Most floor clock shoppers looking for new grandfather clocks do not necessary know that Floor Clocks is essentially synonymous with grandfather clocks, but is also a more recent term for Longcase Clocks and Tall Case clocks, which is how a grandfather clock was referred to pretty much everywhere until the late 1800s.

You may wonder what caused the shift in horology or clock terminology towards the terms grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks.  In 1876, a songwriter by the name of Henry Clay Work wrote a song called My Grandfather’s Clock (also known as the clock Grandfather Clock Song) which became incredibly popular and is probably known by much of the adult Western population even to this day.  The song is told from the grandson’s perspective, and the words will most likely look familiar, especially if there were a soundtrack playing in the background, which would be a nice aesthetic grandfather clock touch, but not one we are able to do at this time.

Here are the words to Henry Clay Work song, which while sweeping the USA in terms of what people called Free Standing weight-driven pendulum clocks in an enclosed case, it did not change the nomenclature in the United Kingdom or Great Britain, where these clocks are still mostly known to this day as longcase clocks and tall case clocks:

“Grandfather’s Clock” (1876)

Words and Music by Henry Clay Work, No. 52

Dedicated to his Sister Lizzie

1.

My grandfather’s clock was too large for the shelf,

So it stood ninety years on the floor;

It was taller by half than the old man himself,

Though it weighed not a pennyweight more.

It was bought on the morn of the day that he was born,

And was always his treasure and pride;

But it stopped short– never to go again–

When the old man died.

CHORUS

Ninety years without slumbering (tick, tick, tick, tick),

His life seconds numbering (tick, tick, tick, tick),

It stopped short– never to go again–

When the old man died.

2.

In watching its pendulum swing to and fro,

Many hours had he spent while a boy;

And its childhood and manhood the clock seemed to know

And to share both his grief and his joy.

For it struck twenty-four when he entered at the door,

With a blooming and beautiful bride;

But it stopped short– never to go again–

When the old man died.

(CHORUS)

3.

My grandfather said that of those he could hire,

Not a servant so faithful he found;

For it wasted no time, and had but one desire–

At the close of each week to be wound.

And it kept in its place– not a frown on its face,

And the hands never hung by its side;

But it stopped short– never to go again–

When the old man died.

4.

It rang an alarm in the dead of the night–

An alarm that for years had been dumb;

And we knew that his spirit was pluming for flight–

That his hour of departure had come.

Still the clock kept the time, with a soft and muffled chime,

As we silently stood by his side;

But it stopped short– never to go again–

When the old man died.

(CHORUS)

Bio of Henry Work Clay – he was born in Middletown, CT, on 1 October 1832 to the parents of Alanson Work and Amelia A. (Forbes) Work.   He married Sarah Parker (b. 15 Oct 1835; d. Jan 1857). She was the fourth child of Daniel and Polly (White) Parker. Henry and Sarah (Parker) Work had four children: Waldo Franklin Work (b. 2 Oct 1857; d. 2 Jul 1871); Willie Lovejoy Work (b. 10 Dec 1861; d. 22 Jul 1862); Ellen (or Nellie) Work (b. 9 Oct 1863; d. 15 Mar 1895); and Clara Etta Work (b. 13 Apr 1868; d. Aug 1868). He had three sisters named Loiusa, Etta and Lizzie. He had at least one brother named Alanson. He apprenticed as a printer in Hartford. He published his first song, We Are Coming, Sister Mary, in 1853. He worked for the periodical Song Messenger of the Northwest (published by Root and Cady). He died, at the age of 51, in Hartford, CT on 8 June 1884. In 1868 he published a book of a serio-comic poem called The Upshot Family.

Among his most popular songs were Brave Boys Are They! (1861), Kingdom Coming! (1862), Grafted into the Army (1862), Little Major (1862), Babylon Is Fallen! (1863), Come Home, Father! (1864), Marching Through Georgia (1865) and we think his most famous, and certainly most relevant, Grandfather’s Clock (1876).

