While it is possible to repair an antique clock with common tools, there are limitations to what can be achieved. That’s the short answer. Let’s explore this a little further. Repairing an antique clock with common household tools is possible, but it can be challenging, and it depends on the extent of the repairs needed … More Can I repair my antique clock with common household tools?
Tick-Talk Tuesday is dedicated to addressing readers’ letters and comments related to clock issues, challenges, and recommendations for specific clocks. In cases where the comments and questions are particularly challenging, I seek advice from my fellow clock enthusiasts to provide the most accurate and helpful response. It is important to respond to emails from interested … More Tick Talk Tuesday #46 – I’m looking at a grandfather clock
In a world dominated by digital devices, there is something nostalgic and comforting about antique clocks. These timepieces, often crafted with intricate designs and meticulous attention to detail, remind us of a simpler time when life moved at a slower pace and technology was not as prevalent in our daily lives. Antique clocks, with their … More The Timeless Beauty of Antique Clocks: A Reminder to Slow Down and Savour Life
Tick-Talk Tuesday is dedicated to addressing readers’ letters and comments related to clock issues, challenges, and recommendations for specific clocks. In cases where the comments and questions are particularly challenging, I seek advice from my fellow clock enthusiasts to provide the most accurate and helpful response. It is important to respond to emails from interested … More Tick Talk Tuesday #45 – what is my clock worth
Antique clocks come in a wide variety of styles, makers, and materials, and can range in price from a few hundred to tens of thousands of dollars. Whether you’re a collector, a history buff, or simply appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of antique timepieces, buying an antique clock requires careful consideration and research. In this … More Antique Clock Buying Guide: Tips and Advice for Finding Your Perfect clock
I receive mail from folks who are often surprised the antique clock they just purchased has less value than they think when provided with an explanation. Throughout history, people have often equated age with value. It is a common assumption that an object or idea that has been around for a long time must be … More Why Age Alone Does Not Determine the Value of an Antique Clock
Antique clocks are not only valuable as historical artifacts but also as complex machines that require precise repair and maintenance. To ensure their longevity and functionality, clock repairers need to have access to advanced tools that can help them diagnose and fix various issues. From ultrasonic cleaners to digital calipers, the modern clock repairer has … More More advanced clock repair tools for the budget minded and those of you who can afford the extra cost
Bushing wear is a common issue that can occur on antique brass clock movements. A bushing is a small hole drilled into the plate that is used to support the pivots and reduce friction between the pivots and the clock’s plates. Over time, the bushings can become worn down or damaged due to friction, which … More Restoring an Antique Sessions Schoolhouse Clock: Repairing Bushing Wear and Overcoming Common Issues
When Daylight Saving Time (DST) begins, we lose an hour. When it ends, we gain an hour. There are several reasons why some people advocate for ending daylight saving time (DST): Disruption of sleep patterns: Changing the clocks forward or backward by an hour can disrupt people’s sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and other health problems. … More Let’s end Daylight Savings Time
The Sessions Clock Company of America was one of the leading clock manufacturers in the United States in the early 20th century. Founded in 1903 by William E. Sessions and Aaron Lufkin Dennison in Forestville, Connecticut, the company quickly gained a reputation for producing clocks that were both reliable and affordable. Over the years, the … More A diminutive schoolhouse clock by Sessions
Vienna regulator weight-driven wall clocks are a type of mechanical clock that originated in Austria in the mid-19th century. These clocks are named after the city of Vienna, where they were first produced and gained popularity throughout Europe. They are known for their unique design, which features a long, slender case with a glass door … More Vienna Regulator – the pinnacle of clock artistry
I am not a huge fan of gingerbread clocks which were very popular in America at the turn of the 20th century. Every major manufacturer made them and they sold like hotcakes. Thousands have survived and a quick perusal of online auction sites any day of the week will reveal dozens if not hundreds of … More Sessions Grand Assortment – finally completed!
