Sessions electric table clock refinishing – a father-daughter project

In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 My daughter found this vintage Sessions electric table clock, a model 3W and gave it to me as a Christmas gift. It is made, by the Sessions Clock Co. Forestville, Connecticut in 1936 … More Sessions electric table clock refinishing – a father-daughter project

Tick Talk Tuesday #24 – key required for family clock

In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 Tick Talk Tuesday #24 – key required for family clock. Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clock, issues you might have had, … More Tick Talk Tuesday #24 – key required for family clock

Session Electric clock model 3W – refinishing the case

In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 The only exception to my collection of mechanical clocks is this vintage Sessions electric auto-start table clock, model 3W, made by the Sessions Clock Co. Forestville, Connecticut in 1934 and sold throughout Canada … More Session Electric clock model 3W – refinishing the case

Sessions electric table clock, model 3W

Though my collection consists of mechanical clocks exclusively, now there is an exception, a vintage Sessions electric table clock, model 3W with sweep second hand, made, of course, by the Sessions Clock Co. Forestville, Connecticut in 1936 and sold in Canada (a Canadian Standards Approval sticker is on the back). Also on the back, it … More Sessions electric table clock, model 3W

Destroying the past is not something new

“I have a sterling silver collection”, she said, “that my son will melt down and sell for cash” once I am gone My sister, who is a couple of years younger and “was” an avid antique collector, remarked the other day that she has stopped collecting antiques. Why, I asked. There is no one to … More Destroying the past is not something new

Sessions Lexington Banjo Clock: 1928

Once the Sessions Clock Co acquired E. N. Welch assets in 1902 (for the history of E. N. Welch go here) the company was well on its way to becoming one of the biggest clock producers in America. Production began in 1903 and between that time and 1933 Sessions produced 52 models of mechanical clocks, … More Sessions Lexington Banjo Clock: 1928

Sessions Grand Assortment #3 gingerbread clock

This is the only true gingerbread clock I have in my collection, temporarily. By this summer (2019) it will be returned to a family relation. Can you get this thing working, my sister said? Sure, I said. Grand Assortment is an odd name for a Sessions clock, I said. The name certainly lacks imagination, but … More Sessions Grand Assortment #3 gingerbread clock

Sessions Drop Octagon – a pint-sized schoolhouse clock

A working clock for $25? You can’t go wrong. Found this little schoolhouse clock not 10 minutes from where I live. It is a Sessions Drop Octagon. It was manufactured in Forestville Conn. USA in the early 1920s and spent most of it’s life hung in a one-room schoolhouse near Springhill, Nova Scotia (Canada). The … More Sessions Drop Octagon – a pint-sized schoolhouse clock

What does bushing a clock mean?

Is your mechanical clock not running as well as it should? Does it stop intermittently or not run at all? There may be a number of issues with the movement and among them pivot wear. Pivots are the ends of the axles (the horological term is “arbours”) that spin in small holes drilled in the … More What does bushing a clock mean?

Old Sessions shelf clock

Old Clock nice wood and brass good glass works great have both keys Seller wants $60. Nice Sessions American time and strike mantel clock at a good price but really, 2 keys? All American time and strike clocks require one key only.

Using a macro lens to photograph your clock

Clock collecting and repair allows me to combine my other hobby, photography with the world of horology. I have seen so many poor photos of clocks that I thought I would cover one small aspect of photography, macro photography. The following is a generalist approach to macro photography that is intended to allow the hobbyist … More Using a macro lens to photograph your clock

Canada Clock Co. – a cottage clock from the early 1880s

We have a couple of antique stores in our small town. Calling them antique stores is a bit of a stretch because there is usually more junk inside than actual antiques. We were shopping in the area of one of those “antique” stores and my wife turned to me and said, “Let’s go in”. I … More Canada Clock Co. – a cottage clock from the early 1880s

Is clock collecting part of the counter-technology revolution?

Is clock collecting (and repair) part of the counter-technology revolution? Many years ago, social scientists predicted with the onset of modern technology it would sap us of our knowledge. Our brains would simply melt away. Concentration and initiative would be sucked out of us. Why would you need to know anything if it is readily … More Is clock collecting part of the counter-technology revolution?

