Lessons learned from antique mall clock buying

While touring through the United States we had an opportunity to explore the “magic” of antique malls. Antique malls are typically located in former department stores such as Macys or JC Penny found in commercial areas of a town or city. Antique malls are an American cultural experience. They are not a unique experience for … More Lessons learned from antique mall clock buying

Low antique clock prices – are they here to stay

There is a peculiar phenomena happening in the clock world today and that is tumbling clock prices. French cartelle clocks, American jewelers regulators, original E. Howard and Willard banjo clocks to name a few have retained their value but clocks that would have sold for hundreds of dollars a few short years ago can be … More Low antique clock prices – are they here to stay

Aug Schatz & Sohne W3 – help me find a case for this fine movement

W3 refers to the 3 chimes, St Micheal, Whittington and Westminster This W3 Aug Schatz & Sohne movement is local antique store find for under CAN$20 though it came without a case and chime rods. W3 refers to the three chimes, St Micheal, Whittington and Westminster. The Whittington chime is my favorite. Aug. Schatz, a … More Aug Schatz & Sohne W3 – help me find a case for this fine movement

Doesn’t all that ticking drive you crazy?

No! As a clock collector I have quite a few clocks in my home. Most are running daily. There are 34 clocks ticking away in my home as I write this blog article. I have accepted them as normal sounds in my home Some collectors have a dedicated clock room in their home but mine … More Doesn’t all that ticking drive you crazy?

Regulating your mechanical clock – its easier than you think

Regulating your clock is the process of making repeated, precise adjustments to its mechanism with the goal of enhancing its accuracy and ensuring it functions as a reliable timekeeper over an extended period. The running of your mechanical clock is influenced by three key factors: neglect, friction, and the environment. These elements will determine whether … More Regulating your mechanical clock – its easier than you think

Clocks at the summer cottage

We have a seasonal cottage that is used primarily in the summer and at times during Thanksgiving in October. While I have a number of clocks at my residence in Nova Scotia the cottage is a great place for displaying a small selection of my clocks. Our first clock at the cottage was a Danial … More Clocks at the summer cottage

Sessions Westminster A mantel clock Part III – re-assembly and cursing the chime drive

Do you like the challenge of working on a mechanical clock? This one might have you ripping your hair out. These are not the best clocks to start on and can be a headache for the experienced clock-maker. You will find Part I of this project here and Part II, here. In August 2015 I … More Sessions Westminster A mantel clock Part III – re-assembly and cursing the chime drive

Tick-Talk Tuesday #7 – SP’s thoughts on dating a Kienzle Weltzeituhr clock

Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clocks, issues you might have had and challenges you face and my responses to your questions with advice on your  particular clock concern(s). For those comments and questions that stump even me, I consult within my clock circles … More Tick-Talk Tuesday #7 – SP’s thoughts on dating a Kienzle Weltzeituhr clock

Unsigned French mantel clock – pretty but I wish I knew more about it

I acquired this elegant antique French mantel/shelf clock online in March of 2017 and it is the only French clock in my collection. Not many come up on Nova Scotia online for-sale sites. I felt somewhat guilty leaving the home of the man I bought it from because he told me that he was selling … More Unsigned French mantel clock – pretty but I wish I knew more about it

Dugena mantel clock revisited

In a precious article I wrote about my frustrations getting this clock to run reliably. No matter what adjustments I made it ran poorly. “You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going, because you might not get there”, Yogi Berra This time and strike movement (Hermle?) has been out … More Dugena mantel clock revisited

Winding a mechanical clock – A How-To Guide

In this age of everything electronic, it may surprise some people that a newly acquired mechanical clock bought at the local garage sale, flea market or antique store needs to be wound on a regular basis. Winding a mechanical clock takes a level of care but a few simple guidelines should have you on your … More Winding a mechanical clock – A How-To Guide

Tick-Talk Tuesday #6 – comments on online purchases

Tick-Talk Tuesday is all about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clocks, issues you might have had and challenges you face and my responses to your questions with advice on your  particular clock concern(s). If I am stumped, I consult within my clock circles for the best possible … More Tick-Talk Tuesday #6 – comments on online purchases

Seth Thomas Adamantine mantel clock – time to give it a little love

I am servicing the first antique clock I ever bought. After having serviced many others it is time to give this clock a little love. Some years ago (2000) my wife and I were traveling around Nova Scotia and stopped in a little village called Blockhouse. We found an antique store, walked in and never … More Seth Thomas Adamantine mantel clock – time to give it a little love

Is my clock in beat?

