Category: servicing

Antique Clocks and the Term ‘Fully Serviced’: What Every Buyer Should Know

November 10, 2025

As the holiday season approaches, it’s wise to be familiar with some key terms if you’re considering purchasing an antique or vintage clock as a gift for that special person. One such term that often needs clarification is “serviced.” I remember scrolling through Facebook one afternoon when a post caught my eye—a 100+-year-old mantel clock … More Antique Clocks and the Term ‘Fully Serviced’: What Every Buyer Should Know

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The Day I Found an Ingraham Huron Balloon Clock—and the Story That Came With It

October 20, 2025

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

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Junghans Crispi wall clock

A Box of Parts, and a Special Clock That Journeyed Through Time

October 13, 2025

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

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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

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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

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New Acquisition | A Box Clock By Friedrich Mauthe GmbH & Co.

September 1, 2025

After working on my brother-in-law’s clock earlier this year, I was so taken with it that I decided I wanted the same—or at least a similar—clock in my collection. I nearly succeeded when I found a comparable clock in Ottawa, Ontario, this summer. I had been monitoring the sale of the clock for about two … More New Acquisition | A Box Clock By Friedrich Mauthe GmbH & Co.

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Moving Forward With A New Rhythm: Weekly Monday Posts

August 12, 2025

Over the years, I’ve been happily posting two articles every week, and it’s been such a joy to share stories, discoveries, and little bits of horological history with you. But starting next week, I’m slowing the pace just a touch—one article a week, every Monday. Think of it as our standing Monday coffee together, with … More Moving Forward With A New Rhythm: Weekly Monday Posts

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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

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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

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Top Reasons Your Mechanical Antique Clock Runs Slow: Tips & Fixes (2025 Ed.)

July 22, 2025

We are quite accustomed to the accuracy of quartz clocks which lose or gain mere milli-seconds per week. Contrast that with an era when folks were content to accept that their mechanical clock would be a minute fast or slow through the week, and it was a common practice to make small adjustments over the … More Top Reasons Your Mechanical Antique Clock Runs Slow: Tips & Fixes (2025 Ed.)

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Built to Last? Comparing Antique and Vintage Clock Movements

July 18, 2025

Having worked on a number of German and American clock movements recently, I began reflecting on the differences in design philosophy, construction methods, and overall durability between modern German movements from the past 30 to 40 years and American movements made over a century ago. These comparisons reveal not just technical contrasts but also shifting … More Built to Last? Comparing Antique and Vintage Clock Movements

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Buying Antique Clocks: The Truth About ‘Fully Serviced’ Claims

June 17, 2025

If you spend any amount of time browsing online marketplaces for antique or vintage clocks, you’ll quickly become familiar with a common phrase: “Fully serviced and tested to ensure reliable running.” It sounds reassuring. But what does fully serviced really mean? As it turns out, the answer can vary greatly depending on who’s doing the … More Buying Antique Clocks: The Truth About ‘Fully Serviced’ Claims

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Junghans Crispi dial face

Closing In on a Cure: The Ongoing Battle with a Junghans Crispi Movement

June 3, 2025

Back in 2017, I took on the restoration of a Junghans Crispi wall clock—a project that began with enthusiasm but has since tested my patience more than once. While the case restoration went smoothly, the movement has been another story. Despite professional servicing, bushing work, and later my own repair attempts, the strike side has … More Closing In on a Cure: The Ongoing Battle with a Junghans Crispi Movement

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Join the Antique Clock Community: Share and Learn

May 27, 2025

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

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Restoring a Vintage Mauthe Clock | Evoking Family Memories | Part I

January 31, 2025

It’s been about two years since I last worked on a Mauthe time and strike movement. While Mauthe clocks are fairly common, my attention has been directed toward other types of clocks and clock projects in recent years. This is the first installment of a two-part series, offering initial impressions and background history of the … More Restoring a Vintage Mauthe Clock | Evoking Family Memories | Part I

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Mainspring contained in a clamp

Mainsprings dilemma | To Replace or Not To Replace

December 3, 2024

As a clock repairer, there are several compelling reasons to keep the original mainsprings if they are still in good condition. Keeping the original mainsprings ensures that the clock remains as close to its original condition as possible. Collectors and enthusiasts often value clocks with original parts, as they maintain the authenticity and historical significance … More Mainsprings dilemma | To Replace or Not To Replace

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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

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Pendulum bob

Pendulum Length Vs. Pendulum Weight in Clocks: What Matters More?

November 5, 2024

A clock’s pendulum is a swinging component made up of a rod or wire with a weighted bob attached at the end. It is a key part of pendulum clocks, responsible for regulating the movement and ensuring accurate timekeeping. The pendulum swings back and forth in a precise, periodic motion, controlling the clock’s escapement mechanism … More Pendulum Length Vs. Pendulum Weight in Clocks: What Matters More?

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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

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Exploring the Iconic Hamilton Tall Clock by Pequegnat

October 4, 2024

I recently added two more Pequegnat clocks to my collection: the Dandy model and the Hamilton Tall, the latter of which I will be profiling in this article. I now have a total of 12 Arthur Pequegnat clocks in my possession. For those unfamiliar with the Pequegnat name, the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company is arguably … More Exploring the Iconic Hamilton Tall Clock by Pequegnat

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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

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Mainspring and barrel cap

How to Remove and Service a Mainspring Enclosed in a Clock Barrel

September 17, 2024

A clock spring barrel is a cylindrical component found in spring-driven clocks. Its primary function is to house the mainspring, which stores energy to power the clock. The mainspring barrel works like this The mainspring is a tightly coiled strip of metal that, when wound, stores potential energy. The barrel holds the mainspring in place … More How to Remove and Service a Mainspring Enclosed in a Clock Barrel

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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

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Dive into Antique Clocks: Restoration, History, and Reader Engagement | as per ChatGPT

August 30, 2024

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

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Tick Talk Tuesday

Tick talk Tuesday #55 | Mauthe wall clock runs fast

August 27, 2024

Tick-Talk Tuesday is a special time when I respond to readers’ letters and comments about clock issues, challenges, and recommendations for specific clocks. When the comments and questions are especially complex, I consult with fellow clock enthusiasts within my circle to ensure I offer the most precise and helpful answers possible. RK writes: I am … More Tick talk Tuesday #55 | Mauthe wall clock runs fast

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