There is a thin line between restoring a clock case to its former glory and ruining it forever. While the intent is to make them look like the day they were made, many clocks get stripped and poorly refinished and the results are beyond sad. Although there is much debate in the world of antique … More The thin line between restoring a clock to its former glory and ruining it
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 GB writes: Yesterday I pick … More Tick Talk Tuesday #38 – Swigart replacement dial
Daylight saving time in Canada begins March 13th and ends on Nov. 6, 2022. Do we need it! Daylight Savings Time has no place in our modern world. Of 195 countries in the world, approximately 70 countries observe Daylight Saving Time in at least a portion of the country. Japan, India, and China are the … More Daylight savings – let’s get rid of it
I have written about this clock several times in the past 10 months but I am making good progress which I will detail in this article. This is how it arrived at my house last spring, dull and lifeless but with good bones and most everything original. First, some background information about the clock. This … More Sawin banjo clock – almost done, 3 more items to address
A mechanical clock is a machine and all machines require periodic maintenance. Five years might be considered a long time since the movement on a Sessions time and strike mantel clock was first worked on when 2-3 years is the norm between service intervals but let’s agree that it has not been an easy time … More A Sessions clock is on the bench 5 years later – what needs to be done?
This morning I posted an article that was not quite ready for publication. Some of you might have seen it and it certainly looked like a lot of gibberish. I had been working on a number of other articles and just forgot to do my final edits for this one. My apologies. The article has … More Not ready for prime time – incorrect posting
There is no single method of dating an antique or vintage clock but there are some strong clues in some cases and subtle inferences in others that help determine when a clock was manufactured. Occasionally, the exact month and year is displayed somewhere on the case, and in other instances the clock by way of … More Dating an antique or vintage clock – Part I
Is it worth the time and expense to have a clock professionally serviced? That is the question of the day. I receive many letters from people who ask whether a clock handed down to them is worth repairing/preserving. It is not an easy question to answer. Shared history and stories connected with the clock can … More Having a professional service your clock
This clock was bought at auction in Ottawa, Ontario, and hung on the wall of the kitchen at our cottage in Quebec for 4 years. The clock was imported from Germany and sold by the Forestville Clock Co. of Toronto, Canada. It was never a great timekeeper probably because it had never been properly cleaned. … More Delft clock by Forestville – Let’s take it apart and see what we have
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?
A mechanical clock is more than just a sum of its parts; it is a remarkable machine designed to measure, verify, keep, and indicate time. These devices allow us to measure intervals shorter than the natural units of the day, the lunar month, or the year. How many machines can you name that run almost … More How does a mechanical clock work?
Traditional shellac may provide the ideal finish you are looking for when deciding whether or not to finish that newly acquired antique clock. A modern polyurethane finish is not a substitute for traditional shellac. Polyurethane is tough and easy to work with but not reversible. Unfortunately, many people resort to using modern finishes on antique … More Traditional shellac may provide the ideal finish for your antique clock
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
This Fleet Time mantel clock is a generic mantel clock with a walnut finish, flat front, a slightly domed top, and step-side features. Simple but attractive. Fleet assembled clocks sourced from German parts in the Montreal area for 4 years prior to WWII. While the case looks great after refinishing, I was oh so close … More Fleet Time replacement movement needed – calling all clock parts collectors
A century ago, clock manufacturers understood the power of marketing, and the word “Regulator” became a key tool in their strategy to boost sales. By simply labeling a clock with “Regulator,” they could make it appear more precise and desirable, even if it wasn’t a true regulator. But is this a hard-and-fast rule? Let’s take … More If it says Regulator on your clock it is likely NOT a Regulator?
My wife found this 8-day Schatz carriage clock while she was browsing for antiques on Facebook marketplace for what we both felt was an attractive price. I had dealt with the seller in the past and he is known for his honesty and selling clocks at a reasonable price. I do not believe his intention … More Schatz carriage clock with an interesting visible escapement
Will antique and vintage clock prices go up or down in 2022? Is this the time to buy or sell? Read further for my thoughts and observations. First off, some definitions. According to the United States Government, the term “antique” is reserved for items that are over a century old. Webster’s dictionary defines an antique as a … More Will antique/vintage clock prices go up or down in 2022?
A few weeks back I published an article on clock testing stands. While a single clock stand would be ideal for all movement testing purposes there are so many different types and styles of movements that one size does not fit all. The one stand I was missing was for testing weight-driven ogee style clocks … More A custom test stand for weight driven ogee style clocks
WordPress comes with an interesting dashboard. The dashboard provides me as author and developer with a back-end tool that provides a wealth of statistical information. The information allows me to track viewership and tailor my articles according to interest as shown by the number of clicks which is a measure of the level of interest. … More Where do our readers come from?
The results are in. By a small margin, your pick for the best clock of the year is the Sawin banjo clock. A great choice and one I would have picked had I not been frustrated with it during the restoration process but at the end of the day, my favorite is the Gilbert Shawville … More Readers pick for the best clock of 2021
The time has come to determine the best clock acquisition of the past year. As a clock hobbyist, I have had little difficulty locating interesting clocks over the years, and despite the seemingly never-ending pandemic, I have scored a few in 2021 though the past year has been leaner than most. In the early days … More Best clock acquisition of 2021
Ringing in the New Year is for reminiscing, reliving, looking back, and looking forward. However, I’ll be honest; let’s hope that 2022 is a whole lot better. We got through 2021 but for many of us, the ongoing pandemic has left an indelible mark. Promises were made and broken, plans were made and altered, hopes … More A Happy New Year to all
The last two years have taught us to be very thankful for family, friends, and relationships. Of course, we all wish we could be celebrating the holidays in a very different way in 2021 but just when we thought we were seeing the end of the pandemic another wave is crashing over us. Unfortunately, celebrations … More Happy Holidays Everyone
I love this clock. It is one of my favorites. Bought in the fall of 2018, it has been on the kitchen wall and running ever since. Arthur Pequegnat clocks have a solid construction, robust movements, conservative designs, are among the most dependable and reliable clocks in my collection. this model is called the Moncton. … More The Moncton – double spring time only – Part II – servicing the movement
Canadian clock collectors are very familiar with the name Arthur Pequegnat and associate the maker’s clocks with a solid construction, robust movements, conservative designs, and nationalism since many clocks were named after towns and cities in Canada. The Moncton was named after the City of Moncton in New Brunswick, Canada. The Moncton was often found … More The Moncton – double spring time only – Part 1 – assessing the movement prior to servicing
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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