Don’t throw that old clock case or movement away. In this article, I will describe how I repurpose/reuse an old ogee clock case and how saving those old clock parts will come in handy someday. Some time ago I responded to an ad on our local online for-sale site from an individual who had four … More Don’t throw those old clock parts away
While refreshing the case of this relatively nondescript mantel clock assembled by a short-lived Canadain clock company I ran into two interesting surprises. Here is a garden-variety vintage Westminster chime mantel clock from the Fleet Time Company of Montreal (Canada). Many of these clocks were sold at department stores across Canada during the pre-war (WWII) … More Fleet Time company of Montreal – case refinishing and 2 surprises
Among American clocks, the name Elisha Manross does not immediately come to mind unlike well-known clockmakers such as Seth Thomas, New Haven or Waterbury. However, Elisha Manross (1792-1856) was an important pioneer of the Connecticut clock. Brass mainsprings are very rare. It is possible for a clockmaker to go through their entire career without seeing … More A 1847 Elisha Manross steeple clock with rare brass mainsprings
It is not uncommon for a mechanical clock to run 25, 30 years or more with nothing more done to it other than the occasional oiling. How often should a mechanical clock be serviced? It is not as simple an answer as it seems. In this post, I will discuss what it means to service … More Service intervals for antique and vintage mechanical clocks?
Restoring the case of an 1850s period Scottish tall case clock with an English bell strike is the subject of this blog. This is Part II of a two-part series. Check out Part I here. While the case was made in Scotland, the movement, dial and weights are all from Birmingham, England made at or … More Restoring an 1850s Scottish tall clock case – Part II
This is my first experience with a tall case clock from the 1850s and my first venture into English bell strike movement servicing. Let me explain. Although the case was made in Scotland, the movement, dial and weights are all from Birmingham, England made at or before 1850. The clock was in fair condition when … More Restoring an 1850s Scottish tall clock case – Part I
Back in December 2019, I wrote about the challenges of adjusting the strike side of this attractive parlour clock, a Waterbury York, circa 1900. Despite many attempts the strike side refused to work. Though I was close to a solution but I did not realize it at the time. I put it aside to think … More Waterbury York parlour clock – a fresh approach to addressing a non-functioning strike side
In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 Tick Talk Tuesday #24 – key required for family clock. Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clock, issues you might have had, … More Tick Talk Tuesday #24 – key required for family clock
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
In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 Is this a German box clock? It certainly appears to be a typical time and strike German box clock with the addition of finials. I discovered it behind a bar at a resort … More Is this a German box clock?
In light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 In this article, I will describe the steps taken to inpaint and restore the dial of an Arthur Pequegnat time and strike gingerbread clock. But first, what is inpainting? And what does it … More Pequegnat gingerbread clock and dial inpainting
Hi readers, in light of current world events the antiquevintageclock.com family wish to convey our sympathy and condolences to those effected by Covid 19 I have a total of eight Arthur Pequegnat clocks in my collection. The newest, an Arthur Pequegnat Canuck is not exactly my favorite though it is not unattractive for a gingerbread … More Arthur Pequegnat Canuck gingerbread clock first look
The disassembly of an antique tall case clock need not be a daunting task. When I bought this clock at auction at the beginning of 2020 I put into practice some of the things I had learned when transporting a Ridgeway grandfather clock in 2013. My advice is to work slowly and methodically but think … More Disassembling an antique tall case clock
For the past several years my wife and I have been searching for an authentic antique tall case clock. I finally found one at an estate auction an hour down the road from where I live and seized the opportunity to purchase a clock I knew practically nothing about. In this blog article, I will … More Scottish tall case clock circa 1850s
Servicing this clock from the Canada Clock Company was a real challenge as I encountered many issues that conspired to slow my progress. I found this clock in an antique shop in downtown Truro, Nova Scotia at basically a give-away price. The seller knew nothing about the Canada Clock Co. and that was fine with … More Canada Clock Co. – 30 hour time and strike needs some love
In this, Part II of my Seth Thomas time and strike shelf clock servicing I discuss bushing work, cleaning, final assembly and testing. In Part I, my observations (and preliminary repairs) concerning my Seth Thomas round top shelf clock were as follows.
This is a Seth Thomas round top mantel clock in for servicing. This is Part I of two parts. Among the most respected American clockmakers is the Seth Thomas Clock Co. My collection consists of six Seth Thomas clocks representing several styles made between 1865 and 1930. I purchased this particular mantel clock at the … More Seth Thomas round top in for servicing -Part I
Let me begin by saying that I love antique stores and I spend a considerable amount of time in them. While I don’t always buy, if I see something I try to get a fair price. Browsing through the aisles looking for that unique, one of a kind item can be a very satisfying experience. … More Dealing with antique stores – a rant
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 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?
How you ever wondered what keeps mechanical clocks going? It’s a miracle they work at all when they are so worn as this one. Most old clocks I come across have common issues, dirty, oily movements such as worn pivot holes here and there. Generally all they need is a good cleaning to put right. … More Jerome & Co. mantel clock – many issues, it wants to run but not today
This attractive parlour clock, a Waterbury York, circa 1900, was bought at auction in the spring of 2019. Though inexpensive it is certainly worth servicing which is the subject of this article. The time side was running but the strike side did not function at all. Usually these sorts of problems amount to simple lever … More Waterbury York parlour clock servicing – a few surprises but ultimately a disappointment
A distinctive feature of this Seth Thomas round top is the lyre shaped 8-day Plymouth time and strike spring-driven movement with a hour strike on an iron bell. Not all of these models have the alarm but this one does. The movement is die-stamped “S. Thomas, Plymouth Conn.” and fitted with Geneva stops (stop-works) to … More A simple Seth Thomas round top alarm repair
My wife’s aunt lives in a quaint home near a small town in the south of Ireland. During our recent visit to Ireland we were invited to her home, had tea and cake and had a long talk about family history. While there I was asked to take a look at the family clock which … More Aunt Theresa’s mantel clock
Chauncey Jerome along with his brother Noble introduced the first mass-produced brass movement in 1839 two years after the depression of 1837 knocked out 90% of factories in the Northeast (New England States). The 30-hour brass movement was rugged, cheap to repair and not subject to swelling found in wood movement clocks. Despite business ups … More Jerome & Co. round top shelf clock – first impressions
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
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