Do you spell tabletop clocks as Mantle Clocks or Mantel Clocks?  An interesting language dynamic which affects how people buy and sell clocks has to do with this often seen simple variation on the spelling of either mantel clocks or mantle clocks.  Both are correct.  Major clock manufacturers use both spelling all the time.  A simple search of the 2 terms on Google (now is the time to make a guess as to which is more popular) shows - we just looked - about 194,000 search results for mantel clocks and 199,000 for the mantle clocks spelling. We view that as a strikingly similar number for the spelling variation.

Our general understanding, without having performed a scientific analysis, is that mantel clocks is generally the American spelling, and that mantle clocks is generally the British spelling.  Take geographic considerations into account, and the first is more popular in all of North America and the latter more popular in all of Europe.

Less of a variation than grandfather clocks vs. tall case clocks and long case clocks, but nonetheless a very interesting one.  If one looks at the manufacturers of new clocks, not surprisingly, Howard Miller Clocks, based in the USA, tends to use the mantel clocks spelling, while Hermle Clocks, based in Germany, tends to use the mantle clocks spelling.

Also, antique clocks, most of which were made in Europe, if one looks at the history of clocks, will frequently be seen with the Mantle Clocks spelling.

Personally, we like Bracket Clocks, and are pleased that there appears to be only way to spell wall clocks.

It almost appears as though many marketers of clocks waited until after this past Christmas season to introduce and attempt to flood the American marketplace with cheaply made clocks products at much lower price points.  This is a trend we have noticed, and seems now to be accelerating and becoming as prevalent for grandfather clocks as it has been for wall clocks and mantel clocks.

Whether shopping for a grandfather clock or a mantle clock timepiece, it is more important then ever to understand what exactly one is thinking about buying.  Special attention should be given when tucked away in the language describing a clock it says something like some assembly required.  Without naming names, we have started to see more and more of the larger Dealers peddling clocks as though they are comparable to ones made by such known makers as Howard Miller Clocks or Hermle Clocks, when they in fact may be cheap imitations, sometimes even using the same model names to sell entirely different clocks.

We have heard from customers who are confused by what they are seeing in the marketplace, and think one Company’s product was actually made by another leading and well known Company.

We welcome input from clock shoppers and the relevant experiences they may be having.

In the meantime, while caveat emptor should always be on the minds of any shopper, buyers of timepieces should carefully look at their options, and ask the hard questions to make certain they are comfortable with what they are buying all of the time.

There is probably no single day of the year when clocks - whether grandfather clocks or wall clocks or mantel clocks - get more views than on New Years Eve.  The same holds true for wristwatches and other timepieces, whether tuning in on television to celebrate in cities around the country and world, or celebrating with immediate family and or a few close friends at home.

This is enough to make 1-800-4CLOCKS still relevant and shows the continued need and desirability, not to mention obsession, with the passing of time, and done so in an elegant way.

Atomic clocks, with their at least theoretical one-billionth of a second accuracy for the most accurate ones, and even computer clocks syncing with Atomic Time can supplant the need to be on the same page by watching television network broadcasts.  But a sense of a global community would still be missing and can be enhanced, at least for many, by joining the world with televised broadcasts of the exploits and celebrations in cities around the world.

Some households and parties will no doubt be celebrating around clocks they have purchased from 1-800-4CLOCKS as 2007 winds down and 2008 is welcomed in. We have seen this trend as it has been volunteered to us by some of our customers.  Whether a grandfather clock or grandmother clock, atomic or wall clock, mantel or anniversary clock, or a Rolex or Casio wristwatch, or a cell phone or iPod’s timekeeper, time will be marked by the device of your choice, whether your own or a communal resource like New York’s Times Square with its remarkable display and countdown to 2008.

Let us know if you and yours have any special stories or celebrations to share about how you rang in 2008, and whether a timepiece played a key, or even dare we say interesting, role.

This blogger has a somewhat unusual way of ringing in the New Year, which usually involves being in a movie theater (watching a movie, in case you are wondering), and not even knowing exactly when the clock is approaching, reaching, or passing midnight.

Please share your stories, and have a great time and happy and healthy year in 2008, however you mark time.

Well, Thanksgiving has now come and gone, and the crazy mad rush shopping season has begun.  While most people are thinking about ipods, or plasma or HDTV televison sets, there are many businesses and individuals who are also looking to clocks as anything from corporate business gifts to prized possessions to be given as presents for weddings, anniversaries, important birthdays, from children to parents, and from parents to children, as cherished timeless keepsakes to be handed from generation to generation.  And of course, there are some who find a grandfather clock as the elusive perfect personal present for Christmas or Holiday gift giving for their spouse, for themselves, or other close relatives.

