I am all in for a bargain and one cannot buy a clock any cheaper. A friend spotted this German-made Jauch time-only calendar clock in a thrift shop for $1.65. The date stamped on the movement is July 1979 which is no surprise since the clock has a number of modern features such as a … More Jauch time only calendar clock – a closer look
Jauch was related to one of the oldest Black Forest clock-maker families. The Gerbrueder Jauch company manufactured hall, wall, and mantel clocks and movements for the trade including those that were spring and weight operated. In late 1979, the company fell victim to a curtailed export limiting production. Gerbrueder Jauch GmbH eventually went bankrupt in … More Jauch time only calendar clock – first look
The hour hand is loose on my unmarked circa 1840s banjo clock. It is an unusual problem and I can’t say I have ever come across an issue like this in my years of clock repair. It is supposed to friction fit on the hour pipe but the hand is definitely quite loose. I have … More Repairing a loose hour hand on a weight-driven banjo
So, how to sell your antique clock? Unless a clock has a distinctive provenance or, is rare, it is difficult to make any sort of profit on an antique clock today. Some unique clocks, ones with a special history or, those made by famous clockmakers (those in the clock world know who they are) have … More Selling your antique clock – some simple and effective strategies
Between 1903 and 1933 the Sessions Clock Company of America produced 52 models of mechanical clocks ranging from simple mantel clocks and shelf clocks to wall or “regulator” clocks all designed for the home or small businesses. Found in many homes across America Sessions clocks were regarded as relatively inexpensive, simple in design, and decently … More Sessions Mission style wall clock – past shoddy repairs make servicing a challenge
Once the Sessions Clock Co acquired E. N. Welch assets in 1902 (for more on the history of E. N. Welch Clock Co. go here) the company was well on its way to becoming one of the biggest clock producers in America. Production began in 1903 and between that time and 1933 Sessions produced 52 models … More Mission style wall clock from Sessions – first look
Seven clocks in my collection have family connections, not necessarily with my own family but clocks that I am able to trace back through families mostly in Nova Scotia (Canada). No names are mentioned. The stories are sad in some cases but interesting nonetheless. Let’s begin. Waterbury wall clock When I was a child back … More 7 Clocks in my collection that have family connections
Earlier this year I bid on an English-made Empire gallery clock at an online estate auction and won the bid. When I collected the clock I had hoped I had bought a clock with a fusee movement but it turned out to be one with a conventional spring-driven time-only movement. No matter, it was not … More Second gallery clock bought this year – this one has a fusee movement
I often get letters from my readers that begin with something like, “I picked this up in a thrift store” and marvel at what they find for next to nothing. Quite often the item they snagged at an unbelievable price needs a little love but that is to be expected. While on our summer jaunts … More Sessions wall clock found in a thrift store
This wall clock was gifted to me in the spring of 2022. I have no idea who made the clock, there are no markings on the case or the movement. It was likely sold by the Forestville Clock Company of Toronto in the 1960s and my guess, a Hermle movement. I could find nothing else … More Wag on a wall – servicing a well engineered movement
My wife’s uncle was an internist (internal medicine specialist) in Newfoundland and practiced for many years but dementia and its attendant complications finally got the best of him. He spent the last 5 or so years in a locked ward of a residential facility for the elderly. As part of his practice, he set up … More Wag on a wall clock – does it wag?
In our quest to have our antique mechanical clocks run accurately the immediate response is to regulate the clock, but have you thought about calibrating your mechanical clock? It is not as difficult as it sounds. This is not the same as regulating your clock. A properly regulated Anerican-made spring-driven clock will show the correct … More Calibrating a typical American spring-driven mechanical clock
Having trouble getting that newly acquired clock to run continually. It may be as simple as a clock that is out of beat. Here is a quick guide for setting the beat on your mechanical clock. This quick guide refers to a mechanical clock with a pendulum. 400-day clocks, clocks with a balance wheel or … More Beat setting – a super quick guide
An attractive gallery clock made by the Empire Clock Co. of England was bought at auction this past spring. It has a very conventional time-only movement and as with most time-only movements there are only a few wheels to worry about when servicing. The minute and hour wheel are outside the front plate. The movement … More Empire gallery clock servicing – no bushing work this time
A couple of weeks back I featured this Welch marine style wall clock. A marine clock can also refer to a ships’ bell clock. Ship’s bell time originated in sailing ship days, when the crew of a vessel was divided into Port and Starboard Watches, each on duty four hours, then off four hours. One … More Welch marine clock – two issues addressed before servicing the movement
Marine movements were in high demand by the 1850s as boat and rail traffic increased. The marine movement is a specific type that does not have a pendulum. Pendulum clocks do not work on a ship or train because they require a stable base. A marine clock has either a balance wheel or lever escapement … More E. N. Welch marine style 30 hour wall clock
Some years ago I had this brainy idea that I would have a trio of time zone clocks above our main computer in the kitchen so, when one of our children called, all we had to do was glance at the wall to see what local time it was in their region. Back then we … More Three small drop octagons that match – finally!
When I placed my online bid on this time-only gallery-style clock (local auction house) in June 1922 I had hoped it had a fusee movement since a clock with a fusee movement has always been on my wish list. A fusee (from the French fusée, wire wound around a spindle) is a cone-shaped pulley with a helical groove around it, … More English gallery clock by the Empire Clock Co. is not a fusee
I never actually went to this auction but participated online. It is not quite the same as the rush of bidding in a live auction hall but exciting in its own way. This particular auction had quite a number of clocks but I would say that most were in rough or what I would call … More Clocks won at auction – at a fair price
I have had my eye a clock timing machine for a while but I was recently encouraged to accelerate my plan to buy one. My Timetrax model 50 beat amplifier stopped running for some reason. Okay, I dropped it and it made a strange rattling noise when I picked it up. Now it doesn’t work! … More Do I really need a clock timer?
Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from readers concerning clock issues, challenges faced, a clock you would profiled or advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that stump even me, I consult within my clock circles for the best possible answer PN writes: We bought this … More Tick Talk Tuesday #41 – who made this clock?
Honestly, an entire book could be devoted to the topic of dating clocks. Some time ago, I published an article titled “How to Date an Antique or Vintage Clock – Part I,” in which I used specific examples from my own collection. I’d like to explore this topic further, and this post will discuss additional … More Dating an Antique or Vintage Clock – Part II
Ten years have flown by very quickly. Just the other day I was cleaning a clock I serviced over 5 1/2 years ago and it struck me that I have been at this for over 10 years and loving it. Three years into the hobby I decided to begin blogging and have been at it … More Lessons learned from 10 years of clock collecting, repair, and restoration
Those of you who work on mechanical clocks regularly must have run into this situation at least once. Everything went perfectly until the very end. Sessions time and strike movements are very common and I have worked on quite a few over the years. They are reasonably well constructed with the exception of a well-documented … More The count wheel is on backward – oops
This banjo clock project has been an ongoing challenge for nearly a year, a very enjoyable one that has taught me so much. The movement has been serviced, 4 new bushings installed, the case has been cleaned, veneer issues addressed on the two bottom corners, a new post was made for the final, dial glass … More Sawin banjo clock – wood dial bezel fix
Antique and Vintage Mechanical Clocks 
You must be logged in to post a comment.