did some shopping today. Picking up some furniture at a local store. They had a very nice selection of grandfather clocks ranging from 2k-17k. I’ve always been fascinated with these things as my grandparents had one and as I kid I used to sit and wait for the chime. I liked how many of these had moonphases. My pics aren’t that great it was hard to get a good position with all the furniture crammed around. I know we are about watches but the “dials” on these are hot. All made in the US. By the way right next door to the furniture store i found an antique place. They had just closed up but I got a look inside and saw a nice case of watches. Definitely on the to do list

 

So, you bought one? Picture? These all will have German movements and hardware. Cases likely U S made. I have collected numerous clocks over decades of collecting. But we have a small house, and I really don’t have enough room for anything as big as these.

 

If you like tall case clocks, vintage is where it's at. For me, these clocks are the perfect blend of history, woodworking/cabinetmaking craftsmanship, and horology. My local clock shop has a half-dozen tall case clocks from the 1800s, all available for sale, and all quite cheap. No one wants them anymore.

If you are in the USA, the NAWCC Museum in Columbia PA has a nice collection:


As does the American Clock Museum in Bristol CT:

 

No I didn’t buy one just really liked the look of them. I could fit one in my house but I really can’t think of anywhere it would really look good. Plus with all the watches it’s not like I need more time measurements. Maybe someday.

 

I have a couple. The newer looking one is from mid 1900s perhaps. Junghans movement. One of the weights (for the strike) is removed pending repair. Works well without it.

The older one is unrestored but works perfectly. The strike sounds like a boxing bell and aggravates my wife! The old one may be close to 200 years old and very tall. I wind it everyday (30 hour clock).

The old one is very special to me. My jeweller got it working and delivered it a few days after I left hospital following treatment for a critical illness. I will never part with it.

 

Mine is British, from the mid-19th century. The only family heirloom I got when my grandmother passed away in her late 90s nearly 25 years ago. I've had it overhauled twice, and it's due again. It's becoming increasingly difficult to find a good clockmaker who really knows antique pieces like this.

 

Are these clocks safe to ship overseas ?

 

Properly packed and crated there are no issues shipping internationally. It's done all the time.

 

I think in the USA it's mostly geographical. In Manhattan these grandfather clocks go for big bucks as I suppose all those multi-million dollar apartment owners need one. There's a few group antique shops in the city that have hundreds of them on display and the prices are staggering.
I have noticed once heading up into Ct from NYC the prices and demand for these things drop considerably the farther one gets from the city and Fairfield county. Probably holds true for most other areas of the USA.

 

you might be too late

 

I’ve seen some empty clock cabinets for sale and thought they’d make a great display/storage cabinet for leatherwork tools. But, I still can’t find the floor space for it

 

There are some beautiful and modern designs, but as mentioned in a previous post prices are staggering.

Wife liked a Kieninger Riva tall, but once we saw the price we were shocked.

 

I remember one grandfather clock case my dad had bought at auction to flip in the late 90s. The veneer inlay was absolutely gorgeous even after 150 years and was apparently in a design only done by one shop in one town in the US.

For non-watch time pieces, I prefer H-21s or banjo clocks myself.

 

Hall clocks, tall clocks, or more commonly known today as Grandfather clocks have a long history. Leaving the antique British and American examples aside, Grandfather clocks were fairly popular in early 20th century America when homes were larger with taller ceilings to accommodate them. Then they slid out of favor after WWII but became popular again in the 70's as larger homes became common and people had more disposable income. The best 20th century clocks were made by The Herschede Hall Clock Company based in Ohio, later Mississippi. These were the top of the line, bar none, with 5 or 9 tubular bell movements playing three tunes, massive machined brass plates, hand cut and engraved dials, and high grade furniture casework. They were a very expensive product and they were eventually undercut by far cheaper German movements that flooded the market starting in the 70's. Herschede eventually closed up shop in 1984 as they couldn't compete on price. But they come on the market and are a worthwhile investment as they are the best thing ever made.

One of the first pieces of furniture my wife and I made was a Herschede Sheffield 9 tube clock in 1976. It's travelled all over with us, from TX -> NJ -> MO -> NJ -> CA -> Australia -> TX -> IL and finally back to TX where it has sat in our foyer for the last 16 years. Still ticking away, I have it set to chime the hours only. I wind it every Friday morning and adjust the time if necessary. As they say, they don't make them like they used to.

 

I believe the Herschede clock movements were made by the English firm, Elliot. None finer in my opinion.

 

the place look familiar? Steve is a good pal of mine and here's two I snagged from him a few hours ago. Sundays I make my rounds in that neck of the woods so you better wake up earlier in the morning

 

You bastard. I actually went to his door lights were on but he said he was closed. I could only see that display case couldn’t see what he had but looks like a nice pogue, I keep missing them

 

ah don't feel bad you could always go see our Pakistani pal in Waterbury as he's selling a chopard mille miglia for about 3X what it's worth