Happy Birthday Sir Sanford Fleming, the inventor of Standard Time

Happy Birthday Sir Sanford Fleming, the inventor of Standard Time. Sir Sanford Fleming (January 7, 1827 – July 22, 1915) was Canada’s foremost railway surveyor and construction engineer of the 19th century and a distinguished inventor and scientist. Sir Sanford Fleming played a crucial role in developing a global system for setting time. Fleming advocated … More Happy Birthday Sir Sanford Fleming, the inventor of Standard Time

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Best clock moments of 2018

2018 was a successful year for my horological hobby in many ways. I met interesting people with fascinating stories, discovered new antique clock sources and had fun along the way. The best clock moments, in no specific order, during 2018 were: Arthur Pequegnat Moncton Finding an Arthur Pequegnat Moncton double-spring time-only wall clock was a … More Best clock moments of 2018

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Happy New Year Everyone (and not just clock lovers)

The bad news is time flies. The good news is you’re the pilot Ringing in the New Year is for reminiscing, reliving, looking back and looking forward. As champagne corks pop, glasses are raised and fireworks explode into the sky, it is important to recognize the special symbolism this holiday brings with it. Amid promises … More Happy New Year Everyone (and not just clock lovers)

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Seth Thomas Alarm Clock – big and ugly but I like it

My wife loves those little craft shops that seem to pop up everywhere. While shopping for Christmas presents in Truro, Nova Scotia, she spotted an attractive Seth Thomas balloon alarm clock. It is not working, said the vendor but my wife knew that her clock loving husband would likely get it running in no time. … More Seth Thomas Alarm Clock – big and ugly but I like it

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Tick Talk Tuesday #19 – what is my clock worth?

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 #19 – what is my clock worth?

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Making a drop door for an Ansonia Drop Extra wall clock

Regular viewers may recall this post in September 2018. Added are new photos and additional information on this project. I wrote about this Ansonia Extra Drop wall clock barn find in a previous article. It has been a test bed for case restoration techniques I have never attempted before. A barn find clock in pieces … More Making a drop door for an Ansonia Drop Extra wall clock

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Remembering the Halifax Explosion and my Crispi clock

For Haligonians, this is a day to remember. Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada) was devastated on 6 December 1917 when two ships collided in the city’s harbour. Today marks 101st anniversary of the Halifax Explosion. On Dec. 6, 1917, the Belgian relief ship Imo rammed into the French munitions vessel Mont-Blanc, which was carrying TNT through the narrowest part … More Remembering the Halifax Explosion and my Crispi clock

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Mauthe (FMS) wall clock restoration – Part III – the case

This is Part III, the last of a three-part series on restoring this beautiful German FMS Mauthe wall clock. Part I can be found here. Part two can be found here. This antique Victorian style German time and strike FMS Mauthe wall clock was purchased from a family living in Truro Nova Scotia that once resided … More Mauthe (FMS) wall clock restoration – Part III – the case

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Grandfathers clock – the drop door, the movement and other things – Part IV

This is the fourth and final article on this curious and somewhat homely Waterbury time and strike schoolhouse clock. I have a vivid memory of this Waterbury octagon short drop schoolhouse clock that hung in my grandparent’s kitchen when I was a young boy. Now that I have it what do I do with it. … More Grandfathers clock – the drop door, the movement and other things – Part IV

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Grandfathers old clock – Preserve a memory or restore it – Part III

This is Part III of a 4-part series. I have a vivid memory of this Waterbury octagon short drop schoolhouse clock that hung in my grandparent’s kitchen when I was a young boy. Now that I have it what do I do with it. I have devoted two previous articles to this curious and somewhat … More Grandfathers old clock – Preserve a memory or restore it – Part III

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Mauthe (FMS) wall clock restoration – Part I – assessment and first steps

This is Part I of a three part series on restoring this beautiful 1900s Mauthe wall clock. This Victorian style German wall clock was purchased locally from a family that once lived in the town of Parrsboro over 100 years ago. I found the clock on a local online for-sale site. It looked interesting but … More Mauthe (FMS) wall clock restoration – Part I – assessment and first steps

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Gene’s Movement Test Stand extension for clock movements

Every horologist should have sturdy clock stand for testing clock movements. If you have Gene’s movement test stand to test your clock movements you have chosen one of the best stands for clock repair. It is well-built, adjustable and simple to use. It is one of the best test stands I have ever used but … More Gene’s Movement Test Stand extension for clock movements

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The ultrasonic cleaner – an essential cleaning tool for clock repair

The ultrasonic cleaner is an essential tool for clock repair. Yes, you can get along just fine without one but if you have some spare cash you will not be disappointed. Ultrasonic cleaning machines are used by a wide variety of professionals where cleanliness is of paramount concern. They are used in many industries including … More The ultrasonic cleaner – an essential cleaning tool for clock repair

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Waterbury, New Haven or EN Welch – A true Frankenstein clock

Is this attractive 30 hour weight driven Ogee a Waterbury, a New Haven or an E.N. Welch? All of the above, actually and perhaps more. The older the clock and the greater the number of owners means there is an increased chance that there have been minor and even significant changes to the clock Is … More Waterbury, New Haven or EN Welch – A true Frankenstein clock

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The first cuckoo clock in my collection – thank you Uncle Dave

When people ask about my clock collection their first comment is, “Do you have a cuckoo clock”. No, I say and their reply typically would be “You should have one!” I often wonder why folks think I should have one. I suppose many collectors have at least one in their collection. Now when they ask … More The first cuckoo clock in my collection – thank you Uncle Dave

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The Canada Clock Company (Hamilton Clock Co.) – a brief history

If one were to ask those with a keen interest in Canadian antique clocks, the word Pequegnat would immediately come to mind. Pequegnat produced clocks for close to 40 years and left an indelible mark on Canadian culture. Predating Arthur Pequegnat is a lesser known clock maker (or clock-makers) that made clocks between 1872 and … More The Canada Clock Company (Hamilton Clock Co.) – a brief history

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Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf kitchen clock (The Pointed Top)

This is a Canadian made clock I bought at an antique store on Bloomfield, Ontario this past summer (2018). This clock is affectionately known as the “Pointed Top” The Arthur Pequegnat Clock Co. made clocks in Kitchener, Ontario (Canada) from 1904 to 1941. Canadian clock collectors are very familiar with the name and associate Pequegnat … More Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf kitchen clock (The Pointed Top)

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