How does one define the difference between a vintage grandfather clock and an antique grandfather clock?  Many people will refer to clocks that are 20 years old as antiques, and as someone who is considerably older than 20, I find that rather frightening.  Having said that, when it comes to cars, our understanding is that automobiles are legally defined as antiques when they are 30 years or older, and even can then qualify for special license plates which include the antique designation for those autos.  When growing up, the author of this bog post always thought of antiques as being items that are 100 years or older, and that is the definition we use for whether a clock is an antique clock or not.  If the clock, whether it’s a grandfather clock or mantel clock or wall clock, if it is less than 100 years old, but more than say 10-20 years old, we would consider those to be vintage grandfather clocks, vintage wall clocks, or vintage mantle clocks.

Whether a clock is a vintage grandfather clock or an antique grandfather clock is a question we get frequently, especially from people who want to sell their grandfather clocks or grandmother clocks to us.  In general, 1-800-4CLOCKS.com will only consider buying antique clocks, meaning ones 100 years or older, although we frequently buy newer and vintage wristwatches and pocket watches, as well as antique pocket watches, especially watch collections and pocket watch collections, and whether the timepieces are working or not.  In general, unless an older but not antique clock is highly unusual, because of its rarity or the clock’s functionality or special features, we would not be interested in purchasing it.  Some examples of clocks we have purchased which are not antique clocks and fit into this category include Atmos Clock by LeCoultre, and the Dent Inclined Plane Clock, and some mechanical clocks with unusual automata, including congreve clocks, astrolabiums, an orrery or orreries, a tellerium, the occasional astroregulator, and perhaps some unusual Art Deco clocks as well.  We always keep an open mind, so we always encourage people to ask.  Timepieces of many kinds may be of interest.

The worth of a vintage grandfather clock or mantel or wall clock is another area where we get many inquiries daily.  It is not infrequent that someone calls inquiring about whether we have the xyz clock in stock, and when we tell them no, they then offer that they actually own xyz clock and want to know how much it is worth.  We will usually suggest they either look at completed auctions on eBay or at the website AntiqueClocksPriceGuide dot com, which charges a we believe modest and sliding subscription fee, based on the length of time access, for various time intervals.  How much is my Howard Miller grandfather clock or my Ridgeway grandfather clock worth are 2 other of the many frequent questions we get.  Another is do we buy them (no, but we generally would suggest either selling them on eBay or listing them on Craigslist, and in that case also being very careful for your personal safety.  Great pictures and descriptions, as well as having the Buyer be responsible for pick-up and/or shipping, would be smart moves for any seller.  The Howard Miller website has a link which gives the MSRP (Manufacturers Suggested Retail Price) for all of the grandfather clocks they have sold over their history.  One simply has to input the howard miller grandfather clock model number.  Vintage Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks owners are not as fortunate that way, as the records of all of the serail numbers, and even many of the old clock catalogs, have as we understand it been lost in either a flood or fire for records regarding grandfather clocks and mantle clcoks and wall clocks that are over ten years old.  Hermle clocks and Kieninger Clocks, as well as Americana Clocks including grandfather clocks do not historically have any serial numbers.

Wristwatch brands that we are always on the lookout to purchase include but are not limited to Omega, Rolex, Movado, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Patek Phillippe, Breitling, Audemars, Hamilton, Tiffany, Cartier and many others.  Pocket watches, even including non-working watches and parts and even old tools, include Waltham, Elgin, Hamilton, Cartier, Tiffany, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, Patek and many others, including older European pocket watches whether working or not.

We hope this post helps owners of vintage clocks, including vintage floor clock owners, vintage wall clock or regulator owners or people acting on behalf of owners, or vinatge mantel clocks or table clocks or desk clocks.  Vintage alarm clocks too.

Grandfather Clock Plans used to be quite popular.  Going back 20 to 40 years, there was a ready supply of available plans which were made available – some the bare-bones grandfather clocks plans where everything was dome from scratch, and others with kits provided with either some of the components, e.g. a grandfather clock movement only, and others which also included wood finished and cut and stained, from not at all, to the assembly-only required types of grandfather clock kits that came with easier grandfather clock plans.

