Well, it’s the Sunday in Spring after the 2am morning change where we switch from Standard Time to Daylight Savings Time.  Most people remember the “Spring Forward Fall Back” mnemonic to help remember what to do when.  The writer of this Blog Post tried to go to bed an hour earlier last night to help ease into the time change of the loss of the hour’s sleep, or at least time, from our schedule as we move forward until next fall.  Just after winding all of our new and antique grandfather clocks.

The good news is that it will now be lighter, with natural sunshine across the USA, later in the day.  And theoretically at least, we as a country are supposed to use less energy as a result of the extra amount of sunshine, balanced with the mornings being naturally brighter as we move from Winter to Spring. Not sure this has ever been proven in any definitive study, but the basic theory is sound.

Over the years, the US Congress has switched the dates as to when Daylight Savings Time (DST) and Standard Tine (ST) start and stop.  Aside from being time and tempo aficionados, you may wonder how or why we are so keenly aware of this change when it is made by the Government?  Well, one reason is that we sell some clocks which have what is know as an Autoset mechanism.  What this feature does, is automatically move the time forward one hour during the spring at the designated day, and the time backwards one hour on the designated day in the winter.  Sounds straightforward!  Sounds great for our customers too!  But what happens when Congress decides to fiddle with the actual dates when these time changes take place.  Well, this happened just a couple of  years ago, and boy did that cause problems for our customers and us.  All of the sudden, their clocks were changing time forwards and backwards on the wrong days!!

For those customers with the forethought to contact us, we were able to either send replacement movements or completely new clocks which had the NEW correct time and hour and DATE coded into them as to when to make the time change.  Many clocks shoppers and customers, though, contacted us after the problem became apparent.  We were able to make all of the customers eventually satisfied by replacing their clocks with the appropriate movements or replacement wall clocks.   Most of these clocks are used in institutional organizations, such as hospitals clocks, schools clocks, or factory clocks, or corporate clocks throughout an organization.

Atomic wall clocks obviate the need for this potential problem and solutions, as they set their time EXACTLY according to the atomic time on the atomic clock in Fort Collins Colorado.  So it may take an individual clock a few hours to pick up the revised signal, but it is smart enough to make the change by itself for itself.  This is one big advantage of atomic clocks, aside from keeping absolutely incredibly accurate time.  The only downside to the atomic clock is that some may not be able to pick up the atomic signal, particularly if they are in buildings with very thick concrete walls.  This is occasionally as issue for our clocks shopping customers, and we always try to make clocks discount hunters aware of the potential downside when considering this kind of wall clocks.  Happily, in most instances, it’s not an issue or problem.

Now what about the Monday following the change in Daylight Savings Time.  As a clocks shop employee, where we sell many types of grandfather clocks, wall clocks, mantel clocks, antique clocks of all kinds, not to mention atomic clocks and Autoset Clocks, I personally dread those Monday mornings?  Why, you might ask?  Well, the reason is that most calls on Monday begin with How do I change the time on my grandfather clock, wall clocks, mantle clocks or whatever clock, new or antique.  This is true regardless whether the brand is Howard Miller Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, Hermle Clocks, Kieninger Clocks selection, or Bulova clocks,  Antique clocks too — and an antique grandfather clcok wik have special considerations regarding what NOT to do to change the time that will not apply with a newer Howard Miller grandfather clock or one of the Ridgeway or Hermle grandfather clocks.

Maybe I will take tomorrow off  .  But nope, I love clocks of all kinds, and like-love most all of the clocks shoppers, whether they are always looking for discount grandfather clocks or grandfather clocks on sale.

What was that clocks vow I took — “for better or worse”,  “in sickness and in health, including changes in Daylight Savings Time”.