Clock therapy – it’s not a pill or counseling but it works!

I enjoy the ritual of winding my clocks once a week. It gives me a chance to “see how they are doing”. Each one is like a friend and my mission is to take care of them. As I go from clock to clock I listen carefully as I wind each one, adjust as necessary … More Clock therapy – it’s not a pill or counseling but it works!

Regulating your mechanical clock – its easier than you think

Regulating your clock is the process of making repeated, precise adjustments to its mechanism with the goal of enhancing its accuracy and ensuring it functions as a reliable timekeeper over an extended period. The running of your mechanical clock is influenced by three key factors: neglect, friction, and the environment. These elements will determine whether … More Regulating your mechanical clock – its easier than you think

Timezone clocks – keeping track of family across the country

  It this day and age it is very common to have family scattered to the four winds. What time is it is such and such? Why not create timezone clocks? I live in Canada and I have one daughter in Calgary, Alberta, one of our mid-western provinces and one in Victoria, BC, on the … More Timezone clocks – keeping track of family across the country

Sessions Westminster A mantel clock Part III – re-assembly and cursing the chime drive

Do you like the challenge of working on a mechanical clock? This one might have you ripping your hair out. These are not the best clocks to start on and can be a headache for the experienced clock-maker. You will find Part I of this project here and Part II, here. In August 2015 I … More Sessions Westminster A mantel clock Part III – re-assembly and cursing the chime drive

Tick-Talk Tuesday #4 – question about Sessions Westminster A clock

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). For those comments and questions that stump even me, I consult within my clock circles … More Tick-Talk Tuesday #4 – question about Sessions Westminster A clock

New Haven Short Drop Octagon – two curious features

I recently purchased a vintage Canadian made New Haven 8-day short drop octagon time and strike clock. It is in the familiar style of a schoolhouse clock. The New Haven Clock Company lasted just over 100 years. Sadly, The New Haven Clock Company lasted just over 100 years. Much of the history of the New … More New Haven Short Drop Octagon – two curious features

Timely Treasures – Gifting a Mechanical Clock

This year I decided to part with three of my vintage clocks. Rather than sell them which would have offset tool purchases, I decided that there is no better way than gifting them. I have three adult children (is that an oxymoron?) and it was a matter of allowing them to choose what clock they … More Timely Treasures – Gifting a Mechanical Clock

Hilarious and other interesting clock ads

I scour the online for-sale sites frequently and I am always amused by some of the clock ads that folks write. I wish I could post some pictures, some of the clocks are truly pathetic but copyright law prevents me from doing so but at least present the unique descriptions. None of the spelling errors … More Hilarious and other interesting clock ads

The schoolhouse clock that was never called the schoolhouse clock

My recent acquisition of another schoolhouse clock stimulated my curiosity and prompted me to do some research on the origin of the name. In this article I will describe my thoughts on how the schoolhouse clock came to be and my most recent Sessions wall clock purchase. During my research I found it very interesting … More The schoolhouse clock that was never called the schoolhouse clock

Antiquing on a Sunday afternoon

Sadly the number of antique shops in Nova Scotia is dwindling. We were antiquing in the city of Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada) this past spring and one of the store owners remarked that there used to be dozens of antique shops in the city, now only a few remain. There are still a few antique … More Antiquing on a Sunday afternoon

What the term a “fully serviced” clock really means

Everybody appreciates a serviced clock when they are making a purchase. However, there is no acceptable definition for the term “Fully Serviced”. Fully serviced may mean one thing for the amateur clock collector and repairer and another to a professional clock repair shop. The other day I was responding to a FaceBook post which offered a … More What the term a “fully serviced” clock really means

Servicing a Sessions American No. 2 mantel clock Part III

The movement is disassembled and now it is time for further inspection, cleaning, servicing the mainsprings, pegging the pivot holes, polishing the pivots and installing bushings where needed. In this, Part III we will cover cleaning and mainspring servicing. I have a small ultrasonic cleaner so I tend to clean parts in batches since this … More Servicing a Sessions American No. 2 mantel clock Part III