For newcomers to the hobby, the expression may sound complicated, but the concept is actually quite simple. … More What Is a Strike Train? A Beginner’s Guide to Mechanical Clock Striking Mechanisms
Over the years, as my clock collection has evolved and my interest in Canadian horology has deepened, I’ve found myself crossing paths with a wide range of clocks from around the world. One group that continues to spark curiosity—and conversation—is the Chinese-made mechanical wall clocks that became so common in North America during the 1960s … More The History and Significance of 1970s Chinese Wall Clocks
Looking around my home today, I can count twelve Arthur Pequegnat clocks, but the Brandon II will always be the most important one. It was the first Pequegnat clock I ever bought, and the one that started me down the Pequegnat road. This particular clock is a Brandon II. The first edition was produced up … More The Arthur Pequegnat Brandon II Schoolhouse Clock – The Clock That Started My Collection
I wrote recently about a two-weight Gustav Becker regulator wall clock that my wife bought for me in 2016. It was sold as a “project clock.” While the case presented its own challenges, the real difficulties lay in the movement. At the time, I was unfamiliar with Gustav Becker movements and only gradually realized that … More A Return to the Bench: Wear-Related Strike Problems in a Gustav Becker P27
In 2016, my wife gifted me a two-weight Gustav Becker regulator wall clock. It was a much-appreciated gift, and I spent many hours restoring it, as it had been sold as a “project clock.” The case certainly had its issues, but the most challenging problems lay in the movement itself. At the time, I was … More Ten Years Later: An Odd Strike Issue in a Gustav Becker P27 Movement
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
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
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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.)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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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