We at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com will be open tomorrow to help all of our past and present grandfather, wall, mantle, autoset, atomic, mantel, and antique clocks shoppers.

p.s. be sure not to not forget to change the batteries in your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.  The semi-annual changes in time with DST are a great time to do that.  Also, you may want to look at how many years old your smoke detectors are, and whether it is time to invest in new ones which will both (hopefully) definitely work and have the latest in technology.  It could just save the lives of you and your loved ones!

Over time,  we have weighed in on the strengths, weaknesses, and commonalities of the various makers of grandfather clocks, mantle clocks and wall clocks.

Now we are asking for your opinions as to the best makers of wall clocks, mantel clocks and grandfather clocks.

Here are the categories:

GrandfatherClocks:  and Grandmother Clocks too!

Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks

Hermle Grandfather Clocks

Bulova Grandfather Clocks

Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks

Kieninger Grandfather Clocks

We would encourage you in this case to supply your own criteria for rating grandfather clocks. We look forward to hearing from many floor clocks and grandfather clocks enthusiasts.

Mantle Clocks:  Mantel Clocks maker categories include -

Bulova Mantel Clocks

Howard Miller Mantel Clocks

Hermle Mantel Clocks

Ridgeway Mantel Clocks

Seth Thomas Mantel Clocks

Kieninger Mantle Clocks

Included in this category are mechanical chiming mantel clocks, quartz chiming mantle clocks, quartz time only mantel clocks, and others.  We look forward to your input!

Wall Clocks:

Wall clock categories and makers here include

Howard Miller Wall Clocks

Hermle Wall Clocks

Seth Thomas Wall Clocks

Bulova Wall Clocks

Kieninger Wall Clocks

Ridgeway Wall Clocks

Categories within here include Atomic Wall Clocks, Gallery or oversized wall clocks, mechanical chiming wall clocks, quartz chiming wall clocks, quartz rime only wall clocks, wrought iron wall clocks, decorative wall clocks, and indoor outdoor wall clocks.  We would also include combination barometers and wall clocks in this category.

What do you think?  We very much want your input, and we will figure out the best way to present the results for grandfather clocks, wall clocks, and mantel clocks.  It will be quite interesting to see how they differ from the best selling brands and types of grandfather clocks, mantle clocks, wall clocks.  Atomic clocks may be a special focus, especially because of their increasing popularity.

As we ring in 2010, we thought we might look forward in time by looking backwards.  Sound strange?  Well, here is the thinking.  If we know what are the top 10 Features that people most want in their grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, atomic clocks, wall clocks, etc., it will help us all to offer clocks to better meed the clocks sale needs of customers everywhere.

Here is our guess at a Top 10 clocks features list.  We would love input and look forward to sharing it over time.

1.  Clocks on sale or clocks discount.   Sorry, but had to get this one out of the way, even though it may not technically be a clocks feature.  We know it’s top of mind of most consumers shopping for discount grandfather clocks and other clocks, so we thought we would get it out of the way (and remember our Low Price Guarantee!).

2. Atomic time.  Atomic clocks, formerly and still also known as radio controlled clocks, are an incredible innovation in timekeeping accuracy.  Gone are the days when workers argue about when the 5pm quitting time really begins, and gone are the days of hospital workers who may have to note the time of death (sorry on such a cheery subject, but a reality, and a good example) with no issue of accuracy.

3. Automatic night time shut-off on grandfather clocks, mantle clocks, and wall clocks.  Customers who purchase clocks with this feature have the HUGE advantage of having their clock shut off its chime automatically every night at, say, 10pm, and start up again the next morning at, say 7am.  Some customers have commented on how helpful this feature can be if they have a clock in a room in which visitors sleep over.  They have the option of turning the chime off.  Others just love it because they think or fear the sound-chimes might bother them.  it really a personal choice, but it is a great one to have.

4. Illuminated Dials.  While not new in general, this feature is reasonably new to some high-end models of grandfather clocks, most notably some Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks.  Some have illuminated interiors as well.  The big advantage is one can see both the clock’s time, and the clock and dial, even when the light is out.  It is cool!  The only downside is that the clock needs to be near an electrical outlet.  But this is a reasonably new feature many people love.

