Timing intervals for both oiling and cleaning of mechanical clocks is a question 1-800-4CLOCKS is faced with throughout our history. Each time the same information is given, whether the mechanical keywound clock is a grandfather clock, wall clock, or mantle clock. Chiming clocks, which are for more than just telling time, do require more attention than time only mechanical mechanisms. This is as true for new clocks as it is for antique clocks.

The oil present in the mechanical clock breaks down over time, and eventually the metal on metal movement will slow down or operate irregularly.  Between that and the chances that some dust or dirt have also entered the clocks mechanism, effective clocks maintenance becomes critical.  Oiling and cleaning at defined intervals will absolutely increase the longevity of your clock, and perhaps prevent the need for major repairs to be done along the way.

Whether one is talking about a Bulova Grandfather Clock, a Howard Miller Grandfather Clock, a Ridgeway Grandfather Clock, or a Kieninger Grandfather Clock, all such clocks with high-end mechanical movements need attention throughout time. The 1-800-4CLOCKS.com recommendation — and other clocks professionals may-will have differing opinions — is for a complete cleaning every 5-8 years, and an oiling every 2-4 years. Any signs of problems should obviously lead the owner of the timepiece to advance this schedule.  In general, our approach and philosophy is more of a “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality.

Oiling should only be done by a professional, or a capable horological hobbyist.  It is easy to damage the clock or create the need for more expensive repairs if clock oil is not applied correctly.  This almost goes without saying for the cleaning of a chiming mechanical grandfather clock, wall clock, or mantel clock.

With the appropriate care and feeding of your mechanical clock, not only will it keep better time, not only will it keep the total cost of ownership lower than it would be otherwise, but it will also make that much easier to have a working piece of horological history throughout time that can be passed and cared for from generation to generations.

If you have not been to the 1-800-4CLOCKS website lately to look at a chiming grandfather clock, wall clocks, or mantel clocks, it is worth a trip! When trying to decide which clock to buy and with what clock chime or chimes, now you can actually listen to the chimes on the 1-800-4CLOCKS.com website, and hear the Westminster Chimes, St Michaels and Whittington Chimes for yourself, before you buy.

The three above-mentioned chimes, which are shown and playable with each clock style that plays them, offer incredible sound quality that was recorded by a Recording Music Professional using clocks at our Store in Grand Central Station. The chimes can be listened to as many times as you like. The goal is to create as much of an in-person shopping feeling as humanly possible with current technology.

Clocks that play either the Westminster, St Michaels or Whittington Chimes should have the chimes below available for listening below each clock, available in flashplayer file format with which most every web user has had experience. It is important to reach each product’s description to be positive that the chimes shown match the chimes described in the description of the clock.

All of the chimes can of course be heard in person at our New York City Grand Central Station Store.

The Ode to Joy and Ave Maria Chimes are expected to be added to the 1-800-4CLOCKS.com website within the next 1-2 months, for clocks that offer those musical chimes.

All input from clock, horology, and timepiece or music enthusiasts is encouraged and welcomed any time.

Howard Miller Westminster Chimes New Haven Wall Clock Model 620-196

A customer recently clocks shopping at the 1-800-4CLOCKS.com Grand Central Terminal Store was viewing the highest-end keywound chime mechanical mantel clocks, in this case by Howard Miller Clocks.  He commented that he had spent so much money recently on an amazing antique grandfather clock (one of the best makers of grandfather clocks, with a highly complicated movement, and in a great carved case in excellent condition) that he now thinks of his grandfather clock as his second car.  We laughed (perhaps clocks humor, I guess) harder than we had in a long time, and thought this comment or joke was well worth sharing.

This grandfather clock purchase did not deter this shopper from plunking down a tidy sum on a high-end Howard Miller Wall Clock.  Perhaps he will think of this new time machine as a motorcycle.

Howard Miller Stevenson Wall Clock – Model 620-262

At the 1-800-4CLOCKS.com Store in Grand Central Station, literally almost all kinds of clocks and watches are repaired, from grandfather clocks to wall clocks to atomic and cuckoo clocks. Antique grandfather clocks and all kinds of mechanical clocks in general are one specialty. Almost all kinds of quartz clocks are repaired as well, which usually means replacing their movements. As most people who are looking to get their antique grandfather clock or wall clock or mantel clock or pocket watches repaired know, there is a tremendous shortage of qualified individuals to repair these clocks and watches. 1-800-4CLOCKS rarely ever even goes out of its way to mention clocks repair and watch repairs, because of the existing backlog of work in this area.

