Tag: low clock prices

A clockmakers lament: The Decline of Antique Clock Collecting in a Modern World

Junghans clock

Recently, my sister, who was an avid antique collector, confided in me that she has given up her passion. When I asked her why, she explained that there’s no one to inherit her collection and appreciate its value. She lamented that her son might end up melting down her cherished sterling silver collection for cash after she’s gone.

German bracket style clock by HAC

This got me thinking about the younger generation’s lack of interest in preserving the past, especially when it comes to antiques like clocks. While my three children have shown some interest in a few of my prized timepieces, when have departed this earth most will probably end up being auctioned off for minimal prices, which saddens me.

Ogee clock C.1876

However, this trend of disregard for preserving history isn’t new. I recall a trip to Boston in 2019, where my wife and I listened to a play at the State House about a slave’s connection to the John Hancock family. Despite its historical significance, the original Hancock house had been torn down in the 1860s, showing how past generations also failed to recognize the importance of preserving such landmarks for the future.

Scottish tall case clock C.1848

Part of the problem may be that the mechanical clocks that held nostalgic value for my generation are not present in the homes of today’s youth, except for iconic pieces like Grandfather and cuckoo clocks. Before my time, mechanical clocks were discarded in favour of electric ones when they wore out, further disconnecting younger generations from the charm of antique mechanical timepieces.

Trying to gift a mechanical clock to a millennial often leads to the response, “Thanks, but I have no space for one.” It’s evident from visits to antique stores or clock fairs that the average age of visitors and traders tends to be on the older side, reflecting the dwindling interest in these historic items among the youth.

Table clock C.1875

As a consequence, many valuable clocks are being sold for considerably low prices, despite the high asking prices seen on online selling platforms. With the current trend, it’s likely that clock prices will continue to decline for years to come.

The disinterest in preserving the past and the declining value of antique clocks are issues that continue to plague our society. While some special interest clocks may still hold value, the overall market for antique timepieces seems to be on a downward trajectory and it doesn’t look like that will end in the foreseeable future.

Perhaps it’s time for us to cherish and appreciate these pieces from the past before they become forgotten relics of history.

Low antique clock prices – are they here to stay

Box clock

There is a peculiar phenomena happening in the clock world today and that is tumbling clock prices. French cartelle clocks, American jewelers regulators, original E. Howard and Willard banjo clocks to name a few have retained their value but clocks that would have sold for hundreds of dollars a few short years ago can be had for almost nothing today. It is not a great sellers market.

Rare Ingraham Huron found on a local online for-sale site
Rare Ingraham Huron shelf clock was once sought after by collectors

Prices will not rise any time soon as modern generations have been conditioned to discarding old for new irrespective of merit and in contradiction to the ideology that recycling saves the planet

Why are clock prices so low?

I have acquired some very nice clocks for ridiculously low prices. While it is part luck there is ample evidence that recent clock prices have never been lower.

There are so many clocks that no one seems to want. Gingerbreads, school house clocks, mantel clocks, Ogees (30 hour or one-day especially), calendar clocks and most garden variety clocks go for very low prices. Good for collectors, not so good for sellers. Prices will not rise any time soon as modern generations have been conditioned to discarding old for new irrespective of merit and in contradiction to the ideology that recycling saves the planet.

Millennials are also facing a very different world than I and my contemporaries faced. Factory work or clerical positions are now considered a good job and young people are staying with mom and dad living in their old rooms as they try to pay off mortgage size student loans. Under those circumstances you will not consider buying a tall case clock or an 18th century French clock.

Thanks but I have no place to put one

My generation (I am in my 60s) did not typically have mechanical clocks in their homes (aside from Grandfather and cuckoo clocks), so younger people today do not have those kind of memories to inspire nostalgia. In my day mechanical clocks were thrown in the trash when they wore out to make way for the electric clock. For young people today the old clocks we loved are not in their sights for purchase. An offer to gift a clock to a millennial is often met with the reply, “Thanks but I have no place to put one” and of course, winding it is always a hassle. A visit to any antique store or clock fair says it all when observations show the average age of visitors and traders are often in their “senior” years.

Junghans Crispi wall clock, not rare but a fascinating history

Prices of clocks really did not begin their rise in value (at least in North America) until the mid to late ’50’s. Since then and up until the late nineties many ordinary clocks commanded high prices. Since the year 2000, the economy has been spiraling downward. Paralleling the declining economy is the decline of prices for antiques of all types. The at-times spectacular and troubling declines in real estate values, increasing unemployment and fewer discretionary dollars have all had an deleterious effect on dropping clock values. With the up-tick in the economy perhaps things will change

I collect clocks and other antiques for interest and history alone

I collect clocks and other antiques for interest alone and only those I can afford which often means that I will try to buy a clock for as little as possible. Collecting in this way allows me the comfort in knowing that there is no worry about future rises or drops in value. I acquire clocks simply because I want them, and pay a price that is worth it to me. If I see something that I do not have, it is unique or has some historical value and it is a reasonable price (to me), I will buy it.

However, many of us collectors are aging and downsizing. Few are in buying mode and many want to sell. The result is a glut of often lesser quality clocks that were once bought at higher prices.

French mantel clock
French mantel clock, a very nice clock at a ridiculously low price

Unless you are prepared to learn how to repair or somehow care for an old mechanical clock you are faced with the prospect that the cost of repair far exceeds the value of the clock. Sentimental reasons always trump repair costs but the message from the clock repair person with integrity is clear, “keep it, it is not worth the cost of repairing”.

Will prices get better? Prices for antiques and collectibles is cyclical and chances are that they will go up again.

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