December 3, 2008
People have been collecting clocks for centuries, and there’s a lot to learn. From famous makers like Ansonia, New Haven, Ingraham, Waterbury and Sessions to functional categories like wall clocks, grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, regulator clocks, cuckoo clocks and alarm clocks, there’s a wide variety of clocks to learn about.
Clock collectors typically look first at the quality of a clock's case, which can be highly decorated in wood, lacquer, bronze, silver, diamonds and even gold. They then delve into the true heart of any antique clock - its 'movement' or internal timekeeping mechanism. This is the collection of gears, springs, and other internal components that can result in a highly precision instrument or an ordinary workhorse.
There are two primary types of clock movements: spring driven (more modern), where the clock is powered by the unwinding of the springs, and weight driven (older), where it's propelled by the dropping of the weights. Both are regulated by an escapement, which controls the unwinding of springs or hoisting of weights and causes the familiar tick-tock sound. Until the advent of battery-driven movements around the turn of the 20th Century, most clocks had to be wound by hand, usually once a week.
How did I get interested in clocks? Something about them has always been ingrained in me. My mom’s father h… [more]
I got started collecting pocket watches partly because I hated wearing wristwatches; I used to carry my wrist… [more]
This virtual museum, created by the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, lets you stroll through tim… [more]
Bill Stoddard's clock history site offers a trove of great reference information on clock and watch makers includin… [more]
Check out this sampling of nautical and maritime items held by the U.K.'s National Maritime Museum and Royal Observ… [more]
In addition to a detailed timeline and history of the Ansonia Clock Company, this site boasts a database of photos … [more]
Philip Haselton's guide to watchmen's time recording equipment. Includes 19th century German portables, 20th centur… [more]
Got a site to suggest? Let us know.
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Knutsford Guardian, UK -
By Andrew McCreaddie » A CLOCK that was made more than 100 years ago for two Irish cathedrals has been sold to a company near Knutsford. ...
Seattle Weekly, WA -
To admirers, Waits' songs—like the films of David Lynch or Tim Burton—are chock full of tangible objects like antique clocks and wooden spoons, ...
Memphis Commercial Appeal, TN -
He once built a tall grandfather clock-shaped cake for Jack Belz's birthday because the hotel's chairman and chief executive officer is a clock collector. ...
PRLog.Org (press release), Romania -
PRLog (Press Release) – Nov 17, 2008 – London UK, -- As true specialists in antique clocks www.pendulumofmayfair.co.uk have a reputation for surpassing ...
PR-CANADA.net (press release), Montenegro -
The San Diego Chapter of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC), Chapter 59, is pleased to announce that the Southwest California ...
The Bee, OR -
It welcomes people who come to the Center for classes — guitar, piano, line dancing, watercolor, antique clock repair, Tae Kwon Do, yoga, children’s art and ...
Prague Daily Monitor, Czech Republic -
By Kate?ina Svobodová / If you are making plans for today's lunch, you may want to try a Czech specialty buchti?ky se šodó, a sweet meal of little buns with ...
Reuters -
... the Colaba causeway near the cafe is packed with stalls selling tourist souvenirs ranging from pashmina shawls to reproduction antique clocks. ...
San Antonio Express, TX -
On one wall, two antique clocks from Switzerland flank a print of "The Master's Touch," Donald Folan's painting showing a clockmaker at work. ...
Ely Daily Times, NV -
Tom Johnson will be auctioning an antique clock and Delaine Spilsbury will add a piece of jewelry to the bidding, with the proceeds going to the Renaissance ...