5. Ave Maria and ode to Joy Chimes.  In very recent years, the high-end clock makers have introduced movements that many times in addition to the Westminster Chimes, offer one or both of the Beethoven ode to Joy and/or Schubert Ave Maria Chimes.  While the Westminster Chimes has been the overwhelming favorite for decades, even when customers have triple chime grandfather clocks, there are many many excited customers eager to also have one or both of their Ave Maria and Ode to Joy Chimes on their Clocks.  And these have been made available not only on quartz movement mantel clocks and wall clocks, but also on some grandfather clocks as well, such as the Howard Miller Clayton Grandfather Clock Model 610-950 (610950) .  We expect this feature with these chimes to be much more popular in the coming decade.

6. Customization of clocks, especially custom or customized atomic wall clocks.  We have seen an increasing desire on the part of businesses and other organization to have atomic clocks, which were addressed above, but with dials that are customized to their needs.  While this might seem simple, many clock manufacturers have stumbled in this area.  We have been able to address this issue with some special design approaches.  And customized atomic clocks for home and office and other organizations will only increase in popularity!

7. Contemporary grandfather clocks.  Many people, and we do not agree with this thought, but nonetheless, many people think of grandfather clocks as very traditional and perhaps out of date for today’s times.  We hear this at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com quite frequently.  Despite the fact that we think there is nothing more beautiful than a traditional or contemporary grandfather clock, and that it adds great home decor value and should be recognized as a treasured piece of furniture, some people are “turned on” only by the contemporary grandfather clocks.  We’ve had clocks of ours of a contemporary nature featured both in TeenVogue as well as on a National NBC Home Rescue show.  Contemporary is here to stay, and will open up many new avenues and new demand.

8.  PC or computer or iPhone or Cell Telephone Clocks.  To be writing about this subject and not recognize the reality that people are seeing the time in many more ways than they ever have before, whether it be on their Apple Mac or PC or iPhone or iPod or simply a basic cell phone (and we’ll mention Google’s Droid phone here too, because we like Google).  Gone are the days of Victorian England when Parliament had to legislate Public Clocks and Pub clocks so the masses would know what time it is.  We believe that the home decor and collectible value of clocks of all types will mean that they will be in homes and offices for many generations to come.  it’s interesting that very recent studies show that with so many sources for time, clocks and watches still receive 90%+ of the views when an individual is seriously interested in knowing what time it is.

9. Clocks for Special Needs or Special Markets.  Technology is allowing clocks to be made which are leaps and bounds ahead in serving individuals with special requirements.  For those who are hard of hearing or have difficulty waking up in the morning, clocks are know available which will not only shake your bed, but they will also have varying forms of strobe lights, AND they have alarms that will knock your socks off, literally and figuratively.  For people who are vision impaired, the shaking and the piercing sounds can be an amazing blessing.  We plan to be carrying these types of clocks very soon.

10. Green clocks.  Would you believe that there is a clock on the market that literally runs on water.  And it’s an LED clock, not tied to a bucket.  We will right more about this amazing clock, and may soon carry it. And solar clocks are making headway in the market.  we expect to see a lot more.

So what do you think?  Will we soon have a solar powered atomic customizable grandfather clocks selection? Which features are most important?  What new ones should we be looking at?  PLEASE share your views with us so that we may serve you better!

Howard Miller Mantle Clocks and Wall Clocks LIMITED WARRANTY

NOTE THAT 1-800-4CLOCKS ENSURES THAT ALL HOWARD MILLER CLOCKS PURCHASED FROM  US HAVE A WARRANTY OF 2 YEARS.  THIS APPLIES FOR CLOCKS for which even Howard Miller only offers a 1 Year Warranty.  1-800-4CLOCKS extends it for an additional year in those cases (applies mostly to quartz or battery operated Wall Clocks or Mantle Clocks).

