Category: mantel

Tick Talk Time | A Canada Clock Co. Clock Bought at Auction

August 10, 2026

This regularly featured blog is about the letters, questions, and stories I receive from fellow clock enthusiasts. Tick-Talk Time is a special feature where I respond to readers’ letters and comments about their clock, clock-rlated issues and advice about specific clocks. When a question is particularily complex I consult with my clock community to ensure … More Tick Talk Time | A Canada Clock Co. Clock Bought at Auction

What Is a Strike Train? A Beginner’s Guide to Mechanical Clock Striking Mechanisms

July 13, 2026

For newcomers to the hobby, the expression may sound complicated, but the concept is actually quite simple. … More What Is a Strike Train? A Beginner’s Guide to Mechanical Clock Striking Mechanisms

Walter Clocks of Toronto: A Nearly Forgotten Chapter in Canadian Clockmaking

March 23, 2026

Among Canadian clocks, some names are immediately recognizable — Pequegnat, Canada Clock Company, Hamilton Clock Company, Wesclox from Peterbourough or Seth Thomas and New Haven imports sold through Canadian retailers. Others, however, tell a quieter story. Walter Clocks of Toronto belongs firmly in that second group, yet its history represents one of the last meaningful … More Walter Clocks of Toronto: A Nearly Forgotten Chapter in Canadian Clockmaking

Discovering a Rare Waterbury Clock in Almonte, Ontario

September 22, 2025

Almonte, Ontario, (Canada) is a town that practically invites you to slow down and explore, and that’s exactly what my wife and I did one afternoon in September. In fact, it is called “The Friendly Town”. We drifted from one antique shop to another, discovering all sorts of curiosities. But in one store, I found … More Discovering a Rare Waterbury Clock in Almonte, Ontario

Your Clock Has Stopped | Follow These First 5 Steps Before Calling A Clock Repairer

September 15, 2025

There are few things more frustrating for an antique or vintage clock owner than when a favorite clock suddenly stops. Mechanical clocks are intricate machines, but that doesn’t always mean the problem is complicated. In fact, many stoppages are caused by small, simple issues that can be corrected at home without tools or technical expertise. … More Your Clock Has Stopped | Follow These First 5 Steps Before Calling A Clock Repairer

A Simple Mantel Clock Made by the Blackforest Clock Company

August 5, 2025

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

Kienzle clock on display with Ingraham Huron

Top 6 Locations to Avoid for Antique Clock Placement

August 1, 2025

Antique clocks are more than just timekeepers—they’re pieces of history that deserve thoughtful care and placement in your home. While it’s tempting to display them wherever they look best, some locations can cause serious harm to their delicate movements and finishes. Knowing where not to place your antique clock is just as important as choosing … More Top 6 Locations to Avoid for Antique Clock Placement

Why I Changed My Mind About the Dial Bezel on a Pequegnat Jewel Mantel Clock

January 17, 2025

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

Kienzle clock on display with Ingraham Huron

The Art of Minimal Invasive Clock Preservation

November 29, 2024

The term minimal invasive intervention refers to the delicate decision-making process regarding how much work should be done to repair, restore, or conserve a clock without significantly altering its original character. It encapsulates a challenge many collectors face: balancing preservation with functionality. Some argue that any work performed on an antique clock detracts from its value, much … More The Art of Minimal Invasive Clock Preservation

A collection of clock movements in need of repair

Evolution of Clock Repair: From Tinkerers to Modern Horologists

November 8, 2024

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

Dandy by Pequegant | An Affordable, Everyday Clock

October 8, 2024

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

Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik | Servicing an 8-day Countwheel Strike Movement – Part I

September 27, 2024

Among clock collectors and admirers, the Hamburg American Clock Company is a well-known German company. It is otherwise known as Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik or HAU and in many parts of the world, it is simply known as HAC. About the Company The company was formed in Germany in 1873 by Paul Landenberger and Phillipp Lang. … More Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik | Servicing an 8-day Countwheel Strike Movement – Part I

