Tag: antique clock

Idioms and Expressions with the word “Clock” and/or “Time” in Them | 2026 edition

April 20, 2026

idioms are fixed phrases or expressions whose meanings can’t be understood just by interpreting the individual words. Their meanings are figurative and widely recognized within a particular culture or language. Every language has its own idioms. In horology, we have quite a few, and it’s fascinating how the word “clock” plays such a prominent role … More Idioms and Expressions with the word “Clock” and/or “Time” in Them | 2026 edition

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Restoring the Balance of a Mauthe Horse Crown Vienna Style Wall Clock

April 13, 2026

Some clocks have a way of drawing you in immediately, and this Vienna-style wall clock made by Friedrich Mauthe was one of those pieces. The moment I saw it, I knew it had presence—it becomes part of the room. With its rich walnut case, turned columns, and the distinctive horse finial crowning the top pediment, … More Restoring the Balance of a Mauthe Horse Crown Vienna Style Wall Clock

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The Rise of the German Box Clock: A U. M. Müller Example

April 6, 2026

U. M. Müller clocks were once a familiar name in households across Europe, yet today the brand is not as widely recognized among collectors as some of the larger German makers. That is a bit surprising, because the company produced clocks that could easily stand beside the finest German manufacturers of the early twentieth century. … More The Rise of the German Box Clock: A U. M. Müller Example

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Gustav Becker 2 weight clock

Re-Bushing, Reassembly & Testing of a Gustav Becker Regulator

March 30, 2026

This two-weightGustav Becker regulator wall clock, purchased in 2016 as a “project clock,” proved early on to be more challenging than I thought. This is the third and final post in this series. For the story behind this clock and an analysis of the steps taken so far, the first and the second posts can … More Re-Bushing, Reassembly & Testing of a Gustav Becker Regulator

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Walter Clocks of Toronto: A Nearly Forgotten Chapter in Canadian Clockmaking

March 23, 2026

Among Canadian clocks, some names are immediately recognizable — Pequegnat, Canada Clock Company, Hamilton Clock Company, Wesclox from Peterbourough or Seth Thomas and New Haven imports sold through Canadian retailers. Others, however, tell a quieter story. Walter Clocks of Toronto belongs firmly in that second group, yet its history represents one of the last meaningful … More Walter Clocks of Toronto: A Nearly Forgotten Chapter in Canadian Clockmaking

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Screw drivers, clock tools

A New Resource Page for Clock Enthusiasts: Tools I Use for Clock Repair

March 16, 2026

Over the years, many readers have asked what tools, oils, and supplies I use when working on antique clocks. While I occasionally mention these items in various posts, I realized it might be helpful to bring everything together in one convenient place. I’ve now added a new resource page to the blog titled “Tools I … More A New Resource Page for Clock Enthusiasts: Tools I Use for Clock Repair

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Daylight Saving Time and Mechanical Clocks — A Love-Hate Relationship

March 7, 2026

Twice each year, most people casually change the time on a microwave or stove clock and carry on with life. Those of us who collect mechanical clocks, however, prepare for what can only be described as a seasonal endurance event. Yes — Daylight Saving Time has arrived again. For the general public, DST is a … More Daylight Saving Time and Mechanical Clocks — A Love-Hate Relationship

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A Return to the Bench: Wear-Related Strike Problems in a Gustav Becker P27

March 2, 2026

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

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Siezed time-only movement

Can a Seized, Rusty Clock Movement Be Saved? An Ansonia Case Study

February 23, 2026

Some time ago, I was up for a real challenge when I bought an old clock that seemed hopelessly irreparable. While picking up another clock, the seller threw this one in for a few dollars more. The clock, an Ansonia Extra Drop, was in pieces and had been stored in a barn—literally—for many years. The … More Can a Seized, Rusty Clock Movement Be Saved? An Ansonia Case Study

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What to expect in 2026 | Will Clock Prices Rise Again?

February 16, 2026

Visitors to my site often ask what their clock is worth. Occasionally, someone has a very unique clock that is difficult to value, but more often, the clock they believe is valuable turns out to be very common and worth little or nothing, even though it may be 100+ years old. As we often say … More What to expect in 2026 | Will Clock Prices Rise Again?

