Antique Clocks
(Click Images to Enlarge)

Collecting antique clocks is a great way to bring a slice of history into your home as well as charm and beauty. But as with any type of collectible it is important to proceed cautiously and to learn as much as you can about what makes an antique clock valuable.

Just what makes a clock an antique?  Every collector and antique enthusiast knows that, for the most part, to be an antique something must be at least 100 years old. There are a few exceptions to this and some clocks are on this list of exceptions.

In keeping with the standard definition, any clock in excess of 100 years old is an antique but also considered antiques are the shelf clocks and mantel clocks from the 1920s. Even though those clocks have not witnessed a century of history as of yet, they are still considered antiques in the clock market. 

The same is true of the fabulous Art Deco clocks made in the 1930’s, most of which were from France or Switzerland. Many of the Deco clocks were made of marble with decorative attachments such as animals, mythology characters and nudes. The Deco period produced many garnitures, which are three-piece sets usually made up of a larger centerpiece holding the clock and two urns or candelabras for placement on either side of the clock.  

Quality can also have a profound effect on the value of a clock and how it is perceived in the clock market.  For instance, early models of the original Big Ben wind-up clocks by famed maker Westclox are highly sought after, even though many other brands of wind-up clocks have little or no value at all in the antique clock market.

The history of the American clock predates the founding of the country by more than a century. Early examples of American clocks can be quite valuable, especially if they are in excellent condition. These clocks are also valuable due to their rarity since American clock making did not get going in earnest until the early to mid 1800’s.  Before this time, clock makers were known to fabricate small individual clocks since there was really no clock making industry per se.

Early on most of the colonists could not afford to own their own clocks. Only the wealthy had the means to have such luxuries in their homes. Everyone else relied on public clocks for the time of day. By the late 1700’s a number of talented clock makers had immigrated to the colonies and settled in areas like Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Charlestown and New Haven.  Some of the clock makers were Samuel Bispam, Peter Stretch and David Rittenhouse. However it would still be some time before clocks were within reach for many people.

As far back as the mid-1600’s the clocks we know today as grandfather clocks, also called long case clocks, were being made in England. They did not reach the colonies until the beginning of the 18th century and it wasn’t until the beginning of the 19th century that grandfather clocks became more affordable. 

Eli Terry from Connecticut is credited with being the first to successfully mass-produce these clocks finally making them readily available to people of modest means. For those who might not know, a grandfather clock is a long case clock that is 6 feet tall or taller. Grandmother clocks look just like grandfather clocks but are less than 6 feet in height.

Of course the history of clock making goes back much further than the original American designs. European clock making was in its heyday long before American clock making got its start and these fine European clocks continue to be in high demand in the antique clock market.  Since their history is so much longer, Europeans have a much different definition of “old”.

To the English clock dealer, antique clocks date back to the 1600’s, as is the case with the grandfather clocks we mentioned earlier. Many of these magnificent clocks once graced charming mansions and estates and owning one is truly like bringing a piece of the past into the modern world.

Many collectors of antique clocks find as much satisfaction in researching the history of the clocks they own as they do in seeking out those clocks for purchase.  It is always fascinating to know not only where the clock was originally made – information that can be gleaned from the clock maker’s signature and the maker’s mark – but where it spent its time since leaving the factory.  This kind of detailed history can be hard to track down but many antique clock collectors find the hunt for this information to be it incredibly rewarding.

One of the great things about collecting antique clocks is the fact that there are so many outstanding brands to choose from.  Some of these brands are highly sought after by collectors – and very expensive – but other brands and models of antique clocks can be surprisingly affordable, which is good for the beginning collector.

It would behoove those new to the clock collecting hobby to become familiar with the various brands – and the features of each one – in order to determine which kind of clock is the best.  Everyone has different tastes so it is important to consider your own style when deciding which kinds of clocks to focus on.  Homeowners with a lot of space may want to place a stately grandfather clock in their entranceway while apartment dwellers may want to focus on smaller pieces like mantel clocks and authentic antique wind-up alarm clocks.

Some of the famous clock makers a collector may want to consider are the Ansonia Clock Company, the Badishe Clock Company and Gustav Becker. Ansonia is a well-known American clock maker, while Badishe and Gustav Becker have created some of the most famous and collectible German clocks. There is also Drocourt from France and of course Gebruders Resch from Austria.  These fine European clock makers are a wonderful choice and those looking for very old clocks may want to consider the European varieties.