Some of the most well known publishers of grandfather clock plans included Mason and Sullivan, which had both the from scratch plans as well as those that came with movements and grandfather clock case, as well as mantel clock case, and wall clock case parts.  Mason and Sullivan went out of business at least 15-20 years ago, but their plans are still occasionally available for purchase, in places such as eBay.  Empire Clocks, or was it Emperor Clocks, were another big name in grandfather clock plans and grandfather clock kits.  Like Mason and Sullivan, they also made back to basics from scratch grandfather clock plans, as well as offering grandfather clock kits, but from our recollection most all still required some real woodwork and staining.  This was also true for wall clocks and mantle clocks offered with clock plans, e.g. wall clock plans, and mantel clock plans, many of which are also found and sold as vintage items.

One company that took a lot of the work out but added tremendous quality was the Kuempel Chime Clock Company, which sold both individual grandfather clocks made to order, as well as grandfather clock kits that came with grandfather clock plans to put them together.  Based in Minnesota, the Kuempel grandfather clocks, as well as mantel clocks and wall clocks, really raised the bar by providing only the highest end solid wood components or completed cases.   The company was run by a visionary man named John Swon who, among many other areas where he saw wisdom, saw the benefit in hiring workers who were local and were senior citizens.  It was a win-win for everyone, including grandfather clock customers who were the lucky beneficiaries of the clocks and clock kits  made by these craftsmen and workers already skilled or who were trained and became skilled in woodworking.

Kuempel also sold very popular grandfather clock kits with German Grandfather Clocks that had Kieninger grandfather clock movements. In addition, they had kits and plans for mantel clocks and wall clocks too, again of German origin. Unfortunately, this great company we believe went out of business shortly after its visionary owner passed away all too suddenly and unexpectedly.

In more general terms, the grandfather clock market seems to have “spoken out” in favor of the economics of buying pre-made high quality grandfather clocks rather than spending the incredible time and effort necessary into doing it the most old-fashioned way.  When one looks at the selections of grandfather clocks offered by Howard Miller Clocks, as well as Hermle Grandfather Clocks, the Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks selection,, the Americana Grandfather Clocks Collection, and Kieninger Grandfather Clocks, and the prices and quality offered with many styles of traditional and contemporary grandfather clocks, it is easy to see that buying one of these incredibly made grandfather clocks, instead of using a grandfather clock plan, may be the easiest decision of all.  Always evaluate the grandfather clocks brands and makers and differences within and between the high-end heirloom quality clocks that will one day be an antique grandfather clock and an antique family heirloom to be  treasured by generation after generation.

 

 

At 1-800-4CLOCKS.com, we are well aware that grandfather clock shoppers looking for grandfather clocks for sale or high-end discount grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks may look to such places as grandfather clock warehouse sales, grandfather clock outlet sites, or those sometimes disingenuous grandfather clocks store going out of business sales.  Many of these are marketing gimmicks by slick clock retailers trying to lure in smart grandfather clock shoppers who are reasonably looking to get the best grandfather clock discount they can on the grandfather or floor clock brand or particular model they may have already scoped out.

Make no mistake.  We think the purchase of a new or antique grandfather clock or grandmother clock, whether one of the Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Hermle Floor Clocks, Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, Americana Grandfather Clocks or the ultra high-end Kieninger Grandfather Clocks is a very serious purchase decision, and should be made thoughtfully and with great care not only because of the value of the item, but also because it is or should be an heirloom piece that you will want to pass from generation to generation and has a very good chance of still being prized as an heirloom antique grandfather clock 100 years from now.

