I have been collecting clocks for over twenty years and for the past 11 years I have been building my collection of vintage and antique clocks, repairing them, and restoring them. I often reflect back to that first “real” antique clock that my wife and I purchased at an antique store in Blockhouse, Nova Scotia … More My first antique clock – a Seth Thomas Adamantine mantel clock
Quite honestly an entire book should be dedicated to dating a clock. Some time ago I published an article entitled, “How to Date an Antique or Vintage Clock – Part I”, and I used specific examples from my own collection. I wanted to explore the topic a little further and this post will present a … More Dating an Antique or Vintage Clock – Part II
The time has come to determine the best clock acquisition of the past year. As a clock hobbyist, I have had little difficulty locating interesting clocks over the years, and despite the seemingly never-ending pandemic, I have scored a few in 2021 though the past year has been leaner than most. In the early days … More Best clock acquisition of 2021
I originally assumed this clock was a Seth Thomas since it had a Seth Thomas movement. After a thorough search on the web, I concluded that this was not a Seth Thomas case. I searched for clocks made by other clockmakers, starting with E.N Welch, Ansonia (because it is similar in style to the Syria), … More Waterbury Wren shelf clock – case refresh
I was attracted to the style of this clock but disappointed when I learned that it was a marriage of a Waterbury case with a Seth Thomas movement. Briefly, a marriage is when parts from two different makers come together. Buying a clock from a flea market, antique mall, a shop or what have you … More Servicing a Seth Thomas 8-day movement
This clock is an antique store find not too far from where I live. It was high on a shelf and the price was not visible. I asked the shopkeeper to take it down so that I could check the price ($40) and verify that it had a mechanical movement. I opened the back panel, … More A marriage of two makers, Waterbury and Seth Thomas
Perhaps recognizable as one of the most common regulator clocks in America, the Seth Thomas Regulator #2 was found in many railway stations, offices. libraries and other public places across America during the last century, a testament to its accuracy and dependability. It is a robust, accurate, well-engineered, and dependable timepiece that was made by … More Seth Thomas #2 has stopped – cleaning and bushing work should put it right
Among the most respected and prolific American clockmakers is the Seth Thomas Clock Co. of America. Every collector I know has at least one Seth Thomas clock in their collection. My modest collection consists of six Seth Thomas clocks representing several styles, all unique and from the period 1865 to 1930. This is a Seth … More A veneer repair can make a difference on a Seth Thomas shelf clock
This is Part I of a two part series. Part one covers the first three steps in renewing a Seth Thomas clock dial. In Part II the decorative corner design is restored. Inpainting is the process of reconstructing lost or deteriorated parts of a clock dial. In the museum world, in the case of a … More Inpainting a Seth Thomas clock dial – Part 1
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
This Victorian period Seth Thomas mantel clock was in very good condition when I bought it close to 20 years ago. It sat on an upright piano until it was serviced in December 2017. During servicing 4 bushings were installed. The clock was then relocated to another room. The model is not actually called the … More Seth Thomas mantel clock – detailing makes a difference
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
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
One of my newest acquisitions is a Seth Thomas Regulator #2 which I found in Bloomfield during my travels through Ontario. Bloomfield is a few minutes from Picton which is a major centre in Prince Edward County, known for it many wineries. These clocks do not come up very often; the price was right and … More Seth Thomas Regulator #2 wall clock
I discovered this Arthur Pequegnat Moncton in an antique store in Bloomfield, Ontario. I had my eye on it during a visit to the antique shop this past summer (2018), thought about it before taking the plunge later in the fall to buy it. These clocks do not come up very often and the price … More Arthur Pequegnat Moncton wall clock
At 2:00am Sunday morning, the 4th of November, set your clock one hour behind. That is, if you live in Canada. Your time change date may vary according to the country you live in. Consider yourself lucky if your your country does not observe this archaic convention. If your country uses Daylight Saving Time (DST), you must … More It’s time to change your clocks
The following is an article that was featured on the Chelsea Clock blog I have always had a fascination with clocks. As a young boy I can remember the schoolhouse clock in my grandparents’ kitchen and the ticking sound it would make that echoed through the entire house. We all have busy lives and despite my … More Featured article on Chelsea Clock blog about my blog
This is a fine example of a Seth Thomas column and cornice clock with sleigh front made prior to 1867 and sold by the R.W. Paterson Company of Canada West. Both the lower and upper tablets appear to be original and are in very good condition. Unfortunately this antique American column and cornice time and … More Addressing an upper tablet replacement on a Seth Thomas column and cornice clock
This is Part II of a three part series on my first venture into veneer repair on an antique clock. Prior to beginning this project I spent many hours researching veneer repair, watching YouTube videos and seeking advice from my knowledgeable colleagues at NAWCC. This is an 8-day Seth Thomas column and cornice time and … More The art of veneering – Part II – veneer work
This is Part I of a three part series on my first venture with veneer repair on an antique clock. Prior to beginning this project I spent many hours researching veneer repair, watching YouTube videos and seeking advice from my knowledgeable colleagues at NAWCC. Repairing veneer on a clock case is inevitable. As much as … More The art of veneering – Part I – general assessment and the work to be done
Clock collecting and repair allows me to combine my other hobby, photography with the world of horology. I have seen so many poor photos of clocks that I thought I would cover one small aspect of photography, macro photography. The following is a generalist approach to macro photography that is intended to allow the hobbyist … More Using a macro lens to photograph your clock
Carole Ann Bennett of Ottawa, Canada asked me to profile her latest clock acquisition which was bought at auction and advertised as a triple-decker clock. It is, in fact, a column and cornice clock. This lovely Seth Thomas time and strike eight-day weight-driven column and cornice clock with hour strike features a mahogany veneer case … More Profile My Clock: Seth Thomas Column and Cornice clock
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