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.)
How It All Began: My First Steps with WordPress Ten years ago, I attended a staff development conference workshop on WordPress. The instructor promised that by the end of the three-hour session, we would each have a live blog up and running. Wow, now that’s impressive, I thought! I was intrigued and started thinking about … More 10 years of Clock Blogging | What I’ve Learned Along the Way
Normally, my blog articles are a quick 3 to 5-minute read and include visuals to engage the reader. Within the next two weeks or so, I will be publishing a more in-depth article on Craftline Industries, a Canadian furniture and grandfather clock maker that was very active from the 1960s through the early 1990s. If … More Uncovering Craftline Industries: A Canadian Producer of Grandfather Clocks | A Prelude to an Upcoming Feature Story
It is uncommon for a mechanical clock to run 25, 30 years or more with nothing more done to it other than the occasional oiling. I recently received a letter from someone who had taken his clock to a repair shop, where he was quoted a high price (in my view) for the repair and … More How to Prolong the Life of Your Mechanical Clock
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
There are thousands of clock photos on the internet, ranging from stunningly detailed images to blurry, poorly lit snapshots. As an amateur photographer, I appreciate the effort some put into capturing high-quality images, but it’s frustrating to see clocks photographed in poor light, out of focus, or with distracting backgrounds. Whether you are showcasing a … More How to Photograph Clocks Like a Pro: 7 Essential Tips
When local daylight time approaches Sunday, November 3, 2024, at 2:00 AM, clocks will be set back one hour to 1:00 AM local standard time instead. As a result, on November 3, 2024, sunrise and sunset will occur approximately one hour earlier than the previous day. This change means there will be more daylight in … More Why Nova Scotia Should Eliminate Daylight Saving Time
The Confusion Between the Terms Antique and Vintage Among clock collectors and owners of older items, there’s considerable confusion surrounding the correct use of the terms “antique” and “vintage.” These terms are often used interchangeably, and more often than not, incorrectly. According to U.S. law, an “antique” refers to items that are over 100 years … More Clearing Up “Vintage” and “Antique” Confusion for Collectors
You have just brought a clock that was running smoothly when you first saw it. You bring it home, select a location to display it, reattach the pendulum, and give it a slight push but after a few seconds, it stops. One crucial aspect of keeping a mechanical clock functioning properly is making sure it … More How to Keep Your Clock In Beat
Every year, my wife and I embark on a fall getaway to our cottage in central Canada to celebrate Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving is a time to express gratitude for the harvest and the blessings of the past year, celebrated with family and friends. It signifies togetherness, reflection, and the importance of giving thanks for life’s abundance. … More Fall Getaway in Central Canada: Our Thanksgiving Tradition
Every clock owner wants to know what their clock is worth, and every seller hopes to sell for as much as possible. This guide offers a framework to evaluate antique and vintage clocks for both buyers and sellers, starting with insights into the unpredictable clock market. The Unpredictable Clock Market Determining the value of a … More Assessing Antique and Vintage Clock Values: Key Factors
I often wonder about the stories behind my clocks. Antique and vintage clocks evoke a time when life seemed simpler, a stark contrast to today’s frenetic pace. Old clocks serve as living memories, cherished relics of people and places that are long gone but not forgotten. Ideally, they should be passed down through generations. Yet, … More The Stories Behind My Antique and Vintage Clocks
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
Are you searching for a unique gift for a friend or family member? Have you ever considered giving an antique or vintage clock? It is the perfect, memorable gift. Whether you’re familiar with antique and vintage clocks or completely new to the world of horology, you will need guidance in finding the right clock for … More Mechanical Clocks Guide | Tips for Selecting the Ideal Antique or Vintage Clock Gift
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
Occasionally I have clocks gifted to me as in the case of this lovely Art Deco-style German round-top wall clock made by Kienzle. The gift was greatly appreciated, although there was a small condition attached, which I will explain later. There are times when people consider gifting me a clock but hesitate because of the … More 1930 Kienzle Box Clock | A Heartfelt Gift and Memorable Encounter
I have worn a smartwatch (actually 2 of them) for over 5 years and am done with it. I have decided to move back to a watch. Call this post a bit of a rant but I have been contemplating this for a while. While I profile mechanical clocks on my blog, I also have … More A growing trend, perhaps | the move away from Smartwatches
Who is Craftline and why do we know so little about a company that sold fine clocks that adorned the living rooms of many Canadian homes from coast to coast? In the 1970s through the 1980s and into the 1990s, having a grandfather clock in the home was a symbol of success, and many families … More A challenge to anyone who can help unearth the history of the Craftline Clock Company
People often ask me about the value of their mechanical clock(s), but the reality is, that many of them turn out to be either common mantel clocks, clocks made in China, or clocks that have little resale value. Of course, there is the odd gem! Expressing that the clock may not be worth as much … More The awkward task of telling someone the true value of a Common Clock
Life is not perfect. Why should our antique clocks be any different? As we grow older, our possessions undergo a similar transformation. Just as aging imparts a unique character to metal through oxidation and rust, the term “patina” extends beyond its common association with metallic items to antique objects generally. It encapsulates the idea that … More In the race to perfection we forgot about patina
Engaging in a fulfilling hobby like clock repair and restoration can offer immense benefits for the soul, especially during retirement. Horology provides a respite from life’s pressures and allows individuals to use their time constructively. Here are several compelling reasons why having a hobby like clock-making is invaluable for retirees and those approaching retirement. Boosts … More The Therapeutic Art of Clock Repair in Retirement
It’s time for us to unwind, slow down, and embrace a change of scenery. My wife and I are heading to our cottage in central Canada for the summer season, where we plan to relax, read good books, indulge in fishing, swimming, and hiking, and share stories with friends and neighbors while savoring a glass … More Taking a break
Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from readers concerning clock issues, challenges faced, a clock you would profiled or advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that stump even me, I consult within my clock circles for the best possible answer ED writes Good morning, I … More Tick Talk Tuesday #44 – What can you tell me about this clock?
This wall clock was gifted to me in the spring of 2022. I have no idea who made the clock, there are no markings on the case or the movement. It was likely sold by the Forestville Clock Company of Toronto in the 1960s and my guess, a Hermle movement. I could find nothing else … More Wag on a wall – servicing a well engineered movement
Let’s clear something up right away: I am not a “Dunkin Swish” enthusiast. If you’ve been researching the clock-collecting world for a while, you might have come across this term. If you haven’t, consider yourself lucky—it’s something best avoided at all costs. “Dunkin Swish” (apologies to those named Duncan) refers to the practice of placing … More Cleaning an antique/vintage clock movement – Ron’s method
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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