I found this German mantel clock on a local online buy and sell site. The seller had two clocks, one, a generic German-made Westminster chime and this, a Junghans bracket-style clock. I knew right away that this was the better deal. It appeared to be a higher quality clock compared to the other one. I … More Junghans bracket clock – first look
It is that time of the year when you begin searching for that unique gift. Of course, there are a multitude of choices but have you considered a mechanical clock as a gift? Let me provide you with a few tips. Mechanical clocks harken back to the old days when life was simpler; no mobile … More Choosing a mechanical clock as a gift
Five years ago I attended a workshop on WordPress at our local community college. It taught me more about blogging than I ever knew. The idea of a clock blog intrigued me but it is a lot of work, there is much learning and it was not something I wanted to design from the ground … More Approaching 200,000 views and 58,000+views so far this year
Whether you are working on your first clock movement or have repaired dozens, instructional resources, I believe, are essential. There is only so much information gained from a YouTube video (sadly some information is plain wrong) or how-to instructions online and there comes a point in time when you simply must have more detailed information. … More The essential clock repair library according to Antiquevintageclock.com
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
The antique clock and the dilemma of identity. Some may feel this is much ado about nothing but discussion on identity and antique clocks tends to prompt a lot of debate. Let me explain. Let’s say you are looking for that particular antique clock and you think you have finally found it. The photos look … More The antique clock and the dilemma of identity
Over the summer I was asked to service a friend’s clock. It is an attractive machine-carved oak Ansonia Syria parlour clock in the popular Arts and Crafts style of the late 19th century. ”my poor clock needs a good servicing and cleaning. It runs slow, eg. I set it and would it on Sunday and … More Ansonia Syria parlour clock – a favour for a friend – Part 1
A 400-day clock, also known as a torsion clock, is a type of mechanical clock designed to run for about a year (400 days) on a single winding. It features a unique suspension system, where a rotating pendulum or torsion spring controls the movement. The clock’s long running time is achieved through a very slow, … More Horolovar guide and how to determine the correct suspension spring for a 400 day clock
The final step in the repair/restoration of my tall case clock are the top finials. This clock had top corner finials at one point in its life. There is evidence that something was there on either side of the crown. I have no idea what they might have looked like but judging from photos of … More Scottish tall case clock with new top finials
Some time ago I wrote an article on an interesting acquisition, an Ansonia Extra Drop, a true barn find. This Ansonia Extra Drop time-only Rosewood veneered wall clock was manufactured in the early 1880s by what was then known as the Ansonia Brass and Copper Company. It was in pretty rough shape when I bought … More Ansonia Drop Extra does not run and a rusty mainspring is the culprit
The Simcoe is one of 8 Arthur Pequegnat clocks in my collection. It is very similar in dimensions and style to the Jewel produced around the same time but a few dollars more at the time. The Jewel is an unadorned box while the Simcoe has more bling, a piecrust dial bezel, claw feet on … More Pequegnat Simcoe – servicing the movement
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 #27 – Feet for my Gilbert mantel clock
On the bench is an Arthur Pequegnat time and strike kitchen clock which is part of the popular Maple Leaf series produced up to 1941 when the company closed its doors for good. In Part I of this two-part series I discussed disassembly and assessment of the work to be done. In this Part II … More Pequegnat kitchen clock servicing – Part II – cleaning, pivot polishing, bushing work and testing
On the bench is an Arthur Pequegnat time and strike kitchen clock which is part of the popular Maple Leaf series produced up to 1941. Among collectors it is know as the “Pointed Top”. This Canadian made clock was bought at an antique store in Bloomfield, Ontario the summer of 2018 and presumably spent its … More Pequegnat kitchen clock servicing – Part I – disassembly and assessment
I know many of you did your best to adapt to isolation during what is now known as The Coronavirus Pandemic. It changed the way we think, the way we behave and the way we interact with each other. My condolences to those who suffered during this infamous chapter of our lives particularly those of … More The pandemic allowed time to service my clocks and help me understand “sympathetic vibration”
It is time to service this very fine German box clock by U. M. Muller. I have been stalling for too long. I am a little leery because the last time I worked on one of these the strike tension spring broke (my fault) so I made a promise to be more careful this time. … More Uhrenfabrik Mühlheim, Müller & Co box clock – servicing the movement
To Canadian clock collectors, Arthur Pequegnat are clocks highly regarded. Irrespective of model names they are generally classified as either “Berlin” or “Kitchener”. The Arthur Pequegnat Bedford is a Kitchener clock. Let me explain. Although it is impossible to date Pequegnat clocks to the exact year of production, the name Berlin distinguishes clocks made before … More Pequegnat Bedford – servicing the movement
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
How to sell an antique mechanical clock If you are a collector like myself there will come a point when there are just too many clocks and not enough walls and mantels. I manage my collection in two ways, some clocks are gifted while others are sold. I am not in the business of selling … More Selling an antique mechanical clock – preparation and advertising – how to
What defines a successful clock day? When everything goes according to plan, I’d say. I ordered a number of parts from a clock supplier that finally arrived recently. Among the supplies was a good quality pivot oiler, a mainspring for the time side of a mantel clock, a set of better quality broaches and movement … More What defines a successful clock day?
While I admire the ingenuity and creativity of clock repairpersons many years ago some of the repairs are downright scary and dangerous. I say clock repairpersons because may were back yard mechanics with minimal clock skills that were paid to “just get his thing running”. In this article, I will describe some of the strange … More Interesting clock repairs, some good, some not so good
In February 2020 my wife was perusing an online auction house looking for interesting bargains and noticed a 170-year-old Scottish tall case offered for bidding. Over the past couple of years we had talked about acquiring an antique tall case clock but those we liked were either well beyond our reach or required extensive repairs … More English bell strike servicing Part I – the assessment
A clock test stand is an absolute must for anyone that repairs antique and/or vintage clocks. Quite often minor adjustments are required after servicing that can only be made if the movement is on a test stand. Years ago I bought a test stand from Merritts Clock Supplies. It is called Gene’s test stand and … More Tall case clock movement testing stand
Don’t throw that old clock case or movement away. In this article, I will describe how I repurpose/reuse an old ogee clock case and how saving those old clock parts will come in handy someday. Some time ago I responded to an ad on our local online for-sale site from an individual who had four … More Don’t throw those old clock parts away
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
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
You must be logged in to post a comment.