You bought a clock. It ran when you first saw it but you bring it home, display it in that very spot you imagined and now it won’t run. 99% of the time this is caused by a clock not being in beat. All mechanical clocks must be set in beat before they will run … More Is my clock in beat?

Tick-Talk Tuesday #4 – question about Sessions Westminster A clock

Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clocks, issues you might have had and challenges you face and my responses to your questions with advice on your  particular clock concern(s). For those comments and questions that stump even me, I consult within my clock circles … More Tick-Talk Tuesday #4 – question about Sessions Westminster A clock

Tick-Talk Tuesday #3 – question about Arthur Pequegnat clocks

Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clocks, issues you might have had and challenges you face and my responses to your questions with advice on your  particular clock concern(s). For those comments and questions that stump even me, I consult within my clock circles … More Tick-Talk Tuesday #3 – question about Arthur Pequegnat clocks

Jaeger LeCoultre musical alarm clock – not bought yet but I have questions

Jaeger LeCoultre clocks are a favorite among collectors Jaeger LeCoultre clocks are a favorite among collectors of high-end luxury timepieces, often bringing in hundreds of thousands of dollars at auction. Jaeger LeCoultre to this day produces high quality desk clocks and watches in addition to their famous line of Atmos clocks. I was in an … More Jaeger LeCoultre musical alarm clock – not bought yet but I have questions

How to buy a clock on Craigslist, Kijiji, Gumtree and so on…..And this is what I bought

It is a French mantel or shelf clock. I have no idea of the maker but it is an antique (over 100 years old), possibly 1890 to 1900. It has “Marque Deposse” stamped on the back plate but that simply means “trademark” in French. It is not a maker’s name. The clock is 11 inches … More How to buy a clock on Craigslist, Kijiji, Gumtree and so on…..And this is what I bought

Buying an antique or vintage clock on Craigslist, Kijiji, Gumtree etc. – a how to

“Life is a box of chocolates….you never know what you are going to get”, Forest Gump Buying a clock without actually touching and inspecting it is always a gamble and making a judgement based on images, many of which are poor quality, complicates the decision-making even further. There are stories of people buying clocks online … More Buying an antique or vintage clock on Craigslist, Kijiji, Gumtree etc. – a how to

Sessions Westminster A mantel clock Part II – Dis-assembly

This is Part II of a multi part series on the Sessions Westminster A chiming mantel clock. Inside the plates they are a conventional Sessions clock. Outside the plates is an entirely different story Sessions Westminster A clocks are true chiming clocks that play the Westminster chime sequences on the quarter hours and strike the … More Sessions Westminster A mantel clock Part II – Dis-assembly

Sessions Westminster A mantel clock Part I – Let’s explore this clock a little further

This is Part I of a multi-part blog wherein I explore the challenges of repairing a Sessions Westminster A tambour style time, strike and chime mantel clock. This part is the introduction. In August 2015 I wrote, “This a good project clock that is not for the inexperienced. As I gain more knowledge I will … More Sessions Westminster A mantel clock Part I – Let’s explore this clock a little further

Kienzle World Time Clock (Weltzeituhr) – more about this fascinating clock

Occasionally, I receive private email from readers. One reader asked why I dated the clock to 1950 I received a couple such emails regarding my Kienzle World Time clock and it prompted me to dig a little deeper into the origin of this unique clock. The clock is substantial, measuring 13 and 3/4″ high, 10″ … More Kienzle World Time Clock (Weltzeituhr) – more about this fascinating clock

Hilarious and other interesting clock ads

I scour the online for-sale sites frequently and I am always amused by some of the clock ads that folks write. I wish I could post some pictures, some of the clocks are truly pathetic but copyright law prevents me from doing so but at least present the unique descriptions. None of the spelling errors … More Hilarious and other interesting clock ads

Is my clock worth fixing?

It is a question many clock owners face when confronted with a nonfunctional antique or vintage clock. Whether it’s a handed-down family heirloom, a vintage find from a flea market, or a sentimental gift, deciding whether to invest in repairs can feel daunting. Beyond its monetary value, a clock’s worth often lies in its history, … More Is my clock worth fixing?

Antiquing on a Sunday afternoon

Sadly the number of antique shops in Nova Scotia is dwindling. We were antiquing in the city of Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada) this past spring and one of the store owners remarked that there used to be dozens of antique shops in the city, now only a few remain. There are still a few antique … More Antiquing on a Sunday afternoon