1-800-4CLOCKS is addressing this challenge in 2 ways, the first of which leads to actively seeking articulate and telegenic individuals who are also expert in the repair of clocks. The plan is to make one or hopefully a series of streaming videos, which are planned to be launched on a website for which the domain was recently acquired by 1-800-4CLOCKS, which is www.clocks.tv. The clocks.tv website is expected to be formally launched within the next 2 months.

Individuals with existing clock instructional videos or streaming video are encouraged to contact 1-800-4CLOCKS, as are those who might be interested in making new ones. The more knowledge that can be shared in this field of horology and clocks, the better. Everyone in current and future generations can benefit.

In addition, and a separate point, 1-800-4CLOCKS is planning to list a locator on its website for clocks repair people which is searchable by zip code. This is being provided as a public service. Owners of grandfather clocks, wall clocks, mantle clocks and more should benefit when they are in need of this service, which by its nature tends to be more local (although repairs for individuals and organizations all around the world who mail their clocks and watches to 1-800-4CLOCKS for repair). This is obviously especially less practical for grandfather clocks. It is hoped people throughout time will benefit.

Clocks Blog is Pleased to Announce the 2007 Wall Clocks and Mantel Clocks Contest brought to you by 1-800-4CLOCKS.

Many people have a favorite among the many wall clocks and mantel clocks they have seen or may themselves own. The reasons can be many, from antique wall clocks with mercury pendulums, multiple time zone or astronomical dials, amazing casework and carving, the chimes (whether nested bells, gongs or rod chimes) or even built in music box or automata – whether made by Britian’s Edward Dent, John Benson, J.J. Elliott , Tiffany and Company, JE Caldwell, EF Caldwell, Winterhalder & Hoffmeier, Hermle Clocks, Seth Thomas Clocks, or one of the new makers like Howard Miller Clocks, Hermle Clocks (been around long enough to have made both antique and new-vintage clocks), the Ridgeway Clock Collection, Kieninger Clocks or the thousands of other makers of antique wall clocks or mantel clocks or new wall clocks or mantle clocks. Home-made wall clocks and mantel clocks and those built from wall clock kits or mantle clock kits are also welcome.

The 1-800-4CLOCKS 2007 Wall Clocks and Mantel Clocks Contest is open to everyone, and will offer two grand prizes of $250 gift certificates good for 1 year at 1-800-4CLOCKS. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE POSTMARKED BY DECEMBER 31, 2007. No purchase is required, and each individual may submit one entry only (1 for Antique Wall Clock or Mantel Clock and 1 for New-Vintage Wall Clock or Mantel Clock). Your ORIGINAL photo(s) AND description (the more detailed the better) must be included with your entry. You do not need to be the owner of the wall clock or mantel clock you submit, but potential copyright issues may prevent posting more than a description if there are any copyright issues regarding the photo or description. The winners will likely be featured, along with their clocks if desired and as possible, on the www.1-800-4CLOCKS.com website.

There are 2 Categories – one for each $250 grand prize (Gift Certificate at 1-800-4CLOCKS):

1 for Best and Most Interesting Antique Wall Clock or Antique Mantel Clock, and

1 for Best and Most Interesting New or Vintage Wall Clock or Mantel Clock.

Please mail via USPS your photos and description to us at:

2007 Wall-Clocks-Mantel-Clocks Contest

1-800-4CLOCKS

15 Vanderbilt Avenue, Store 31D

Grand Central Terminal

New York, NY 10017

USA

Please remember to include your name and all your contact information. We regret that it will not be possible to return any entries, and ALL must be sent via USPS and postmarked by December 31, 2007. The winners for each category will be decided by the Staff of 1-800-4CLOCKS at their sole discretion. We recognize that mantel clocks and wall clocks have such a rich history, and we expect picking a winner amongst the many spectacular wall and mantel clocks will be both a subjective and difficult decision.