Confronted with the prospect of finding little else about William McLachlan I was curious about how ChatGPT might help. Read on and you will find the results quite interesting. First of all, what is ChatGPT? ChatGPT is a sophisticated computer program that is designed to understand natural language input from users and generate appropriate (my … More William McLachlan – Scottish clockmaker – what ChatGPT taught me
I was very close to trashing this little Jerome & Co. time-only cottage clock but decided to give myself a real challenge and bring the clock back to something presentable. So far the project is progressing reasonably well. The door trim has been completed, and the movement has been serviced. Serviced in the spring of … More Jerome & Co. Rose Cottage clock – dial work completed
Since winning this tall-case clock at auction in the spring of 2020 I have been intrigued about its origin. The information provided at the time was that it was made in Scotland or England in or around the mid-1800s but it could not have been made after 1852 as I will explain later. Its features … More Scottish tall case clock – who was Wm. McLachlan of Newton Stewart?
Well, it’s that time of the year. What is my best clock acquisition of the past year? You can decide for yourself and leave a comment but I will reveal my favorite at the end of the post. As a clock hobbyist, I have had little difficulty locating interesting clocks and every year I have … More Best clock acquisition of 2022
I received an email from a blog fan this week who posed an interesting question. She was concerned that a number of clocks offered for sale at a local antique store had radium dials. I assured her that I know of no maker of mantel, shelf, or long case clocks that used radium on their … More Clocks with luminous dials – the danger within
It is always challenging to find time to work on projects when life is busy. I picked up some part-time work this winter, teaching at a community college so between that my clock hobby teaching has taken precedence, for now. Since the post on extreme restoration a week or so ago, I have continued planning … More Jerome cottage clock – progress so far
A blog fan contacted me recently and asked me if I wanted literally hundreds of old clock periodicals and bulletins. I thought about it and knew that some of the periodicals would have some value to me as a clock repairer and restorer. And I was not wrong! The story is that the donor did … More Periodicals from 15-20 years ago donated by a blog fan – what to do with them
What to do with this cute Jerome & Co. CA 1870 cottage clock? I worked on the movement in the spring of 2022 and even at that point I was not sure what to do with the clock case. The tiny movement intrigued me and I wanted to have it running but the case – … More Jerome Rose Cottage clock – a candidate for extreme restoration?
Last week (January 20, 2023) I wrote about a wonderful little marine clock that I have just not had the time to service completely. A few weeks ago I cleaned the movement and polished the pivots and left it. All that was left was the bushing work. I spent a few hours on it today … More Welch Marine clock – let’s call it a work in progress
Just before Christmas 2022, I published an article on a Hamilton Clock Co. 30-hour ogee that I won at auction earlier in 2022. I had been delaying repairs on the case for months and finally found the time to tackle the veneer work. I seem to be strangely attracted to ogee clocks, this is my … More After veneer repairs, the Hamilton ogee case is finished
Some months ago I cleaned the case of this 30-hour marine clock and even polished the bezel. While it looked absolutely stunning on the wall it did not run well, losing upwards of 10 minutes per hour, and of course by any measure that is significant. It is time to find out why. The 30-hour … More E. N. Welch Marine clock – why is this clock running so slow?
My wife calls it the clock office. It is, after all where I work on my clocks and where some are on display. It is also where I compose articles for this blog. However, it has been getting very cluttered, and I am tired of how disorganized it looks. We have 4 bedrooms in our … More From chaos to order – reorganizing my clock office
Ah, the days when clock companies put a little time and effort into their designs. The Seth Thomas company, in its heyday, produced many attractive clocks and this eight-day shelf clock is one of the finest examples of the 1870s. It is a rather large round top shelf clock measuring 15 inches in height, 10 … More Seth Thomas round top shelf clock – simplicity is its strongest suit
Collecting, Repairing and Restoring Antique/Vintage Clocks
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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