This clock wasn’t one I set out to find. My wife and I were wandering through a sprawling antique shop in Almonte, Ontario—the kind of place where time itself seems to stand still. She drifted upstairs while I lingered below, each of us lost in our own quiet hunt. A few minutes later, she appeared … More The Clock That Wasn’t Complete: My Waterbury Suffolk Discovery
The American Banjo clock — often just called a banjo clock — got its name from the shape of its case, which resembles a banjo musical instrument. Although the design was patented in 1802 by Simon Willard, a renowned clockmaker from Roxbury, Massachusetts, Willard referred to his invention as the “Improved Timepiece,” not a banjo … More Echoes of an Unknown Maker: A Banjo Clock’s Journey Through Time
Not long ago, my wife and I were attending a medical appointment in Springhill, Nova Scotia. While we were in the area, we decided that a side trip to Parrsboro fit the bill, as the town was less than a half-hour drive away. It was a leisurely, sunny fall day as we drove through the … More The Lank House Clock: Tracing a Mauthe Wall Clock Through Parrsboro’s Past
Some time ago, I came across an ad on Facebook Marketplace for a clock owned by an older couple who lived about forty-five minutes from our home on the East Coast. When I first saw the photo, something about the clock caught my eye—it had character, a quiet dignity, and I had a feeling it … More The Day I Found an Ingraham Huron Balloon Clock—and the Story That Came With It
Every old clock has a story to tell — where it came from, who owned it, and the moments in time it quietly witnessed. Unfortunately, as clocks are sold, traded, or passed down, those stories often get lost along the way. The clock may keep ticking, but the people and places behind it fade into … More A Box of Parts, and a Special Clock That Journeyed Through Time
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
In late June 2025, I received an invitation to attend the installation of a historic Nova Scotia family clock. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the July 12th ceremony, but I asked the museum manager if I could publish the public service announcement on this blog. She agreed and gave permission to include photos as … More Celebrating the Return of Nova Scotia’s Bishop Family Clock
In the winter of 2017, I took on the restoration of a Junghans Crispi wall clock, made in Schwenningen, Germany. Built in the Vienna Regulator style, the clock came to me as a box of parts—an exciting challenge, especially once I learned of its remarkable history. This clock survived the Halifax Explosion on December 6, … More Dating a Historic Junghans Crispi Wall Clock
Hi there, and welcome to my little corner of the internet! My name is Ron Joiner, and for the past twenty years, I’ve been an avid hobbyist and collector in the world of antique and vintage clocks. What started as a curiosity has grown into a deep passion for the intricate movements and rich history of these … More Join the Antique Clock Community: Share and Learn
A lot can happen to a mechanical clock over time. Even if your clock is primarily a decorative piece or a cherished family heirloom you’re hesitant to touch for fear of damaging it, it’s still wise to run it occasionally. Read on to learn why. An Unused Clock Surprisingly, it’s not regular operation that wears … More The Hidden Dangers of Idle Mechanical Clocks
I have never been completely happy with how the movement runs in this Junghans Crispi wall clock. When I got the clock in 2017, I jumped right into restoring the case because it was an interesting challenge to put the clock together from a bunch of parts. Now, eight years later, the clock continues to … More Crispi Wall Clock Movement by Junghans | My Nemesis
Have you ever come across the term FrankenClock in the world of clock collecting? If not, let me explain. Imagine purchasing a clock, hoping that every mechanical component, finial, and piece of trim is original, only to later discover—through experience, research, or sheer luck—that it isn’t. How would that make you feel? Disappointed? Cheated? Many … More Is Your Clock a FrankenClock? Key Insights for Collectors
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
In Part I of this series, I shared my approach to restoring a clock dial through a process called inpainting. Inpainting is but one solution to the problem of a ruined dial. To restore a clock dial by bringing it back to its original state involves carefully mixing paint to match the original tones, gradually … More Pequegnat Jewel Dial Restoration | A Case For Inpainting | Part II
As I continue to build my Pequegnat clock collection, I always seize a good deal when I find one, and the Jewel was too good to pass up. You might be wondering, what exactly is a Pequegnat clock and where does the Jewel fit into their model lineup? A Pequegnat clock refers to clocks produced … More Pequegnat Jewel Dial Restoration | A Case For Inpainting | Part I
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
Over the past 12 years, time has flown by, and just recently, while cleaning a clock I serviced over five and a half years ago, I realized that I have been immersed in this hobby for a long time—and loving every moment of it. Three years into my journey, I started blogging, a passion that’s … More Navigating the Challenges of Clock Collecting
My daughter asked ChatGPT for the most popular antique clock websites, and it provided a top ten list. Antiquevintageclock.com ranked number 9. I found the description of the site description interesting and accurate, so I’ll quote ChatGPT’s findings. The Antique and Vintage Clocks Blog (found at [antiquevintageclock.com](http://antiquevintageclock.com)) is a dedicated resource for enthusiasts interested in … More Dive into Antique Clocks: Restoration, History, and Reader Engagement | as per ChatGPT
When my wife’s parents sold their home in a small town in Nova Scotia in 1996, they passed on a wall clock, which had been given to my father-in-law by a patient and had hung on the wall in the main hallway of their home, to his son, my wife’s brother. It has been in … More German Box Clock Restoration | A Family Heirloom
From time to time, I enjoy reflecting on the progress of my projects after a certain period. Five years ago I acquired a Scottish clock at auction, fulfilling my long-held desire to add an antique tall-case clock to my collection. Reflecting on it now, the decision to purchase the clock proved to be a wise … More Scottish tall-case clock five years later
Antique wall clocks hold sentimental and aesthetic value, and preserving them often requires delicate restoration work. Purchasing replacement glass and securing it to a frame is one such restoration project. Securing glass to the bezel of an antique clock can be achieved in several ways. It can be secured with tacks or clips or in … More Securing Clock Glass to a wood Bezel with Plaster of Paris: An easy Step-by-Step Guide
In the heart of North End Halifax, on December 6, 1917, a Junghans Crispi clock fell off a wall in a house on Princess Court. Unbeknownst to it, this simple clock would become a silent witness to one of the worst man-made disasters in Canadian history – the Halifax Explosion. As the Belgian relief ship … More Honouring History, One Tick at a Time – the Halifax Explosion Dec 6, 1917
In the world of horology, antique clocks stand as both timekeeping devices and exquisite works of art, bearing witness to the craftsmanship and design sensibilities of bygone eras. Yet, beneath their exteriors lies a profound philosophical conundrum—one that questions the very essence of their identity. As we dive into the realm of antique clocks, we … More The Philosophical Conundrum of Antique Clocks: When is a Clock No Longer Itself?
While I do not operate a clock business I have, in the past, worked on other people’s clocks. The customer’s perspective and preferences are always paramount when it comes to repairing and restoring antique clocks. As an antique clock blogger and clock repairer, I believe it is crucial to respect and understand the wishes of … More Restoring Antique Clocks according to Customer wishes
While working on one of my latest acquisitions, a Junghans Hunsruck mantel clock, memories flooded back to the first Junghans clock I ever owned, a Junghans Crispi wall clock, that I still have to this day. It was a humble box of parts when it first came to me, but I was determined to bring … More My most recent Hunsruck Clock evokes memories of my first Junghans clock
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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