Antique Clocks - The Steady Passage of Time

Yes, you can have a very nice digital clock by yourto purchase an antique clock and not be able to
bedside that will play the radio when you wake up,stand it upright!
the digital numbers glow with your favorite colors andSecondarily the antique clock is furniture. It graces
it will even play music for you with a timer until youyour home in a particular way with its mahogany
are asleep. That is fine, but there is absolutely nothingcase and brass clock face.The longcase or
like the gentle sound of a chime or bell coming fromgrandfather clock was originally evolved from a
the living room telling you not only what the time is,pendulum clock that hung on the wall, the case being
but in a soft, musical and soothing way. This is theadded to enclose the pendulum. Since this time the
antique clock.grandfather clock has become an art form in itself
It was not so many years ago that digital clocks didand very desirable to collectors. As you know with
not exist. The "grandfather "or "long case" clock wasany furniture, in addition to the clock mechanism,
more the norm than was the bedside alarm clock.there are many factors which determine its value and
Now of course this grandfather clock has become andesirability; specifically age, quality and condition. It
antique clock, fit to be enjoyed and treasured formay surprise you to know that superior clocks of
lifetimes.this type from the late 17th or early 18th century
An antique clock is unusual in the world of antiques inmay be valued at $500,000.00.
that it is a working piece of art, or should be in orderPendulum clocks are wound with a key to keep the
to get the most enjoyment and value. I wouldtension on the movement and enable it to keep time.
definitely think twice about attempting to buy a clockThere are two types of movements, 8 day and 30
that is not working and expect that it will be easy tohour. This means that this is the interval at which
get it up and running. It may be neither easy orthey must be wound in order not to lose time or run
indeed possible. Often it takes a skilled clock makerdown completely. The 8 day clocks have a weight
to repair a clock and it is usually not cheap.That beingwhich drives the pendulum and one which drives the
said, perhaps you may get a better deal on abell or chime. These clocks have keyholes on either
non-working clock if you know someone to repair itside of the dial to wind each one. Some clocks also
or can do it yourself.came with the added feature of having a moon dial
The antique clock is primarily a timepiece after all. Ior a tidal dial for local tidal times.
have had the pleasure to have owned some andMost clocks have not survived the ravages of time
been in homes that had them and I can personallywith out repair or in some case deliberate alteration in
attest to the soothing feeling mentioned previouslyorder to make it appear more desirable. Adding an 8
that comes from the hour on the hour ( or even halfday movement where there was none originally or
hour) chime or bell in the middle of the night. To mereplacing or adding ornaments where the original is
it is somewhat like a fog horn, lonesome andbroken off or never existed. Detecting this sort of
soothing at the same time.alteration is best left to the expert. If you feel there
In earlier times the grandfather clock was everis something odd about the clock you are considering,
present and homes had very high ceilings. If this isyou may save yourself a considerable amount of
one you are considering, make sure you know thetime and money to consult a professional to evaluate
dimensions of both the entrance to your home asyour antique clock.
well as the actual ceiling height. It would be a shame