Tag: shelf clock

Tick Talk Time | A Canada Clock Co. Clock Bought at Auction

August 10, 2026

This regularly featured blog is about the letters, questions, and stories I receive from fellow clock enthusiasts. Tick-Talk Time is a special feature where I respond to readers’ letters and comments about their clock, clock-rlated issues and advice about specific clocks. When a question is particularily complex I consult with my clock community to ensure … More Tick Talk Time | A Canada Clock Co. Clock Bought at Auction

The Day I Found an Ingraham Huron Balloon Clock—and the Story That Came With It

October 20, 2025

Some time ago, I came across an ad on Facebook Marketplace for a clock owned by an older couple who lived about forty-five minutes from our home on the East Coast. When I first saw the photo, something about the clock caught my eye—it had character, a quiet dignity, and I had a feeling it … More The Day I Found an Ingraham Huron Balloon Clock—and the Story That Came With It

A Beginner’s Guide to Winding a Mechanical Clock

April 11, 2025

Sometimes, demonstrating a task is easier than explaining it. This 14-minute beginner’s guide covers the basics of winding a mechanical clock, which is perfect for those who have just purchased their first one and need guidance. The video explains how to wind different types of antique and vintage clocks, including shelf clocks, tall case clocks, … More A Beginner’s Guide to Winding a Mechanical Clock

Chairman Mao Zetong waving as the clock ticks

Beginner’s Guide to Choosing an Antique or Vintage Clock

February 7, 2025

Buying your first clock is an exciting journey, but it can also feel a bit daunting. In this article, I’ll share some practical tips and advice to help you choose your first clock and discuss the various types of clocks to consider. One of the goals of this blog is to introduce antique and vintage … More Beginner’s Guide to Choosing an Antique or Vintage Clock

Relocating A Shelf Clock To A…Well, A shelf

December 6, 2024

For years, my Seth Thomas column and cornice clock rested atop an antique radio in our living room. However, after redecorating the space with hardwood flooring in place of the carpet, the radio and clock no longer suited the updated space. I did not want to relegate the clock to storage, so I opted to … More Relocating A Shelf Clock To A…Well, A shelf

A Guide to Choosing Antique and Vintage Clocks as Unique Gifts

October 24, 2023

As the holiday season approaches, the search for a unique and meaningful gift becomes crucial. Antique or vintage clocks, often overlooked, can make a delightful and “timely” present. Whether you’re knowledgeable about clocks or a novice, finding the right one requires some understanding, and I’m here to provide you with some helpful pointers and explanations. … More A Guide to Choosing Antique and Vintage Clocks as Unique Gifts

Selecting and Gifting an antique Mechanical Clock

September 5, 2023

Any time of year is a good time to offer an antique clock as a unique gift. Mechanical clocks take us back to simpler times, free from mobile phones, the internet, and streaming TV. They evoke nostalgia for an era gone by. Determining whether to gift an antique clock can be a challenge. Allow me … More Selecting and Gifting an antique Mechanical Clock

Seth Thomas round top shelf clock – simplicity is its strongest suit

January 13, 2023

Ah, the days when clock companies put a little time and effort into their designs. The Seth Thomas company, in its heyday, produced many attractive clocks and this eight-day shelf clock is one of the finest examples of the 1870s. It is a rather large round top shelf clock measuring 15 inches in height, 10 … More Seth Thomas round top shelf clock – simplicity is its strongest suit

Refreshing an Ingraham “octagon top” 30-hour shelf clock – keep or sell?

May 14, 2022

This 30-hour shelf clock (hour strike) was manufactured by American clock-maker E. Ingraham and Co. in the 1870s. There are various iterations of the name over the maker’s history but this was the one the company used from 1861 to 1880. The clock was bought at auction in mid-March 2022 along with 3 other clocks. … More Refreshing an Ingraham “octagon top” 30-hour shelf clock – keep or sell?

Chauncey Jerome 30-hour movement – two unusual issues during servicing

December 7, 2021

I was not really looking for an ogee clock to add to my collection. But there it was sitting in a lonely corner of an antique shop calling me, “buy me”; and I did. It is probably the oldest one in my collection of 4 other ogee clocks. It was made in or about 1845. … More Chauncey Jerome 30-hour movement – two unusual issues during servicing

Using a paint roller to revive a clock dial

July 23, 2021

It might sound a little strange to use a paint roller on a clock dial. This is not just any paint roller but one specifically designed for the purpose. The candidate is a embossed dial pan for a Waterbury Wren shelf clock C.1895. Most of the paint has been rubbed off the dial over the … More Using a paint roller to revive a clock dial

