Like a car engine, oil is the lifeblood of a clock, and correct lubrication is essential for ensuring a long life for the timepiece. Lubrication is crucial for the efficient operation of any mechanical clock movement. However, it’s important to note that oiling a movement without first disassembling and cleaning it is not usually recommended. … More Proper Clock Lubrication: Essential Tips and Techniques
Mechanical clocks, especially older or larger ones, can pose various dangers during operation and maintenance. In this post, we will cover some of the risks and hazards. Mainsprings Do not underestimate the power of a clock with mainsprings. Mechanical clocks often use powerful mainsprings to drive their mechanisms. If these components are mishandled, they can … More How to Safely Operate and Maintain Mechanical Clocks: Tips and Hazards
My collection of clocks is divided between my home in Nova Scotia and our cottage in Central Canada. Part of my collection is there because I am not the type of person who abandons a hobby; I make it a part of my everyday life. Although not an even split, about 15% of the collection … More A Collection of Antique Clocks at Our Summer Refuge
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
This is very good news for clock lovers in Canada. I have not ordered clock supplies in some months and reported in an earlier post that W. H. Perrin and company had ceased operations as a clock parts supplier to Canadians. The company has been reborn as Perrin Supply Ltd (new owners). Instead of Toronto … More Clock Parts Supplier Perrin Supply Ltd Resumes Operations in Vancouver
It’s time to relax and slow down. For my wife and me, that means a change of scenery as we travel to our cottage in central Canada to spend the summer season with friends and family. Our summer getaway plan includes relaxing with a few good books, fishing, swimming, hiking, and sharing stories with friends … More Summer Getaway to Central Canada | Relaxing, Clock Hunting, and More
Exploring Amazon’s selection of clock repair manuals presents several appealing options. However, purchasing these manuals can be intriguing, as it’s often challenging to know exactly what you’re getting until they arrive at your door. I bought three such clock repair manuals this spring. The “Antique Clocks Repair Manual” by Phoenix Publishing, “Clock Repairing for Beginners … More AI-generated clock repair manuals and other clock repair book discoveries
When my wife’s parents sold their home in a small town in Nova Scotia in 1996, they passed on a wall clock, which had been given to my father-in-law by a patient and had hung on the wall in the main hallway of their home, to his son, my wife’s brother. It has been in … More German Box Clock Restoration | A Family Heirloom
Kienzle might not ring a bell for many clock enthusiasts, but it was a major German producer of clocks for the general public. Kienzle Uhren GmbH, was founded in 1822 by Johannes Schlenker in Schwenningen, in Black Forest region. Jakob Kienzle joined the family by marriage in 1883 and became the sole owner in 1897. … More Troubleshooting a Time-Side Mainspring Issue in a Kienzle Wall Clock
The Great Clock of Westminister is in the center of London, England. However, if you mentioned that you saw the Great Clock in London you would be met with puzzled looks. Big Ben is the nickname for the great bell of the Great Clock of Westminster and by extension the clock tower itself. Tower clock … More Big Ben, the most famous tower clock in the world
In Part I, I explained the importance of bushing to mitigate wear on a mechanical clock movement. In summary, bushing involves replacing worn brass around a pivot by drilling a new hole and inserting a new bushing, either using a bushing machine or hand tools. Severely worn pivots may need re-pivoting, which involves installing new … More Understanding Clock Pivot Wear and Bushing: Part II of Two-Part Series
Old clocks often have rich histories that reflect the technological advancements and craftsmanship of their time. Exploring these clocks provides a unique perspective on the history of timekeeping, engineering, and artistry in the UK. Many of these clocks are tied to significant historical events or figures, offering a tangible connection to the past. Many old … More Castle Combe’s Clock: Unveiling A 17th-Century Turret clock in the Cotswolds
Is your mechanical clock experiencing issues such as intermittent stopping or simply not running at all? This might be due to several issues with the movement, one of which could be pivot wear. This is a two-part series. In Part I, I will explain why it is necessary to bush a clock movement, and in … More Understanding Clock Pivot Wear and Bushing: Part I of Two-Part Series