Three Canadian Antique Clocks Won at Auction

September 13, 2024

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

Broken mainspring for barrel

The Myth of Over-Winding: Clarifying a Common Misconception

September 3, 2024

In the fascinating world of horology, many terms and expressions are often misunderstood or misused. A classic example is the frequent confusion between the words “mantel” and “mantle” to describe certain types of clocks. While “mantel” refers to a shelf over a fireplace, “mantle” is something you wear, like a cloak. Another pervasive myth is … More The Myth of Over-Winding: Clarifying a Common Misconception

The Pequegnat Jewel and the Simcoe – similar yet subtly different

April 23, 2024

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

My 10-year NAWCC member pin arrived today

March 29, 2024

As I opened the package from the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) and found the enclosed lapel pin it dawned on me that I’d been a member of the organization for a whole decade. Being a member of NAWCC has proven to be an excellent choice for me, and I believe other … More My 10-year NAWCC member pin arrived today

Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik: The Clock Company with an Alias

March 22, 2024

This article traces the historical journey of a significant German clock manufacturer, ultimately absorbed by the Junghans Clock and Watch Company in the late 1920s. After providing a brief overview of its history, the article will delve into the specifics of the clock movement that is next on my workbench. Among clock collectors and admirers, … More Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik: The Clock Company with an Alias

Trouble Strikes Thrice: The Notion of Bad Luck in Threes

February 13, 2024

The belief that bad luck happens in threes is a common folk belief that suggests that if you experience one bad event or stroke of bad luck, two more are likely to follow in quick succession. While this adage is not grounded in any scientific or empirical evidence, it has persisted for years. In this … More Trouble Strikes Thrice: The Notion of Bad Luck in Threes

Wrapping up the servicing of a Seth Thomas type 89 movement

February 2, 2024

Seth Thomas is a well-known American clock manufacturer with a long history, and they produced a variety of clock movements over the years. The Type 89 movement is one of the many clock movements produced by Seth Thomas between 1900 and 1938. The mantel clock in question features the Type 89 movement. Acquired in the … More Wrapping up the servicing of a Seth Thomas type 89 movement

A Vintage Seth Thomas Clock with a peculiar veneered case

December 15, 2023

The Seth Thomas Clock Company, renowned for its long history dating back to the early 19th century, produced a variety of clock movements over the years, and among them is the Type 89 movement found in this clock. Despite the absence of a specific year stamp, the clock’s design and construction suggest a manufacturing date … More A Vintage Seth Thomas Clock with a peculiar veneered case

A Practical Journey with an Unwanted Upright Piano

December 12, 2023

For 27 years, a piano made in Montreal, Canada in 1911 occupied a silent corner of our living room, a relic of bygone days. Years ago we inherited the piano when my wife’s parents downsized from their larger home to a smaller one. They did not want it then and we do not want it … More A Practical Journey with an Unwanted Upright Piano

Junghans round-top mantel clock – wrapping up servicing

November 24, 2023

In the past two weeks, my focus has been directed towards the servicing of a Junghans roundtop mantel clock. This particular time and strike mantel clock is the Hunsruck model manufactured in the second half of 1913 (stamped B13 on the rear plate). For first impressions and background information about the clock itself, you can … More Junghans round-top mantel clock – wrapping up servicing

Finding a Reliable Clock Repair Professional

September 26, 2023

If you’ve acquired a clock as a gift, through inheritance, from antique shopping, online purchases, or any other means, and it’s not functioning correctly, you have several choices in having it repaired. You might decide to try fixing the clock yourself, especially if it’s a simple or inexpensive clock. Basic tools and some luck might … More Finding a Reliable Clock Repair Professional

The ubiquitous type 89 movement by Seth Thomas

August 25, 2023

The Seth Thomas Clock Company is a well-known American clock manufacturer with a long history dating back to the early 19th century. The Type 89 movement is one of the many clock movements produced by Seth Thomas over the years. This type was made between 1900 and 1938. This is a first look at the … More The ubiquitous type 89 movement by Seth Thomas

Arthur Pequegnat Simcoe

How to Display an Antique Clock in Your Home

July 21, 2023

In this blog post, we’ll share practical tips on how to incorporate antique clocks into your interior decor. We’ll discuss strategic placement, creative styling techniques, and ways to create an eye-catching focal point. Make your antique clock the star of the show by displaying it in a prominent location where it can take center stage. … More How to Display an Antique Clock in Your Home