When talking about grandfather clock warehouse sales, we feel we would be remiss in not also addressing the warehouse clubs like Costco and BJs and Sams Club.  It is especially worthy for the informed shopper to be aware that while, occasionally, some of the same models we at 1-800-4CLOCKS will sell may sometimes find their way into one of these price clubs, but much more often than not the manufacturers make special models which are available to and sold by only these price club warehouse stores.  We get hundreds of calls from people wanting to find out how great a deal they got on the xyz model grandfather clock, and in those cases we can only tell them that in reality there is no real MSRP because these models are made only to be sold in these outlets.  Which is not to say it may not be a good purchase.  Having said that, we believe in an eyes wide open shopping and research approach to your grandfather clocks purchase.  Do your homework.  Find people who really understand the different makers, models, features, quality and much more (good luck finding that at Costco!).  This is why niche clock retailers like 1-800-4CLOCKS, who are happy to take the time necessary to answer any/all questions about particular grandfather clock models, and differences within and between brands and features, can make the grandfather clock shopping experience that much more valuable to a prospective grandfather clock owner.  And more than likely, you will end up saving money shopping with us as well.

Back to a grandfather clocks warehouse.  there is another element to buying from a grandfather clock or clocks retailer who has the option of shipping a clock to you “factory fresh” from the actual maker of the clock.  The greatest benefit is that the clock ships only once, thereby minimizing the chance of any shipping damage, which can be all-too disappointing, upon its receipt.  We work with you to make sure you are covered if this happens, but who wants to go through all the extra time and “pain and suffering” involved in these instances.  the other main advantages are that you know 100% you are getting a brand new factory fresh clock, and with zero chance of any counterfeiting or unknowingly being stuck with some grandfather clock floor model when you had every reason to think you were getting a brand new “out of the box” grandfather clock.

So do you think we should be advertising grandfather clocks warehouse sales?  To date, we never have, but we can offer all the benefits of one.

Grandfather clock shoppers – we would love to get your reaction.

A clock shopper’s view of a large wall clock can be anything from what we at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com think of as a Gallery Clock, generally defined as a clock over 15 inches in diameter, and also sometimes referred to as an oversize wall clock.  Some customer shopping for a grandfather clock sometimes refer to it as a grandfather wall clock, even though they have very different clock definitions.  Whether the customer is actually searching for a grandfather or grandmother clock, or an atomic clock, a cuckoo clock or a regular or oversize large gallery wall clock, we have a great selection and like to think we offer the best combination of savings, selection and customer service.

We carry only the brands of wall clocks and grandfather clock selection that we consider to be high end and great value for money spent on a clock.  Some of our most popular brands for oversize gallery large wall clocks include Howard Miller Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, Infinity Instruments, Hermle Clocks, LaCrosse Technologies Clocks and weather stations, Kieninger Clocks, as well as our soon to be our very own more formally introduced line of GiganticClocks™ with large LED numbers in red, with some models in blue, that are both visible from great distances as well as being clearly visible throughout the night and day, even in a pitch black room.  Some of the GiganticClocks™ will also have some variations of the day of week, date, AM and PM indicators, temperature inside and outside, alarms, countdown clocks and even some of the models coming with remote controls.  These large wall clocks will change the market, and will be especially valuable for people who either have vision issues, or want to be reminded or have easy reference to the say of week and date and such.

Right now probably the single most selection of large wall clocks is made by Howard Miller Clocks and can be seen by looking at this link on Large Wall Clocks.  Ridgeway Clocks has some gallery wall clocks, and Infinity Instruments has some more decorative and traditional wall and atomic or radio-controlled wall clocks.  Same with Lacrosse Technologies Clocks, Hermle Clocks, our own Gigantic LED Clocks, and the wonderfully different Rhythm Clocks musical motion and small world clocks, which add a dimension to novelty clocks that has never truly been matched.

Antique Gallery Clocks and oversize large antique wall clocks are also definitely worth a look.  Antique clocks will tend to cost a lot more for the same functionality, but if chosen right, paid a reasonable amount for, and one has an understanding of both the potential pitfalls as well as the relative strengths and weaknesses of new vs antique clocks, they definitely in certain instances can be a viable alternative to new wall clocks.   Some of the main factors to consider in purchasing an antique wall clock are authenticity, whether the wall clock movement and case and dial are all original to one another, its timekeeping ability, whether the tick is too loud, if there are antique clock repair and service people nearby, and whether the features meet your needs as is.