Not only grandfather clocks are becoming more common as heirloom gifts, but 1-800-4CLOCKS is also seeing an increase of gift giving by individuals and corporations with wall clocks, mantel clocks, novelty clocks, atomic clocks, and of course the gift for good corporate citizens and corporate customers or for corporate promotions of the marketing variety.

More choices and styles are also making doing your homework that much more important.  Clocks now feature more chimes than ever - you can hear the Westminster, Whittington, St Michaels, Schubert’s Ave Maria and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy Ode on the 1-800-4CLOCKS website for clocks that feature these chimes.  Other features such as volume control, lit cabinets, automatic night time chime shut-off option, and many more physical styles, including contemporary. modern, and old style, make clock shopping both more fun and more challenging than ever.  Also, without naming names, it is amazing the number of customers who come to 1-800-4CLOCKS after looking at clocks at many of the largest Retailers around the country, and can see the difference between a cheaply made clock, which 1-800-4CLOCKS attempts to carry none of, and one which is well-made.  The hallmark brands such as Howard Miller, Seth Thomas, Ridgeway Clocks, Hermle, Bulova, and Movado help ensure years of lasting quality and fine craftsmanship and materials.

As many of the higher-end clocks are increasingly being looked to as heirloom gifts, consumers and businesses are fortunate to have more GOOD choices than ever before.  Just be sure to look carefully before you leap.

With the addition of Schubert’s Ode to Joy and Beethoven’s Ave Maria Chimes, one will soon be able to listen to most all of the clocks chimes currently available.  These two newest clocks chimes add to the historically more famous, or at least utilized, chimes, which are the Westminster Chimes, St Michaels Chimes and the Whittngton Chimes.

It is worth noting that almost all of the quartz clocks playing either of these chimes give the Customer an opportunity to have not only the more traditional Chimes noted above, BUT ALSO to listen to the Ave Maria and Ode to Joy Chines on each quarter of every hour vs. hour only, which is the way Grandfather Clocks play these two newly added chimes all the time (currently, at least).  Take a look at several of the Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks to hear the different chimes.

Howard Miller Clocks and Ridgeway Clocks, in particular, offer many clocks with the Ave Maria Chimes (frequently in concert with the Westminster Chimes) and Ode to Joy Chimes.  Look around, listen, and enjoy!

OK, so I think I am an expert on clocks and time. I advise people in Companies on how to adapt their time systems to changes in Daylight Savings Time, and it has even become slightly complicated, perhaps even requiring a so-called expert, or so I might have called myself before today. A good chunk of the last week was devoted to the History of Daylight Savings Time, helping our corporate and individual customers know what to expect and why, and how it might even affect their own networks and employee time tracking system. Even owners of grandfather clocks wanted advice. We shared that these most recent changes came about as a result of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 signed by President George W Bush. We pointed to some of the unanticipated problems that occurred last week and that might be expected to happen this weekend. And how it could extend to every timekeeping gagdet of the numerous variety that exist in today’s world.

We even addressed energy savings, worker productivity, and even had the opportunity to put in a common public safety plug recommending battery changes to smoke detectors with each of the 2 changes in daylight savings time each year. Motherhood and apple pie.

We knew and spoke of software companies that were busily at work sending out last minute patches.

Well, talk about the emperor having no clothes, or in this case no clock or no telephone either. My telephone-pda-internet connection all-in-one-device, my umbilical chord to the working world at large, would not even turn on today. And guess what, the patch that was sent and had been applied didn’t help one iota! No time, no email, no internet connection, no nothing!

So much for good planning. My carrier-supplier shall remain nameless. Perhaps I’ll have better luck next time! If this does happen again, 1-800-4CLOCKS may feel compelled to name names. But I think because of the extra hour of sleep I got, I am feeling a little more relaxed and in a better frame of mind.

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

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.

Some of the biggest buyers of everything from grandfather clocks for the bride and groom, to clocks given as presents for special “thank you” wedding gifts to bridesmaids and groomsmen (even many a best man and matron of honor or maid of honor have been the lucky recipients of some very special clocks). Many parents and in-laws to be have said what could be a better homewarming or housewarming gift to their son and daughter than an heirloom quality grandfather clock. Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, and Mantel Clocks and Wall Clocks by such makers as Movado, Seth Thomas, Chelsea, and Howard Miller have been favorites.

As a general gift, a clock on a desk is viewed an average of something like 50 times a day. What better gift or present to be remind someone of that special occasion.

Special anniversaries, or a move to a new home, are another impetus for many to be generous to their loved ones for these special moments. Just this past week we noted with great pleasure the gifting of one of nicest Howard Miller Wall Clocks given by a son to his parents for the occasion of their 65th Wedding Anniversary. It was sent by FedEx.

Howard Miller Thomas Tompion Tabletop Clock