My wife and I recently returned from a three-week vacation in the UK. Although the trip wasn’t specifically focused on clock museums and similar attractions, I still managed to gather a significant amount of information/photos about clocks. Unfortunately, during our visit, a family member passed away, and I couldn’t keep up with my regular blog … More Back from the UK: Updates and Catching Up
Tick-Talk Tuesday is a special time when I respond to readers’ letters and comments about clock issues, challenges, and recommendations for specific clocks. When the comments and questions are especially complex, I consult with fellow clock enthusiasts within my circle to ensure I offer the most precise and helpful answers possible. BC writes: I stumbled … More Tick talk Tuesday #54 – Where to find a repair shop in Nova Scotia
Retirement certainly offers its perks. In the coming weeks, I plan to delve into some of my clock-related adventures, which will involve traveling to the UK. I’ve always been captivated by the world around us, and I’m excited to explore as much as I can during this journey. I believe travel can expand one’s outlook … More Upcoming clock articles – Join me as I travel to the UK
Tick-Talk Tuesday is a special time when I respond to readers’ letters and comments about clock issues, challenges, and recommendations for specific clocks. When the comments and questions are especially complex, I consult with fellow clock enthusiasts within my circle to ensure I offer the most precise and helpful answers possible. LS writes: I ran … More Tick Talk Tuesday #53 – A stolen Ansonia wall clock
This clock stands out as one of the most distinctive pieces in my collection. At first glance, it appears to be an ordinary desk clock, but it has a fascinating history behind its production. I can easily picture it sitting on the desk of an import-export executive in the 1950s. The first Kienzle World Time … More Kienzle World Time desk clock
Tick-Talk Tuesday is a special time when I respond to readers’ letters and comments about clock issues, challenges, and recommendations for specific clocks. When the comments and questions are especially complex, I consult with fellow clock enthusiasts within my circle to ensure I offer the most precise and helpful answers possible. GF writes: I inherited … More Tick-talk Tuesday #52 – My father’s Forestville advertising clock
We enjoyed a week-long stay at a resort in the Cayo Coco region of Cuba, where the accommodations were fantastic and catered to all our needs. The goal was to unwind after spending the winter teaching at our local community college campus in rural Nova Scotia. There wasn’t a clock in sight, which was just … More Not a clock to be seen anywhere and that’s not a bad thing!
While many might not initially favour the idea of having a ticking mechanical clock in their bedrooms, its presence can actually offer significant benefits. Let me elaborate on why. Before I go further let me say I understand that some individuals may find the ticking sound disruptive to their sleep. The therapeutic value of having … More Having a ticking clock in a bedroom may be the answer to a restless night
The newest addition to my collection of Pequegant clocks is the Jewel. That marks a total of nine Pequegnat clocks in my modest collection. I was not actively seeking a new clock. In fact, I haven’t purchased one in months, and mantel clocks weren’t even on my radar. I bought the Simcoe (above) in 2018 … More The Pequegnat Jewel and the Simcoe – similar yet subtly different
Eight years ago I came across an intriguing find not far from where I reside—an antique Ansonia octagonal short drop, commonly referred to as a schoolhouse clock. While I estimate its manufacturing date to be around the turn of the 20th century, pinpointing the exact year eluded me. The movement bears the stamped number “12,” … More An ordinary schoolhouse clock that had an ordinary life in an ordinary shoolhouse continues its ordinary life
Every blogger understands that building a successful blog takes time, often requiring months or even years to cultivate a loyal following. Challenges, patience, determination, and hard work eventually lead to finding a successful rhythm. With over 825,000 page views since 2015, and an average of 24,000 monthly views, I recently reviewed my blog’s statistics to … More Antiquevintageclock.com all time best 10 list
While explaining any process on paper serves its purpose, nothing quite replaces the effectiveness of a sequence of detailed still images that, in essence, tell a story. As the saying goes, “A picture is worth a thousand words.” First, what is macro photography? Macro photography is a specialized form of photography that focuses on capturing … More The Role of Macro Photography in Clock Repair
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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