My clock hobby has evolved to the point that I am constantly looking for ways to increase efficiency and adapt space to suit my needs. What began as an upstairs bedroom has become my office/shop for the past 6 years. The acquisition of new tools and equipment means more space and, of course, more room … More Re-organizing my office/shop
Why does a mechanical clock movement require servicing? The answer is fairly straight forward. Keeping your clock in good running condition requires maintaining the movement’s working parts and maintaining the working parts reduces wear. Ideally, most clocks should be serviced every three to five years to maximize longevity and ensure proper functioning. This article describes … More Seven steps to servicing an antique or vintage clock movement
In this, Part II of my Seth Thomas time and strike shelf clock servicing I discuss bushing work, cleaning, final assembly and testing. In Part I, my observations (and preliminary repairs) concerning my Seth Thomas round top shelf clock were as follows.
This is a Seth Thomas round top mantel clock in for servicing. This is Part I of two parts. Among the most respected American clockmakers is the Seth Thomas Clock Co. My collection consists of six Seth Thomas clocks representing several styles made between 1865 and 1930. I purchased this particular mantel clock at the … More Seth Thomas round top in for servicing -Part I
I was working on a E. N. Welch (ca. 1875) mantel clock movement in the late fall of 2019, giving it a thorough cleaning during which I installed 6 bushings.
This clock was advertised on a local online for-sale site. It is a Vienna Regulator-styled wall clock that is an obvious marriage. The ornate dial certainly does not belong to this style of case, the pendulum is unusually short and it is missing its bottom finials. By way of comparison, this is how a movement … More Odd marriage and an amusing explanation of the maker
During our recent trip to the southern part of Ireland including the capital city of Dublin, I expected to see antique mechanical clocks in some of the pubs and I was not disappointed. I tried to visit as many pubs as possible to search for clocks, of course, and while there I sampled the local … More Pub clocks of Ireland
Let me begin by saying that I love antique stores and I spend a considerable amount of time in them. While I don’t always buy, if I see something I try to get a fair price. Browsing through the aisles looking for that unique, one of a kind item can be a very satisfying experience. … More Dealing with antique stores – a rant
This rather plain, box-like 8-day hour strike Rosewood veneered shelf clock is up for servicing. This is Part II of a two-part series. Go to Part I to read my notes and observations while disassembling the movement and the initial steps required to bring the clock to running condition. The movement is in reasonably good … More E N Welch Cottage Extra servicing Part II – cleaning, bushing and testing
This rather plain, box-like 8-day hour strike shelf clock is up for servicing. I wrote about first impressions in Sept 2019 and said at that time that the clock is in reasonably good condition, runs well, but needs a good cleaning.
I am a big fan of weight driven clocks and will add them to my collection when time, opportunity and finances allow. There are generally 2 categories of motive power for mechanical clocks. The energy required to run a clock is provided either by a spring or a weight. Most of my collection is spring-driven … More 10 weight driven clocks in my collection
About three years ago I wrote a piece on clock prices. At that time antique and vintage clock prices had taken a tumble. Where are we now? Have things changed in 2020? Are antique and vintage clock prices going up or down? Is this the time to buy or sell? Let me come quickly to … More Will antique clock prices go up or down in 2020?
This blog is intended for those who have an interest in horology and more specifically, antique and vintage mechanical clocks, both collecting and repair. For some reason the translate widget was dropped when I migrated to a new template this past year, so here it is again. It is the very first widget on the … More Translate my blog – the widget returns
Every now and then a clock is temperamental. I am not talking about the signs of wear that will certainly stop a clock but occasionally it is serviced, everything looks good but it is downright cantankerous. Anyone who has 400-day anniversary clocks knows exactly what I mean. Are clocks moody? I relocated my unmarked Vienna … More Are clocks temperamental? Is my one-weight Vienna Regulator moody?
Though my collection consists of mechanical clocks exclusively, now there is an exception, a vintage Sessions electric table clock, model 3W with sweep second hand, made, of course, by the Sessions Clock Co. Forestville, Connecticut in 1936 and sold in Canada (a Canadian Standards Approval sticker is on the back). Also on the back, it … More Sessions electric table clock, model 3W
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 #22 – parts for my Daniel Dakota clock
This interesting Rosewood veneered round top, mirrored tablet shelf clock appears to be a Jerome in name only. It is not a fake or marriage but a curious product of early to mid-1870s marketing. But first, a little Jerome history. One might be tempted to assume that this clock is associated with Chauncey Jerome, one … More Is it a Jerome & Co. clock or something else entirely?
Every day, it seems, I am involved in the pursuit of learning more and more about the world of horology. If I am not actually working on an antique or vintage clock I am researching information about a clock issue, taking photos/videos of clocks, online shopping for clocks or writing for my blog. But I … More Clock lovers – take a break and enjoy the holiday season with family and friends
Your first thought might be the Blackforest region of Germany and there is, indeed, a close relationship to that region to a small clock company that operated many years ago in Toronto, Ontario (Canada). Blackforest is (or was) a well-known Canadian clock company. The Blackforest Clock Company of Toronto, Ontario was founded by Leopold and … More Blackforest clocks – I must be a sucker for these things
How you ever wondered what keeps antique mechanical clocks going? It’s a miracle they work at all when they are as worn as this one. Most old clocks I come across have common issues, dirty, oily movements and worn pivot holes here and there. Generally, all they need is a bushing or two and a … More Jerome and Co. mantel clock – success at last
How you ever wondered what keeps mechanical clocks going? It’s a miracle they work at all when they are so worn as this one. Most old clocks I come across have common issues, dirty, oily movements such as worn pivot holes here and there. Generally all they need is a good cleaning to put right. … More Jerome & Co. mantel clock – many issues, it wants to run but not today
This is a 3-train Westminster chime mantel clock with Girod movement from France in a Canadian made Art Deco case. Girod was a clockmaker based in the Morbier-Jura region of France and produced clocks from the 1930’s into the 1960’s. The firm of Girod was founded by brothers Leon and Auguste Girod. The clock was … More Servicing a 3-train Girod clock movement – not the most fun but a satisfying result
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. I offer my responses to your questions with advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that … More Tick Talk Tuesday #23 – Forestville clock with electromechanical movement
This is Part II of a 2 part series on a clock collectors predicament: preserve or restore and consume In Part 1, I put forward the argument that if we acquire a clock that has been changed from its original state are we adding or subtracting from its value if we make further changes? The … More Preserve, restore and/or consume – A clock owners perspective on intervention: Part II
Little changes adding up over time as the ship moved from what it had been to what it would be next James S. A. Corey, Babylon’s Ashes This is Part I of a 2 part series on a clock collectors predicament: preserve or restore and consume This quote from Babylon’s Ashes (The Expanse) sums up … More Preserve, restore and/or consume – A clock owners perspective on intervention: Part I
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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