Every time I glance at one of the vintage clocks in my collection, I am struck by the exceptional level of craftsmanship and marvel at how a mechanical device crafted over a century ago can still maintain precise timekeeping. Mechanical clocks are machines designed to measure, keep, and indicate time. Mechanical clocks rely on a … More The Inner Workings of Mechanical Clocks: How They Keep Time
During my article review this week, I stumbled upon my first-ever blog post from 2015 about my fortunate discovery of an Arthur Pequegnat clock in a nearby antique shop. It was an exciting experience for me, and I was thrilled to share it with my readers. This was my first Arthur Pequegnat clock whihc was … More Timeless Treasure: My First Arthur Pequegnat Clock Discovery
Vienna regulator weight-driven wall clocks are a type of mechanical clock that originated in Austria in the mid-19th century. These clocks are named after the city of Vienna, where they were first produced and gained popularity throughout Europe. They are known for their unique design, which features a long, slender case with a glass door … More Vienna Regulator – the pinnacle of clock artistry
Quite honestly an entire book should be dedicated to dating a clock. Some time ago I published an article entitled, “How to Date an Antique or Vintage Clock – Part I”, and I used specific examples from my own collection. I wanted to explore the topic a little further and this post will present a … More Dating an Antique or Vintage Clock – Part II
Let’s get back to basics. How does a mechanical clock function? A mechanical clock is a machine. It is a machine that is used to measure, verify, keep, and indicate time. It measures intervals of time shorter than the natural units of the day, the lunar month, and the year. How many machines do you … More How does a mechanical clock work?
This is Part III of a three (3) part series. In Part I I discuss disassembly and servicing the mainsprings. In Part II, the movement and in this, Part III we will look at restoring the brass case.
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
This is Part I of a three (3) part series. In Part I I discuss disassembly and servicing the mainsprings. In Part II, the movement and in Part II restoring the brass case. My wife found this 1910 Ansonia Crystal Regulator in the late summer 2018 while antique shopping. In the 1905 Ansonia Crystal Regulator … More Ansonia Crystal Regulator clock – Part I – disassembly
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
It has taken me 6 years to assemble my collection of antique and vintage clocks. Although I have many clocks, wall clocks are my particular favorites. Check out my collection of antique and vintage wall clocks in this YouTube video I made in January 2019. Feel free to comment.
Happy Birthday Sir Sanford Fleming, the inventor of Standard Time. Sir Sanford Fleming (January 7, 1827 – July 22, 1915) was Canada’s foremost railway surveyor and construction engineer of the 19th century and a distinguished inventor and scientist. Sir Sanford Fleming played a crucial role in developing a global system for setting time. Fleming advocated … More Happy Birthday Sir Sanford Fleming, the inventor of Standard Time
2018 was a successful year for my horological hobby in many ways. I met interesting people with fascinating stories, discovered new antique clock sources and had fun along the way. The best clock moments, in no specific order, during 2018 were: Arthur Pequegnat Moncton Finding an Arthur Pequegnat Moncton double-spring time-only wall clock was a … More Best clock moments of 2018
While browsing through an antique shop in Bloomfield, Ontario my wife spotted an antique glass cased brass time and strike American made Crystal Regulator with open Brocot escapement made by Ansonia. In the 1905 Ansonia Crystal Regulator catalogue it is listed as the Prism at a price of $29.00 which would have been a hefty … More Ansonia Crystal Regulator clock
One of my newest acquisitions is a Seth Thomas Regulator #2 which I found in Bloomfield during my travels through Ontario. Bloomfield is a few minutes from Picton which is a major centre in Prince Edward County, known for it many wineries. These clocks do not come up very often; the price was right and … More Seth Thomas Regulator #2 wall clock
I discovered this Arthur Pequegnat Moncton in an antique store in Bloomfield, Ontario. I had my eye on it during a visit to the antique shop this past summer (2018), thought about it before taking the plunge later in the fall to buy it. These clocks do not come up very often and the price … More Arthur Pequegnat Moncton wall clock
At 2:00am Sunday morning, the 4th of November, set your clock one hour behind. That is, if you live in Canada. Your time change date may vary according to the country you live in. Consider yourself lucky if your your country does not observe this archaic convention. If your country uses Daylight Saving Time (DST), you must … More It’s time to change your clocks
Need a quick primer on developments and inventions in horology. You have come to the right place. Though by no means a definitive guide the following are some important dates in the history of the clock as gathered through a number of sources. The difficultly in affixing some dates with precision results from discrepancies among … More Perspective on Horological (clock) Development
I have been to Middleton, Nova Scotia many times. I have even passed the Macdonald Consolidated School where the clock museum is located without realizing what treasures lay inside. The clock museum represents a small section of the museum, the remainder of which is dedicated to the history of the area. In the Spring of … More The Macdonald Museum – if you are a clock fan, or even if you are not, this small museum may surprise you
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) and of course, general comments. For those comments and questions that stump even me, I … More Tick Talk Tuesday #11 – clocks of Cuba
In 2014 during a visit to Portugal I had a chance to visit one of the country`s premier museums in Lisbon. They had a magnificent collection of antique clocks but this particular clock attracted my attention. This weight driven “Regulador” was made by Burgh, Bernard (II) van Risenburgh in Paris between 1745-50. It is made … More 270 Year Old Clock – A True Work of Art
It has been one year since my wife presented me with a Vienna Regulator wall clock as a retirement gift. I was in heaven! I always wanted a Gustav Becker clock. I thought it was the holy grail of clocks. As I delve more deeply into this hobby and have the benefit of a greater knowledge … More My Gustav Becker – one year later
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
This article will explore the notion that a Vienna Regulator clock is not a true regulator. I realize that any discussion of regulator clocks produces a wide variety of conflicting opinions, nevertheless, here is my take subject of the Vienna Regulator and why it is not a true regulator. The word “regulator” is loosely defined … More Why a Vienna Regulator clock is not a regulator
This is what happens when you get a clock in a box. Call it a collection of parts, pieces and dust. This is an antique German Junghans time and strike spring driven clock made in the style of a Vienna Regulator. There is no serial number on the movement, dating the clock to 1899 or … More Halifax Explosion and the Junghans Crispi clock – Part I – the plan
Is your clock worth fixing? That depends on many factors which I will explore in this article. People acquire vintage and antique clocks for many reasons and in this article I will examine four reasons why your clock might be worth fixing. 1) Sentimental value: The first is a clock with emotional or sentimental value. … More Is my clock worth fixing?
Ominous The Spirit is an artist that makes music, paints, and creates photography. He donates 100% of profits to charity.
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