A marriage of two makers, Waterbury and Seth Thomas

May 9, 2021

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

HAC movement

HAC/HAU movement servicing

April 27, 2021

The arrangement of the gears should be familiar to anyone working on German clocks made in the first quarter of the twentieth century Bought on an online estate auction site earlier this year, servicing the movement is the subject of this post. Once the movement is serviced, the next step is to address dirt and … More HAC/HAU movement servicing

Ingraham Grecian

Ingraham Grecian – servicing the movement

April 13, 2021

After having completed work on the case and dial pan of the Ingraham Grecian time and strike shelf clock it is now on to servicing the movement. Assessing the movement The movement is in surprisingly good condition for its age. It has been serviced in the past, when, I don’t know. Here’s what I discovered … More Ingraham Grecian – servicing the movement

Ingraham Grecian Harris and Sons auction photo

E. Ingraham Grecian shelf clock – first look and action plan

March 13, 2021

This article is the first look at one of my latest online auction finds, an E. Ingraham & Company shelf clock known as the Grecian. The Ingraham Clock Company operated under a number of minor name variations over the years, E. Ingraham, E & A Ingraham, the E. Ingraham Company, E. Ingraham and Company from … More E. Ingraham Grecian shelf clock – first look and action plan

Ansonia Syria parlour clock – Part II

October 9, 2020

Over the summer of 2020, I was asked to service a friend’s clock. It is an attractive machine-carved oak Ansonia Syria parlour clock in the popular Arts and Crafts style of the late 19th century. It has great sentimental value to my friend but she recognized that it was in need of adjustment or repair. … More Ansonia Syria parlour clock – Part II

Case is in fair condition, dial face has some flaking

Canada Clock Co. – a frustrating movement

May 9, 2020

In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 The movement in this Canada Clock Co. time and (hour) strike cottage clock from the late 1880s is a mess but fixable. Some past repairs are acceptable while other leave a lot to … More Canada Clock Co. – a frustrating movement

Plate clock movement – simple but finicky

April 27, 2020

In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 Small shelf clocks of the 1930s from BlackForest Clock Co. of Toronto shared a simple German-made time-only movement across the line. The movement has tiny wheels and pivots plus a clever twisting pendulum … More Plate clock movement – simple but finicky

Finish almost completely gone

Session Electric clock model 3W – refinishing the case

April 23, 2020

In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 The only exception to my collection of mechanical clocks is this vintage Sessions electric auto-start table clock, model 3W, made by the Sessions Clock Co. Forestville, Connecticut in 1934 and sold throughout Canada … More Session Electric clock model 3W – refinishing the case

Back label in good condition for the age of the clock

Canada Clock Co. Hamilton Cottage Extra – dial in-painting

March 21, 2020

While waiting for movement parts I continued to work on the case of this antique Canadian cottage clock from the mid 1880s. The dial needs attention and in this article I will describe the procedures for in-painting the numerals and decorative elements. Decorative hand-painted antique dials need attention from time to time. Through environment and … More Canada Clock Co. Hamilton Cottage Extra – dial in-painting

E N Welch Cottage Extra servicing Part II – cleaning, bushing and testing

January 31, 2020

This rather plain, box-like 8-day hour strike Rosewood veneered shelf clock is up for servicing. This is Part II of a two-part series. Go to Part I to read my notes and observations while disassembling the movement and the initial steps required to bring the clock to running condition. The movement is in reasonably good … More E N Welch Cottage Extra servicing Part II – cleaning, bushing and testing

A small piece of veneer is missing from the bezel of this Seth Thomas shelf clock

A veneer repair can make a difference on a Seth Thomas shelf clock

January 22, 2020

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

Back of clock showing patent dates, CSA decal, adjustment knob and cord

Sessions electric table clock, model 3W

January 4, 2020

Though my collection consists of mechanical clocks exclusively, now there is an exception, a vintage Sessions electric table clock, model 3W with sweep second hand, made, of course, by the Sessions Clock Co. Forestville, Connecticut in 1936 and sold in Canada (a Canadian Standards Approval sticker is on the back). Also on the back, it … More Sessions electric table clock, model 3W

Is it a Jerome & Co. clock or something else entirely?

December 27, 2019

This interesting Rosewood veneered round top, mirrored tablet shelf clock appears to be a Jerome in name only. It is not a fake or marriage but a curious product of early to mid-1870s marketing. But first, a little Jerome history. One might be tempted to assume that this clock is associated with Chauncey Jerome, one … More Is it a Jerome & Co. clock or something else entirely?

Blackforest clock movement

Blackforest clocks – I must be a sucker for these things

December 21, 2019

Your first thought might be the Blackforest region of Germany and there is, indeed, a close relationship to that region to a small clock company that operated many years ago in Toronto, Ontario (Canada). Blackforest is (or was) a well-known Canadian clock company. The Blackforest Clock Company of Toronto, Ontario was founded by Leopold and … More Blackforest clocks – I must be a sucker for these things