Buying an antique clock – how to

This post explores buying tips for novice antique clock buyers. Those looking for an antique clock in general rather than a specific type or model of an antique mechanical clock will find the following tips very useful. Vintage versus antique According to the United States Government publications, the term “antique” is reserved for valuables that … More Buying an antique clock – how to

Schatz W3 – Installing an 8-rod chime block in a custom made clock case

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

Daylight Savings Time – let’s get rid of it!

We call it Daylight Saving Time (DST), the British call it “British Summer Time” and “summertime” in other areas. It is the practice of advancing clocks during summer months so that evening daylight lasts longer while sacrificing normal sunrise times. Typically, regions that use daylight saving time adjust clocks forward one hour close to the … More Daylight Savings Time – let’s get rid of it!

Vintage alarm clock – they say rust never sleeps

Vintage Alarm Clock. Other than the rust, everything about it appears to be intact. May still work, just leaving it as is Yeah, about that rust!

Westclox travel alarm clock made in China

While on a vacation in the Dominican Republic we brought along an old Westclox wind-up mechanical travel alarm clock for no other reason but to have it as a curiosity and of course, to get us up in the morning. You might wonder why an alarm clock is necessary for a relaxing beach vacation. Well, … More Westclox travel alarm clock made in China

Tick Talk Tuesday #13 – Mauthe wall clock circa 1960s

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 #13 – Mauthe wall clock circa 1960s

Is my clock in beat?

You bought a clock. It ran when you first saw it but you bring it home, display it in that very spot you imagined and now it won’t run. 99% of the time this is caused by a clock not being in beat. All mechanical clocks must be set in beat before they will run … More Is my clock in beat?

Kienzle World Time clock – a second look

I put a quick article together on my newly acquired modern Art Deco brass Kienzle World desk clock in August and with only one photo in my post I really did not do this fine looking timepiece any justice. I hope the following  photos will show that this clock really impresses. As I mentioned in my last post … More Kienzle World Time clock – a second look

Ingraham Huron – the secret within – Part III

Restoring the case was relatively simple. After a thorough cleaning to lift the accumulated grime, a wax overcoat, touch-ups in discrete areas with yellow shellac, the case is very presentable for a 138 year old clock. I cleaned up the brass bezel but left the paper dial untouched. The hands are original and left those … More Ingraham Huron – the secret within – Part III

Clocks of Cuba

During two vacation trips to Cuba in the last 4 months I managed to locate a few clocks in my travels. Though some clocks were very intriguing none that I saw save for the tower clocks were in working condition. Nonetheless it made me wonder about their provenance in a land that time seemingly forgot. At Christmas time … More Clocks of Cuba

Sessions Tambour – Beveled Number 2

This is a Sessions Tambour style clock that I have been working on for the past two months. I bought it as a non-working clock. As I said in a previous post it is a fairly attractive mantel clock featuring a mahogany finish with faux inlay just south of the dial. It was made in the late … More Sessions Tambour – Beveled Number 2

Maple Leaf case restoration Part 2

I have had this Arthur Pequegnat Maple Leaf fan-top clock for several weeks now and have decided to keep it in my collection. I was not satisfied with the condition of the case when I first saw it and knew that something had to be done. After several hours of work on the case I … More Maple Leaf case restoration Part 2

Sessions Tambour Style clock

This is a Sessions Tambour style clock that, according to the label on the inside back access door is a Beveled Number 2. Seems like an odd name for a clock. It is a fairly attractive mantel clock featuring a mahogany finish with faux inlay just below the dial. It is a time and strike … More Sessions Tambour Style clock

U M Muller Box Clock

Probably not a household name in its time, yet U. M. Müller produced clocks that could stand proudly beside the finest German makers of the early 20th century. Their box clocks, in particular, became strong competitors, capturing a market that was shifting away from the ornate Vienna regulator toward something more modern, practical, and affordable. … More U M Muller Box Clock

Smiths Enfield Mantel Clock

Restoring and repairing antique clocks is a rewarding and sometimes challenging journey, and my latest project has been no exception. I recently acquired a time-and-strike mantel clock from the Enfield Clock Company, a British manufacturer known for its utilitarian designs, especially post-war. In this article, I will share my experiences as I continue to restore … More Smiths Enfield Mantel Clock

Daniel Dakota wall clock

No serious collector would admit that they have a Daniel Dakota wall clock in their collection. I have two! One was converted to quartz. The other was gifted to a family member. Are they attractive clocks? The functional styling is borrowed from American and German box clocks; they are not what one would consider a … More Daniel Dakota wall clock

Blackforest Shelf Clock Progress

If you are following this blog this is the same clock as the previous post. Since the movement was very dirty, I cleaned it up (ultrasonic cleaner) when all apart and reassembled and oiled it. It is a one-train movement, so not many gear wheels and pretty easy to work on. You can see by the … More Blackforest Shelf Clock Progress

Sessions Westminster A Mantel Clock

This article describes my latest mantel clock find, an American tambour style time, strike and chime clock that has some very interesting features. It is a Sessions Westminster A mantel clock made in Forestville Conn. The first year of production for this model was 1927. Between 1903 and 1933 Sessions produced 52 models of mechanical … More Sessions Westminster A Mantel Clock

Dugena Mantel Clock Dis-assembly, Cleaning and Adjustment

Dugena was a German retail clock company. The name Dugena still exists today, but whether or not it is related to the Dugena company of the 1950s is anyone’s guess. This particular clock has a Hermle floating balance movement, which is both reliable and dependable. Dugena, like many other clock companies at the time, contracted … More Dugena Mantel Clock Dis-assembly, Cleaning and Adjustment