Grandfather Clocks on Facebook, found at www.facebook.com/grandfatherclocks, is the limited presence of 1-800-4CLOCKS to date on Facebook.  We know we have the ability to have tens if not hundreds of thousands of Facebook friends, but we have yet to even begin to really capitalize upon it.

By many measures, we are Americas Top Grandfather Clocks Shop, and it is a clocks shop slogan we have even trademarked.  We know we offer the best service on grandfather clocks discounts and sales, while still providing superior customer service and toll-free support.  We carry only the brands that we think are the finest makers of grandfather clocks, including such names as Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Hermle Grandfather Clocks, the Ridgeway Floor Clock Collection, Kieninger Floor Clocks and Americana Grandfather Clocks.  Historically, we have also introduced our own brands including Museum Clocks™, Grandson Clocks™, and Gigantic Clocks™.   Grandmother clocks by most makers, including Howard Miller Clocks, Hermle Clocks and Ridgeway Clocks, have been another core part of our collection.

We are very interested to get to know if our grandfather clocks customers and shoppers would be interested in us having an expanded Facebook grandfather clocks presence.  We could include wall clocks and mantel clocks as well, my Kieninger Clock, Hermle Clocks, Howard Miller and others, as well as antique grandfather clocks, antique mantle clocks and antique wall clocks.

One differentiating factor in our grandfather clock sales, is that we always have experts available, whether in-stores or toll-free at 1-800-4CLOCKS toll-free on the telephone.  The large majority of our biggest competitors have call centers with people who know little or nothing about grandfather clocks, wall clocks and mantel clocks, whether new or antique.  We also feature grandmother clocks, novelty clocks, cuckoo clocks, atomic clocks, and some wristwatches as well.  Is this something that you as an existing or prospective grandfather clock or other customer would like to be able to address on Facebook?  Would you want to share purchases with friends on Facebook?

What about the History of grandfather clocks, and even grandfather clock trivia, such as the history behind the story and music by Henry Work Clay and  his song My Grandfather Clock, which actually popularized the name grandfather clock in the USA, vs. tallcase and long case clocks as they had been know up until then, and still are referred to today in the United Kingdom and Western Europe.

Grandfather clock movements are another critical component in understanding and comparing grandfather clocks, not only between makers, but also within the grandfather clock product line offerings within a single brand, such as Howard Miller cable-driven grandfather clocks vs Howard Miller chain-driven grandfather clocks as but one of many possible illustrations of the importance of understanding the grandfather clock choices and alternatives facing a customer.  Everything from chimes, to a working moondial, to illuminated grandfather clock dials, to the differences between a grandmother clock and a grandfather clock can be critical to end of purchasing an heirloom quality that will be cherished for generations to follow.

Now again we come back to Facebook, where we can be found at http://www.facebook.com/grandfatherclocks, and whether that is a good or great forum to share so,e, many or most of these comparison clock shopping knowledge based facts which can be so important in any purchase decision.  We thought at one point of putting an actual 1-800-4CLOCKS Grandfather Clocks Store on Facebook, where people could post comments, questions, and also make recommendations and purchases.

What do you think? We would be very interested in your opinion, as social media omnipresence seems to be here to stay.  Demographically speaking, more of our customers, shoppers, and buyers are likely also Facebook members.  Or feel free to send us a tweet at #FloorClocks or @FloorClocks with our Twitter UserName Grandfather Clocks, or visit what we have displayed now on Facebook with the UserName GrandfatherClocks:  www.facebook.com/grandfatherclocks

Clocks Blog is proud to highlight the widely used but not well known term clockes, whether we are talking about grandfather clockes and wall clockes and mantel clockes and atomic clockes.  Even antique clockes including antique grandfather clockes, antique wall clockes and antique mantel clockes.  Talking about the same clocks, but shown with an alternate spelling.

