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
The psychology of auctions, now that would be a fascinating study. How bidders behave, the frenzy of bidding wars often called “auction fever“, and the emotions wrapped into the pursuit of that one item everybody seems to want would be very enlightening. Auctions are fantastic places to find great deals. I have found many clocks … More Clock auctions – Ron’s rules for bidding
This 30-hour shelf clock (hour strike) was manufactured by American clock-maker E. Ingraham and Co. in the 1870s. There are various iterations of the name over the maker’s history but this was the one the company used from 1861 to 1880. The clock was bought at auction in mid-March 2022 along with 3 other clocks. … More Refreshing an Ingraham “octagon top” 30-hour shelf clock – keep or sell?
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 PN writes: We bought this … More Tick Talk Tuesday #41 – who made this clock?
Schatz and Sohne, the maker of this pretty little 8-day carriage clock may not have considered that one day their carriage clocks would require servicing. Did they make a throw-away clock? We’ll see. Many were sold and typically gifted to family, friends, and business associates. Over the years they have either been tossed out, found … More Schatz and Sohne carriage clock – a second look
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 NT writes: I was wondering … More Tick Talk Tuesday #39 – Mauthe box clock
Schatz and Sohne, the maker of this attractive 8-day carriage clock may not have considered the fact one day their carriage clocks would require servicing. Did they make a throw-away clock? We’ll see. Many were sold and gifted to family, friends, and business associates. Over the years they have either been tossed out, found their … More Are inexpensive carriage clocks worth fixing? Schatz and Sohne
A mainspring’s purpose is to provide motive power for the wheels to move in a clock train. All mechanical clocks require a power source and the power source may be by weight or spring. Mechanical clocks that have mainsprings will have one, two, or three winding points which, once wound provide power for a clock’s … More Should mainsprings be routinely replaced on an antique clock when servicing?
During the Christmas season, we split our time between Calgary, Alberta, and Ottawa, Ontario to see our 2 daughters. While in Calgary my wife spotted an interesting item on an Ottawa Facebook Marketplace, an English time and strike clock. She showed me the photo and I said, “that does not look like any English clock … More Dating a Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik (HAU) shelf clock
On November 2-3, 2019 the Maritime Association of Watch and Clock Collectors held its first meeting. Members came together from various parts of the Maritimes to meet in Prince Edward Island (Canada) to form a club of like-minded individuals. Unfortunately the pandemic scuttled all plans for a subsequent meeting but the climate is right for … More Maritime Association of Watch and Clock Collectors
I have just one other Kienzle clock in my collection and it is a rather unusual one, the World Time desk clock from the 1940s. I do not come across Kienzle clocks very often. They are no lessor quality than most German clocks, I just don’t see many around this region. The latest is a … More Kienzle time and strike movement servicing
If you are a collector or simply have a general interest in mechanical clocks and wish to sell antique and/or vintage clocks then, read on. I am not a seller but I purchase clocks to build my collection. I occasionally sell clocks locally as a way to manage my collection. Most of the clocks I’ve … More Tips on selling (or buying) an antique or vintage 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, challenges you face, a clock you would like me to profile, my advice on your particular clock concern or a general clock question. For those comments and questions that stump even me, … More Tick Talk Tuesday #33 – buying a vintage grandfather clock – advice for a reader
Perhaps recognizable as one of the most common regulator clocks in America, the Seth Thomas Regulator #2 was found in many railway stations, offices. libraries and other public places across America during the last century, a testament to its accuracy and dependability. It is a robust, accurate, well-engineered, and dependable timepiece that was made by … More Seth Thomas #2 has stopped – cleaning and bushing work should put it right
There’s something deeply satisfying about winding a mechanical clock—feeling the tension build in the spring or watching the weights slowly rise as you turn the key. That simple ritual connects you to generations past, when timekeeping was both a science and a daily habit. Among the many types of mechanical clocks, the 8-day clock holds … More An 8-day clock – what does that mean?
For today’s post, we are looking at a German time and strike mantel clock with a Hermle movement and sold in Canada under the Solar name. It has a 6″ dial and dark walnut case that would have been around $50 or $60 when new in the 1960s. At about 13” wide by 7” high … More Solar mantel clock servicing – just one hiccup, well, a couple actually
Let me start by saying that opinions on torsion clocks are divided—some people have great success with them, while others absolutely loathe them. Despite their seemingly simple design, they can cause endless frustration, which is why many clock repairers tend to avoid them. Fortunately, I seem to be one of the lucky ones. I gifted … More Anniversary clock repair – a replacement suspension spring
This post is about a mantel clock made by the Forestville Clock Company of Canada and some challenges servicing the movement. In 2013 we were on a visit to the Thousand Islands and stopped at an antique store in Gananoque, Ontario. As my wife and I were strolling through the store and she noticed this … More Forestville mantel clock servicing – not fun when things go wrong! Part I
It is time to service the movement on this mid-thirties German box clock. It was purchased at an antique mall in Peterborough, Ontario in May of 2017, and other than oiling, nothing has been done to it. While it has been running well since then, it is due for servicing. Plus, this little project is … More Mauthe box clock movement servicing
The Westclox Clock Company is best known for various versions of Big Ben and Baby Ben windup alarm clocks produced from 1909 to the mid 1980s though the later Chinese clocks did not compare with the better made American versions. In the Art Deco style is the LaSalle series. Both of these clocks (above) are … More LaSalle Dura alarm clock movement cleaned and running
While refreshing the case of this relatively nondescript mantel clock assembled by a short-lived Canadain clock company I ran into two interesting surprises. Here is a garden-variety vintage Westminster chime mantel clock from the Fleet Time Company of Montreal (Canada). Many of these clocks were sold at department stores across Canada during the pre-war (WWII) … More Fleet Time company of Montreal – case refinishing and 2 surprises
Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clock, issues you might have had, challenges you face or a clock you would like me to profile and my responses to your questions with advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that stump … More Tick Talk Tuesday #22 – parts for my Daniel Dakota clock
French clockmakers such as Vedette, like so many makers of 1930s Europe, made box clocks in several styles. Although I have always wanted a Vedette clock buying one so plain was not what I had in mind but there it was at a silent auction in a clock mart at the NAWCC National Convention in … More Vedette box clock – the plainest Vedette I have ever seen
I frequently take photos of clocks in antique stores. If asked I say that I have a friend who is looking for that exact clock and I usually get away with it. In Ladysmith, British Columbia I came across a Canadian clock that I have never seen before. On the bottom of the dial it … More Who or what is Aro Clock Company of Montreal?
My wife was going through the online catalogue of an estate auction recently and found an attractive vintage Gilbert tambour style clock. “Are you interested?” she said. “Sure”, I said, “put a maximum bid of $35”. We won the bid at $25 + tax and buyer’s premium, so, still under $35 CDN. Would I have … More Gilbert model 2038 8-day mantel clock with Normandy Chime
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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