If you’ve been around antique or vintage clocks for any length of time, as I have, you’ve probably heard a few “truths” that get passed along like family recipes. Some have a sprinkle of fact in them, others are pure folklore, and a few can actually cause more harm than good. So, let’s sit down, … More Top 9 Antique Clock Myths Debunked for Collectors
If you’ve ever browsed an antique shop or clock auction and marveled at the craftsmanship of century-old clocks, you might find yourself thinking: “They sure made things better back then.” And while that’s sometimes true — many antique clocks were built with care and skill — there’s a hidden trap in that assumption. It’s called … More Looking Beyond the Surface: How Survivorship Bias Shapes Our View of Antique Clocks
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
This blog post was first published in 2016, and it’s now time to revisit and update it to reflect the changes in market conditions and prices since then. There are many reasons why clock prices are low and continue to decline, but at the risk of oversimplifying, I will say that the law of supply … More What is My Clock Worth? | 2025 update
The Confusion Between the Terms Antique and Vintage Among clock collectors and owners of older items, there’s considerable confusion surrounding the correct use of the terms “antique” and “vintage.” These terms are often used interchangeably, and more often than not, incorrectly. According to U.S. law, an “antique” refers to items that are over 100 years … More Clearing Up “Vintage” and “Antique” Confusion for Collectors
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)
My collection boasts more than 90 clocks, with 51 on display throughout my home, 6 at our summer cottage, and 19 running non-stop. The majority of my 90 clocks are operational, although I periodically switch out some of them to maintain the 19 that run continuously. One clock remains in its place in an upper … More The homeliest clock in my collection is also one of my favorites
Here are three commonly cited reasons for eliminating the cursed Daylight Savings Time convention: One of the main arguments against daylight saving time is its impact on human health. The abrupt shift in the clock can disrupt people’s sleep patterns, leading to sleep deprivation and increased stress. Studies have shown a rise in heart attacks, … More Three arguments for eliminating Daylight Savings Time
At our seasonal cottage located in central Canada, we enjoy displaying a small selection of clocks, during the summer months. The first clock, displayed for a number of years, was a Danial Dakota time and strike clock, which we had converted to a quartz movement. This clock, originating from the 1960s, incorporated Chinese design elements … More Clocks at our summer retreat
Repurposing old antique clock parts can offer numerous benefits. For clock repair persons, these parts can serve as a convenient source for replacement components. All clock repair persons consider this to be a best practice because it is sustainable, reduces waste, and conserves valuable resources. Repurposing also provides an affordable means of obtaining rare and … More The Value of Saving Old Clock Parts: You never know when you may need that difficult to source part
Well, it’s that time of the year. What is my best clock acquisition of the past year? You can decide for yourself and leave a comment but I will reveal my favorite at the end of the post. As a clock hobbyist, I have had little difficulty locating interesting clocks and every year I have … More Best clock acquisition of 2022
Should antique clock cases be refinished or rejuvenated? It can be a judgement call. I am all for patina and preserving an old clock case but there are times when certain amount of intervention is practical from an aesthetics and resale point of view. There is a certain philosophical argument among collectors who believe on … More Hamilton Clock Co. ogee – a dull and tired case needs help
Won at auction this spring is a Daniel Pratt Jr. reverse ogee with splat although this one is missing the splat, the decorative piece on top of the case. According to the label it was made in or after 1843. It was also missing the suspension spring and pendulum rod and the wire with regulating … More A woodworks movement by Daniel Pratt Jr. and it actually works
I never actually went to this auction but participated online. It is not quite the same as the rush of bidding in a live auction hall but exciting in its own way. This particular auction had quite a number of clocks but I would say that most were in rough or what I would call … More Clocks won at auction – at a fair price
The psychology of auctions, now that would be a fascinating study. How bidders behave, the frenzy of bidding wars often called “auction fever“, and the emotions wrapped into the pursuit of that one item everybody seems to want would be very enlightening. Auctions are fantastic places to find great deals. I have found many clocks … More Clock auctions – Ron’s rules for bidding
Honestly, an entire book could be devoted to the topic of dating clocks. Some time ago, I published an article titled “How to Date an Antique or Vintage Clock – Part I,” in which I used specific examples from my own collection. I’d like to explore this topic further, and this post will discuss additional … More Dating an Antique or Vintage Clock – Part II
Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from readers concerning clock issues, challenges faced, a clock you would profiled or advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that stump even me, I consult within my clock circles for the best possible answer GB writes: Yesterday I pick … More Tick Talk Tuesday #38 – Swigart replacement dial
There is no single method of dating an antique or vintage clock but there are some strong clues in some cases and subtle inferences in others that help determine when a clock was manufactured. Occasionally, the exact month and year is displayed somewhere on the case, and in other instances the clock by way of … More Dating an antique or vintage clock – Part I
A few weeks back I published an article on clock testing stands. While a single clock stand would be ideal for all movement testing purposes there are so many different types and styles of movements that one size does not fit all. The one stand I was missing was for testing weight-driven ogee style clocks … More A custom test stand for weight driven ogee style clocks
The time has come to determine the best clock acquisition of the past year. As a clock hobbyist, I have had little difficulty locating interesting clocks over the years, and despite the seemingly never-ending pandemic, I have scored a few in 2021 though the past year has been leaner than most. In the early days … More Best clock acquisition of 2021
This Chauncey Jerome 30-hour or one-day clock from about 1844-1845 is the example that I am using to illustrate the advantages of using traditional shellac as a finish coat. The mahogany veneer is in very good condition and it is evident that the clock was not subject to the abuse one would expect of a … More Traditional shellac improves the appearance of an ogee clock case
I was not really looking for an ogee clock to add to my collection. But there it was sitting in a lonely corner of an antique shop calling me, “buy me”; and I did. It is probably the oldest one in my collection of 4 other ogee clocks. It was made in or about 1845. … More Chauncey Jerome 30-hour movement – two unusual issues during servicing
An ogee clock is so-called because it is a 19th century U.S. shelf clock with a distinctive S-curve (convex above and concave below) molding. 30-hour ogee clocks were very popular from the early 1840s to as late as the 1890s, a good run for a distinctive style of clock. Before the days of the Internet, … More Circa 1845 Chauncey Jerome Ogee Clock
The turned 4 columns of the New York style Sperry and Shaw clock drew my attention because it is so unlike many of the 30-hour shelf clocks of the time. This clock was made between 1844 and 1851 when Henry Sperry and George Shaw were in the clock business together. The label, which is in … More Sperry and Shaw 4 column clock back on the bench
My Chauncey Jerome 30-hour Ogee weight driven time and strike clock has stopped for no obvious reason. Let’s see if we can get it going again. But first, no-one can deny that Chauncey Jerome had made a historic contribution to the American clock industry in the 18th century when he substituted brass works for wooden … More Chauncey Jerome 30-hour ogee has stopped – the trouble with trundles
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