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Gustav Becker 2 weight clock

Ten Years Later: An Odd Strike Issue in a Gustav Becker P27 Movement

February 9, 2026

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

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Gravity Never Sleeps: A Tall-Case Clock Warning

February 2, 2026

This is a cautionary tale for anyone who owns a long-case or tall-case clock, especially a weight-driven example. I make that distinction because I do own a tall-case clock that is spring-driven, which I can assure you is quite unusual. Most, however, are weight-driven. The other day, I went to investigate an issue with the … More Gravity Never Sleeps: A Tall-Case Clock Warning

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A Letter of Praise Nearly Fooled Me | A Cautionary Tale

January 26, 2026

I receive many honest and sincere letters from readers of my blog, and I truly enjoy responding to the many clock questions and challenges. But one letter I received recently gave me reason to think twice — the first of its kind I have ever received. Here it is: “Dear Ron, I wanted to reach … More A Letter of Praise Nearly Fooled Me | A Cautionary Tale

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How to Start an Antique Clock Collection: Tips for Beginners

January 19, 2026

Starting an antique clock collection can be both exciting and a little overwhelming. With so many styles, makers, movements, and time periods to choose from, it’s easy to wonder where to begin. The good news is that you don’t need deep pockets or expert knowledge on day one—just curiosity, patience, and a willingness to learn. … More How to Start an Antique Clock Collection: Tips for Beginners

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George H Clark 30-hour ogee clock

How Much Can You Change A Clock Before It Loses Its Identity?

January 12, 2026

Some time ago, I posted an article on Minimal Invasive Intervention, in which I posed a question that often haunts clock collectors: how far should one go to repair, restore, or conserve a clock without changing it in a significant way? This question came up in a conversation with my daughter, a civil engineer, who … More How Much Can You Change A Clock Before It Loses Its Identity?

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A Clock Collection in Motion | The Dynamic Nature of Clock Collecting

January 5, 2026

If you’re a collector of any kind, you’ll relate to what I have to say in this blog article. In the early years of collecting anything, many of us follow a very familiar path. We begin with breadth rather than depth, acquiring whatever speaks to us, and for me, it was mantel clocks, shelf clocks, … More A Clock Collection in Motion | The Dynamic Nature of Clock Collecting

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Timeless Beginnings: A Horologist’s New Year Reflection

December 29, 2025

As the New Year approaches, I often find myself listening to the steady tick of an antique clock. There’s something comforting about it — that quiet rhythm marking the end of one chapter and the start of another. Picture a cozy room on New Year’s Eve. Maybe there’s a fire crackling, friends chatting, and somewhere … More Timeless Beginnings: A Horologist’s New Year Reflection

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Taking a Moment of Your Time This Christmas

December 22, 2025

There’s something especially magical about antique clocks during the Christmas season. Each one seems to hold onto time’s most precious moments, quietly ticking through memories of holidays long past. I often picture a cozy room bathed in soft, twinkling lights, with a tall case clock standing proudly in the corner — a symbol of craftsmanship … More Taking a Moment of Your Time This Christmas

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Clock face showing moon dial

Are Grandfather Clocks Making a Comeback?

December 15, 2025

Will grandfather clock prices go up in 2026? That’s the question. And while no one can predict the market with certainty, there are a few subtle signs worth paying attention to. Just recently, I came across a recent article in House Beautiful titled “This Status Symbol From Your Grandmother’s House Is Suddenly Cool Again.” The … More Are Grandfather Clocks Making a Comeback?

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The Clock That Wasn’t Complete: My Waterbury Suffolk Discovery

December 8, 2025

This clock wasn’t one I set out to find. My wife and I were wandering through a sprawling antique shop in Almonte, Ontario—the kind of place where time itself seems to stand still. She drifted upstairs while I lingered below, each of us lost in our own quiet hunt. A few minutes later, she appeared … More The Clock That Wasn’t Complete: My Waterbury Suffolk Discovery

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Echoes of an Unknown Maker: A Banjo Clock’s Journey Through Time

November 24, 2025

The American Banjo clock — often just called a banjo clock — got its name from the shape of its case, which resembles a banjo musical instrument. Although the design was patented in 1802 by Simon Willard, a renowned clockmaker from Roxbury, Massachusetts, Willard referred to his invention as the “Improved Timepiece,” not a banjo … More Echoes of an Unknown Maker: A Banjo Clock’s Journey Through Time

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Echoes of Time: The Ansonia Wall Clock That Waited Fifty Years to Tick Again

November 17, 2025

We live in the northern part of Nova Scotia, and a trip to the Annapolis Valley for clock hunting is always a pleasure on an early fall day. It’s one of the province’s most beautiful regions — a mix of rolling hills, orchards, small farms, and picturesque little towns that always seem to welcome you … More Echoes of Time: The Ansonia Wall Clock That Waited Fifty Years to Tick Again

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Antique Clocks and the Term ‘Fully Serviced’: What Every Buyer Should Know

November 10, 2025

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

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The Lank House Clock: Tracing a Mauthe Wall Clock Through Parrsboro’s Past

November 3, 2025

Not long ago, my wife and I were attending a medical appointment in Springhill, Nova Scotia. While we were in the area, we decided that a side trip to Parrsboro fit the bill, as the town was less than a half-hour drive away. It was a leisurely, sunny fall day as we drove through the … More The Lank House Clock: Tracing a Mauthe Wall Clock Through Parrsboro’s Past

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