We sold hundreds of different clocks at the auction over the years. Some were animated to include an original Mickey Mouse wall clock in perfect condition. That particular clock brought over $1,000. We also sold a number of ship’s clocks – all different varieties by different makers to include the Chelsea Clock Company, Seth Thomas and Hamilton.

The word clock comes from the French word “cloche” which means bell. Ship’s clocks have a bell system and the bell strikes are based on “watches” of 4 hours per “watch.” Eight bells mark the ending as well as the beginning of each watch. At the start of a watch a ship’s clock strikes the eight bells and then a half-hour later it strikes one bell with an additional strike each half hour until the end of the watch. The bells strike in pairs with a pause before the next single or double strike. Below is an example of a four hour watch on a ship – the asterisks represents bell strikes and the spaces in between the strikes represent the pauses:

12:00               ** ** ** **
12:30               *
1:00                 **
1:30                 ** *
2:00                 ** **
2:30                 ** ** *
3:00                 ** ** **
3:30                 ** ** ** *
4:00                 ** ** ** **

Antique clocks are a fascinating and rewarding hobby no matter what brand or type a collector may choose. If you have always wanted to relive the past and look back to simpler times, a beautiful antique clock can help you escape the stresses of the modern world.

By no means are we clock experts. There are several outstanding Internet sites that can provide really detailed information on antique clocks. We recommend you go take a look at some of them. There is also the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors Incorporated located in Columbia, Pennsylvania. They claim they are the largest horological organization of its kind.  

Here are some examples of clock types:

Alarm clocks
Animated clocks
Anniversary clocks
Banjo clocks
Calendar clocks
Car clocks
Carriage clocks
Crystal regulators
Cuckoo clocks
Grandfather clocks
Grandmother clocks
Lantern clocks
Lighthouse clocks
Mantel clocks
Musical clocks
Regulator clocks
Schoolhouse clocks
Shelf clocks
Ship’s clocks
Statue clocks
Steeple clocks
Swing clocks
Wind-up clocks

Should you be interested in purchasing an antique clock or should you be interested in starting a collection of antique clocks, here are a few of the important details you need to know before purchasing one:

• Age of the clock – year it was made.

• Name of the clock maker.

• Determine if the clock movement is original of if it was replaced.

• Look for missing pieces – trim, pendulum, key, etc.

• Get whatever provenance you can on the history of the clock.

• Is the clock operational? If not operational, get an estimate on the cost of any needed restoration or repairs.

• If buying a grandfather’s clock or a grandmother’s clock, does the seller offer delivery and set-up?

• Does the seller offer any sort of a return policy if there should be a problem with the clock?

• Try to get proper instructions on how to care for, wind and clean the clock.

Just a few helpful hints on dating a clock:

• Dials with painting on them date to around 1800 or later.

• Second hands came into play around the 1780’s.

• Moon phases were introduced around the 1740’s.

• Marking clocks with their countries of origin, such as “Made in England”, became a requirement in 1896.

• Chimes were introduced in the 1890’s.

Some clock manufacturers:

• Ansonia Clock Company

• Badishe Clock Company

• Becker, Gustav

• Black Forest Clock Company

• Bradley & Hubbard

• Chelsea Clock Company

• Drocourt

• E. Howard and Company

• Empire Clock Company

• Eureka Clock Company

• Gilbert Clock Company

• Hamburg American Clock Company

• Hammond Clock Company

• Herschede Clock Company

• Ingraham Clock Company

• Ithaca Calendar Clock Company

• Jerome Clock Company

• Lux Clock Manufacturer

• New Haven Clock Company

• National Clock Company

• Resch, Gebruders

• Self Winding Clock Company

• Seth Thomas Company

• Southern Calendar Clock Company

• Terry Clock Company

• United Clock Company

• Vincenti Clock

• Waltham Watch and Clock Company

• Warren Clock Company

• Waterbury Clock Company

• Westclox

• Western Clock Company

• Yale Clock Company

Does anyone have the right time?

Written by Anne Benedetto, Auction House Talk,
All Rights Reserved

.