Clock collecting from a beginner’s perspective. That was the subject of my first blog post six years ago. Since then I have seen a lot of excellent and not-so-good blogs come and go but I wanted to give it my best shot and after 6 years, well, I am still here. I started with a … More First blog post – 6 years ago
How do you get those wonderful macro shots, a reader asked. Photography easily becomes part of almost any hobby and in my view, a camera is essential for clock repair. Describing a process on paper is one thing but it cannot replace a well-crafted video or a series of detailed still images. A picture is … More Macro photography images and clock repair
A couple of years ago my daughter gave me a Horolovar guide as a Christmas gift. The Horolovar guide is indispensable when working with 400-day clocks. This is not a manual one opens up regularly but when working on 400-day or anniversary clocks, as they are often called, it is an absolute necessity. The guide … More Using the Horolovar guide to determine the correct suspension spring for a 400 day clock
In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 I receive letters from all over the world asking my advice on a number of clock issues such as how a particular component of a mechanical clock should work, a clock repair challenge, … More Search for my past clock articles using keywords
Amid the health crisis ensnaring the world today finding escape is good for the soul. Social distancing, self-isolation, and sheltered-in-place are terms representing new realities. However, we must all use our time at home constructively engaged in meaningful activities and mine is the repair and restoration of old clocks. Horology allows me to drift into … More 7 reasons why a hobby is your oasis for the coming dark days
This is Part I of a two part series. In Part I, I will discuss why I collect, repair and restore clocks. In Part II are 9 reasons why clock collecting and repair is a great hobby for just about anyone.
What other machine have you acquired that has worked continuously since it was made 150 plus years ago and still does the job it was intended for? Mechanical clocks revolutionized people’s perception of time by displaying neutral, uniform units that showed the passage of time. Though not as accurate as the modern electronic timekeeper the … More Appreciating simplicity – the mechanical clock
One cannot deny the classic style of an American Ogee clock. This one is in great shape and required almost nothing to get it to top form. 30-hour shelf clocks are abundant but not many cases survive years of wear and tear. This George H. Clark 30-hour shelf clock is a very good example of … More George H Clark Ogee clock – movement and dial work
I asked reader and fellow horologist Bob G. if he could kindly give me permission to profile one of his favorite clocks, an Ansonia Marquis crystal regulator circa 1904. This is a very impressive clock that showcases the best of Victorian style at the turn of the twentieth century. The photos are Bob’s and I … More Ansonia Marquis crystal regulator – a reader’s clock
For sale Gilbert antique mantel clock If you are going to sell a clock tell me more about it and why is it sideways? It does not take much to orient a photo! Very annoying. Is it mechanical or electric? Looks like it is key wound from the rear.
This Gilbert tambour style mantel clock is model 2038 with a bim-bam strike or what Gilbert called a Normandy chime. The model number along with the words “Normandy Chime” are stamped on the bottom of the case. Gilbert called this the “Normandy Chime” as it was reminiscent of the old bells of Normandy (Corneville) in … More Gilbert tambour clock with Normandy Chime – movement servicing
The problem; a run-on strike. The solution; remove the movement, poke around looking for the cause, find it almost immediately and apply a quick fix. The story My winter (2017) project was an antique German Junghans Crispi time and strike spring driven wall clock made in the style of a Vienna Regulator. It was manufactured … More Junghans wall clock – Sometimes a small thing can be a pain in the, well, you know
The first day of spring is called the vernal equinox (sometimes also referred to as the spring equinox or March equinox) and it is almost always either March 20 or March 21 though it will fall on March 20 for the next two years in a row. The first day of the spring season is … More Spring comes early this year but not by much! Adjust your clocks
Some time ago I bought this movement without a case. Having a movement without a case is like a car engine without the body I discovered this Aug Schatz & Sohne W3 (circa 1960) movement at a local antique store for under CAN$20. My wife said, “You should buy that, maybe you can make a … More Schatz W3 – Installing an 8-rod chime block in a custom made clock case
I’ve thought about this clock, dreamt about it, wondered where it was all these years……and now I have it. I was confident that I could do something with this clock since I had just finished a major restoration project. I had no idea that the clock I was getting was a movement in a homemade … More Lessons learned restoring grandfather’s old clock
I acquired my Smiths Enfield time and strike clock in 2013 from a young clock tinkerer in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and it was never a reliable runner from the start. It would not run for any more than several minutes. The clock was put aside and sat in a corner of my shop. It is … More A Smiths Enfield mantel clock comes back to life
I have been collecting clocks for over 8 years. In that time I have enjoyed my hobby immensely and I am constantly on the lookout for new and interesting acquisitions. It is more like a daily passion. However, I now realize that as my collection steadily grows I have more than I need or want. … More A new & exciting direction in clock collecting & repair
100,000 views, Wow! In the late spring of 2015 I attended a workshop on WordPress blogging at the local community college. I was impressed with the power of blogging. I had already begun collecting antique and vintage clocks and so, it was a good time to begin a blog and share my horological interests and … More 100,000 clock blog views – onward and upward
Small details added during clock restoration projects can change the appearance of clock in a positive way. In this article I will describe how adding a piece (actually two), that should have there in the first place, will make all the difference. During the fall (2018) I spent a considerable amount of time restoring a … More In clock restoration circles small details can make a big difference
Okay, here’s the description. Carved pine antique mantle Grandmother clock circa 1900 “Pine”, “1900” and “antique” might be correct but what style is this clock? It is not a Grandmother clock but commonly known as a kitchen clock or a Gingerbread clock. It is not carved but steam pressed and tens of thousands of these … More Crazy Clock ad – do you know what you are selling?
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 #20 Pequegnat Classic mantel clock $6 online purchase
If you are going to sell a clock this is certainly not how to do it. The image (and there is only one image) is blurry and the person holding the clock looks like they are in their Pajamas. Plus, there are absolutely no details about this clock in the ad, just the price. Great … More Crazy Clock Ads – would you buy this clock?
This George H. Clark 30-hour shelf clock is a very good example of Connecticut form. The case form is called and “og” or “ogee”. a mathematical term that describes the “S” curve shape in the primary molding that surrounds the door. The clock has a brass time, strike, weight driven movement with original printed paper … More George H. Clark 30-hour Ogee clock – in very nice shape
This is a recent acquisition bought at a local online estate auction site. It has a curious fact that I found quite intriguing. My wife and I saw a very attractive colonial style Stickley writers desk and while browsing further through the online catalogue I noticed 2 clocks. One was an IBM style time clock … More New Haven 30 hour Sharp Gothic (Steeple) – a curious fact
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
Discovering the joy of art
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