Tag: New Haven

Looking Beyond the Surface: How Survivorship Bias Shapes Our View of Antique Clocks

July 11, 2025

If you’ve ever browsed an antique shop or clock auction and marveled at the craftsmanship of century-old clocks, you might find yourself thinking: “They sure made things better back then.” And while that’s sometimes true — many antique clocks were built with care and skill — there’s a hidden trap in that assumption. It’s called … More Looking Beyond the Surface: How Survivorship Bias Shapes Our View of Antique Clocks

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How to Service an Open Mainspring Without a Spring Winder – Step-by-Step Guide

August 2, 2024

In a previous article on servicing this clock, I mentioned the challenge I faced with the mainspring. With only minimal tools at my disposal and no spring winder, I was determined to find a solution and successfully service the mainspring. This clock was manufactured by New Haven and boasts a classic design with a twelve-inch … More How to Service an Open Mainspring Without a Spring Winder – Step-by-Step Guide

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Challenges of DIY Antique Clock Repair with Minimal Tools | Lessons and Limitations

July 30, 2024

My collection of wall clocks includes several schoolhouse models and I am continually impressed by their resilience despite their age. While many of these clocks spent their lives in school rooms, some ended up in commercial establishments and offices, often neglected until they stopped working. I’ve seen clocks with bushing holes so enlarged it’s a … More Challenges of DIY Antique Clock Repair with Minimal Tools | Lessons and Limitations

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New Haven schoolhouse clock | The case is in poor condition but what about the movement?

July 26, 2024

Accepting the schoolhouse clock as a restoration project, I was prepared for the inevitable wear and tear it had endured over time. Despite its condition, I wondered what it would look like if the case was rejuvenated. Decisions, decisions. My collection of wall clocks includes several schoolhouse models and I am continually impressed by their … More New Haven schoolhouse clock | The case is in poor condition but what about the movement?

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Relocating a unique New Haven kit clock

January 9, 2024

For years, my wife and I have been on the hunt for an elusive Arthur Pequegnat Hall clock, a prized possession among Canadian collectors. Recently, I stumbled upon what seemed like the jackpot—a seemingly authentic piece advertised for a mere $100. However, as I explored the deal further, doubts crept in, casting a shadow over … More Relocating a unique New Haven kit clock

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Jerome Rose Cottage clock – a candidate for extreme restoration?

January 31, 2023

What to do with this cute Jerome & Co. CA 1870 cottage clock? I worked on the movement in the spring of 2022 and even at that point I was not sure what to do with the clock case. The tiny movement intrigued me and I wanted to have it running but the case – … More Jerome Rose Cottage clock – a candidate for extreme restoration?

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Tick Talk Tuesday #36 – a tall case clock is transformed

October 12, 2021

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 or my responses to your questions with advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that stump … More Tick Talk Tuesday #36 – a tall case clock is transformed

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George H. Clark 30 hour movement

30-hour clocks in my collection – a complete list

September 7, 2021

While I have over 85 clocks in my collection twelve are 30-hour or one-day clocks. One of the twelve is a relatively modern clock. The history of mass-produced clocks in America began in the 1820s and 1830s with 30-hour clocks that had woodworks movements. While the clock business was booming with many companies selling clocks … More 30-hour clocks in my collection – a complete list

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Ten active clock companies in Canada during the 1950s

February 7, 2021

Canadian clock collectors are most familiar with the Arthur Pequegnat Clock Company that closed its doors in 1941 but 7 years later a number of clock companies were alive and flourishing in Canada, predominantly in areas in and around Toronto. It is difficult to imagine that seventy years ago there were ten active clock companies … More Ten active clock companies in Canada during the 1950s

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Lower tablet

New Haven Sharp Gothic (Steeple) clock – Part I – history unearthed

August 14, 2019

This is Part I entitled History Unearthed. It is the first part of a two part series. Part II concerns servicing the movement. My recently acquired New Haven Gothic Steeple 30-hour clock is an online auction win. The case is in very good condition apart from minor veneer issues on the base and the columns. … More New Haven Sharp Gothic (Steeple) clock – Part I – history unearthed

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New haven Gothic Steeple clock

New Haven 30 hour Sharp Gothic (Steeple) – a curious fact

January 23, 2019

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

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

November 19, 2018

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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Ogee New Haven clock

New Haven – servicing a 30 hour spring-driven clock movement

October 3, 2018

This is a 30 hour or 1-day New Haven Ogee shelf clock. 1875-80 seems to be the approximate period of manufacture for this smallish Ogee clock. The case measures 18 1/2 by 11 3/4 inches (47cm X 30cm) and the hour strike movement measures 3 1/2 by 5 inches (9cm X 12.7cm). So, its a … More New Haven – servicing a 30 hour spring-driven clock movement

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Perspective on Horological (clock) Development

September 8, 2018

Need a quick primer on developments and inventions in horology. You have come to the right place. Though by no means a definitive guide the following are some important dates in the history of the clock as gathered through a number of sources. The difficultly in affixing some dates with precision results from discrepancies among … More Perspective on Horological (clock) Development

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Tick-Talk Tuesday

Tick Talk Tuesday #16 – I would like to sell my clock

July 31, 2018

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 #16 – I would like to sell my clock

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Lower tablet shiowing reverse paintiung of flowers

New Haven Ogee clock – attractive but not without issues

January 20, 2018

This spring driven 30 hour New Haven Ogee clock is a loud ticker and rapid striker so distinctive that I can hear the ticking outside the room it is in like a mischievous puppy who wants to remind you where it is. Judging from other New Haven clocks I have researched from this period, 1875 … More New Haven Ogee clock – attractive but not without issues

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Trio of clocks above computer

Timezone clocks – keeping track of family across the country

July 24, 2017

  It this day and age it is very common to have family scattered to the four winds. What time is it is such and such? Why not create timezone clocks? I live in Canada and I have one daughter in Calgary, Alberta, one of our mid-western provinces and one in Victoria, BC, on the … More Timezone clocks – keeping track of family across the country

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Side view of movement indicating solder points

Servicing a Well Worn New Haven Schoolhouse Clock

April 28, 2017

The clock is a “Canadian made” New Haven Octagonal short drop wall clock. It was assembled at The New Haven Clock Co. of Canada plant established at Brantford, Ontario (Canada) in 1906. The New Haven Clock Company of Canada was a subsidiary of the New Haven Clock Company of America. Both mantel and wall clocks … More Servicing a Well Worn New Haven Schoolhouse Clock

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