While we deal in antique clockes of all varieties, including antique grandfather clocks, grandmother clockes, atomic clocks, wall clocks, regulators, neon clockes, novelty clockes, astrolabiums, congreve clocks, telleriums, new grandfather clockes by Howard Miller Clock Companymand those Ridgeway Grandfather Clockes and Kieninger Clocks and Americana Grandfather Clockes, not to mention the Hermle Grandfather Clockes collection.

We are known as both America’s Top Clock Shop™ and America’s Top Grandfather Clocks Shop™ .  Perhaps we should also trademark Americas Top Clocke Shop™ and Americas Top Grandfather Clockes Shop™.  Better sooner rather than later!  We have seen this alternate spelling for clockes, or clocks, the world over, and yet even we are not sure where it originated. Anyone who has any knowledge on this clock fact and would care to share would make us and our clocks blog readers very appreciative.  Our best sense, as the author of this post is quite familiar with the clock world, especially in both North America and Britain and the United Kingdom, our best is that it is a spelling used in a non-English language.  Does not make it any less interesting for someone who is intrigued by new and antique clockes and clocks of all types.

Of course we realize there are mechanical clocke movements or movements for wall clockes and mechanical and quartz clockes movements.  The most common grandfather clocke chime by far being the Westminster Grandfather Clock, and with the movements today being made in any real quantity originating from Germle, and either Kieninger or Hermle.

I suppose 1-800-4CLOCKS is fortunate in that it represents just the right number of characters so that we can be reached at 1-800-4CLOCKS, or 1-800-425-6257.  Using the clockes terminology, we would not have been able to use that same marketing tie and and customer service and support that so many of our clockes customers have come to cherish over the years.  Having the greatest selection of high-end heirloom quality grandfather clocks, with the best savings, the greatest value, with grandfather clocks on sale every day, and discount grandfather clocks and wall clocks and atomic and mantle clocks, along with lowest prices and the best customer service, it is no wonder why we have such a high percentage of repeat customers and referrals year after year after year.

When consumers are serious about purchasing a high-end grandfather clock, they will and should not only want to get the best discount grandfather clock available that suits their tastes, but they also need to do their due diligence to understand not only the differences between grandfather clock brands, but also why they may or should choose one type of grandfather clock style with a certain grandfather clock movements, and even understanding the features and varying movements generally available even within that one brand.  They also want to see it and compare it side by side with others in a local clock gallery or grandfather clock showroom.

Aside from searching for a grandfather clock on sale, understanding the differences between and among Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks and Hermle Floor Clocks, Kieninger Grandfather Clocks, the Ridgeway Grandfather Clock Collection, and our newest line, the high-quality Americana Grandfather Clocks.  This is just as true whether looking at mechanical Howard Miller Wall Clocks or Mantel Clocks, mantle clocks by Ridgeway Clocks and Hermle Clocks, and whether one is looking at the single Westminster chime or whether you are looking for a grandfather clock, grandmother clocks, mantel clock or wall clock that has triple chimes with various alternatives.  Aside from chain-driven grandfather clocks vs cable driven grandfather clocks, and the tubular chime grandfather clocks we offer, there is also the option of a clock with a quartz, also known as battery-operated clock movement.  These are the least expensive, and have some real pros and cons, and we at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com are always delighted to talk with customers who want to understand their options while learning and shopping.  One has to be especially wary of some of the cheaply made imported grandfather clocks that have flooded the market in recent years, and may seemingly look like a “steal” but in reality are a complete waste for almost every reason.  Sadly, some of the largest retailers are selling these clocks made to appear like their higher-end seeming lookalikes, and we get hundreds of calls from grandfather clock customers who purchased these, frequently with clock model names similar to the best brands.  There is not really any way we can help these grandfather clock customers who have effectively been taken, and even the big department stores will not allow them to be return because some assembly for these grandfather clock “cheapos” almost always required.  There is also no information about whom these customers can call if and when they have any problems.

What this whole grandfather clock and wall clock and mantle clock shopping experience frequent boils down to is customers wanting to have the ability and opportunity to see and hear these clocks — whether Howard Miller Clocks, Hermle Clocks, Kieninger Wall Clocks and Grandfather Clocks, and Ridgeway Clocks, is to see all the clocks side by side and in a Clock Showroom or Grandfather Clock Gallery.

