby immensely and I am constantly on the lookout for new and interesting acquisitions. It is more like a daily passion. However, I now realize that as my collection steadily grows I have more than I need or want. … More A new & exciting direction in clock collecting & repair
Small details added during clock restoration projects can change the appearance of clock in a positive way. In this article I will describe how adding a piece (actually two), that should have there in the first place, will make all the difference. During the fall (2018) I spent a considerable amount of time restoring a … More In clock restoration circles small details can make a big difference
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 #20 Pequegnat Classic mantel clock $6 online purchase
You will not see Geneva stops on many clocks but if you do here is an explanation of how they work and how to set up the stops. Most American clock movements do not use the middle portion of a long & powerful spring but use most, if not all of the mainspring. Geneva stops … More What is this clock thing for? #4 – the Geneva stop
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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