A fully stocked grandfather clock showroom, with the major models with the top brands such as Howard Miller, Hermle Clock and Ridgeway and Kieninger Clock, is what we aspire to eventually offer to our customers.  The challenge is that this is more of an artifact from the past that the reality of shopping for high-end grandfather clocks in person.  Even when we had our main Grand Central Station Store open, we generally had at most 4 new grandfather clocks on display.  And the clock store that sells and displays a huge selection of new grandfather clocks are very few and far between in different parts of the country.

An antique grandfather clock is a different story, and yet these are a much harder sell, and by definition will be one of a kind at that time which happens to be available.

At 1-800-4CLOCKS, we do hope to buck the trend and have a fully stocked grandfather clock showroom and gallery where people can see and hear everything in person before they buy.

In the meantime, with the advent of the internet, we work hard to make our virtual grandfather clock showroom and grandfather clock gallery online as close to the in-person shopping experience as humanly and technically possible.  Many of our customers seem to truly understand the ways in which we try to bring grandfather clocks to life with the best pictures, the ability to hear grandfather clock chimes, and our willingness to answer any and all questions grandfather clock shoppers may have either before or after their purchase.

We want to be your one stop destination for all your grandfather clock, wall clock and mantel clock needs.  Any questions or suggestions, always feel free to contact us at 1-800-4CLOCKS.

At ClocksBlog and GrandfatherClocksBlog, we like to think that we have created the ultimate www.ClocksDirectory.com to understand the major grandfather clock brands, as well as the different high-end makers of wall clocks and mantel clocks.  We also cover the different kind of clock styles, including the most obvious breakdown between contemporary clocks and traditional clocks.  The different types of cases, whether for mantle clocks, grandmother clocks or grandfather clocks, or wall clocks, are also addressed.

There are not only different high-end makers, such as Howard Miller Clocks and Hermle Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks and Americana Clocks and Kieninger Clocks, yet also differences between brands, clock models of different types, grandfather clock cases, and clock movements whether mechanical cable driven or chain driven or quartz driven.

The chimes that a clock movement can have can also vary widely in quality.  Currently, all of our mechanical grandfather clock, wall clock and mantle clock movements are made in Germany by wither Kieninger Clocks or Hermle Clocks.  The features the movements have within each maker can also vary a lot, including illuminated dials, automatic nighttime shutoff, varying chimes including Westminster chimes, Ode to Joy chimes, Bim Bam, Ave Maria, and Whittington and St Michaels chimes.  Almost all of these mechanical clocks will have a chime-silence option as well.  Additionally, they will have a moonphase dial, either one that actually rotates or one that is fixed in place but there strictly for the overall look and design of the clock.

The cases,  whether for Wall Clocks, Grandfather Clocks or Mantel Clocks, can be made of solid wood, metal or some other material such as wrought iron for a particular design theme.  The woods can vary, as well as the wood stains, and some of the most popular are cherry, oak, mahogany, and walnut, as well as a black satin piano finish.  Some are made of solid wood of the types described, and others are also made of solid wood, including hardwoods and veneers, which are stained to a specific type of wood finish.

Maintenance of any grandfather clock or wall or mantel clock over time is critical to its longevity and whether it will truly survive in its original state as an heirloom quality clock.  At 1-800-4CLOCKS.com, we maintain a database of qualified clock repair and clock maintenance individuals all over the USA and most of Canada.  These are individuals who are either certified by at least one of the clock companies for whom we are authorized dealers, or individuals who are experienced in working with antique clocks including antique grandfather clocks and antique grandmother clocks, as well as antique mantel clocks and antique wall clocks, and are either people with whom we have worked directly before or we have gotten positive feedback about.

Our goal is to have you covered, and to make sure you have all the clock resources at your disposal so that you can purchase the clock of your dreams, and then keep it running happily ever after.

Heirloom Grandfather Clock for you and next generations

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