This product has been manufactured using only the very finest of materials and has been thoroughly tested prior to leaving our manufacturing facility.

Howard Miller warrants to the original consumer/purchaser or recipient that this product will be free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of one year from date of purchase.

Howard Miller’s obligation under this warranty shall be limited to repairing the product with new or renewed components or, at its option, replacing it with a new or renewed product. This warranty does not include damage to product or components resulting from abuse, accident, alteration, climatic/environmental conditions, damage beyond normal use, freight damage, mishandling, misuse, or unauthorized repair.

HOWARD MILLER DISCLAIMS ANY LIABILITY FOR INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY. IMPLIED WARRANTIES ON THIS PRODUCT SHALL BE IN EFFECT ONLY FOR THE DURATION OF THE EXPRESS WARRANTY SET FORTH ABOVE AND THEREAFTER, THERE SHALL BE NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, (INCLUDING MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE), ON THIS PRODUCT.

Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or the limitation on how long an implied warranty lasts so the above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

4

HAMMER

ARM

CHIME

COIL

or

ROD

MOON DIAL

CLICK

SPRING

FIGURE 12

FIGURE 11

5

SERVICE INFORMATION

Before pursuing service, ensure that all instructions provided with your Howard Miller clock have been carefully followed. These instructions will provide detailed information to answer most questions. Contact the Howard Miller web site ( www.howardmiller.com ) for a list of frequently asked questions that may conveniently resolve your problem or answer your question. Most problems can be quickly resolved without returning the clock for service. Before calling, please have these instructions and the following information available:

Model Number: ________________ Serial Number: _________________ Date of

Purchase: ________________ Where Purchased: _________________ The model and serial number can be found on the Product Information Label (see General Information). (A copy of the original bill of sale or proof of purchase or receipt date.) Brief Description of Problem:

____________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________

PROCEDURES TO OBTAIN REPAIR SERVICE

. In the unlikely event that your clock appears to be malfunctioning or require repair, IN NORTH AMERICA please call one of our Repair Technicians at (616) 772-7277 (extension #386). OUTSIDE NORTH AMERICA please call your distributor or agent.

. Have a copy of the original bill of sale or other proof of purchase or receipt date available.

. Have the Howard Miller model number and serial number and a complete description of the problem available.

. Return Authorization is required for all returns to Howard Miller. If you have been given authorization to return the clock to Howard Miller, you will be given a Return Authorization number (RGA#). Returns without prior authorization may be subject to additional charges and delays.

If a return is necessary, please package clock in the ORIGINAL packaging.

Failure to properly pack the clock may cause damage that is not covered under warranty. You should obtain insurance for the return shipment. If ORIGINAL packaging is not available, you may find it convenient to take the clock to a professional packaging and shipping company (consumer expense). Otherwise, please follow the instructions below.

1. Package the clock into a stiff corrugated carton. This carton needs to be larger than the clock and should have at least 4″ (inches) of space between the clock and each carton wall, to allow for adequate cushion material.

2. Position the clock into the carton.

. Wrap the item in a plastic bag.

Damaged Glass Note: Remove all broken glass before packing the clock for return.

Failure to do so may further damage the clock and would not be covered under warranty.

. Cover the bottom 4″ (inches) of the carton with cushioning material.

Cushioning material may

include foamed peanuts, tightly packed newspaper or other similar material.

. Place the clock in the center of the carton on top of the cushioning material.

. Enclose the following inside the carton with the clock: the reason for returning the product, the RGA#, and a copy of the original bill of sale or proof of purchase.

. Fill the remaining space around the clock, and use enough additional cushioning material so that the clock cannot move or shift in transit.

3. Seal the carton securely with packaging tape. DO NOT use masking or tape intended for gift wrapping.

4. Clearly mark the outside of the carton with the complete Howard Miller Company “ship to”

address. Include your complete address. Please include the Return Authorization number (RGA#), above your name, on the address label.

5. Damage caused by poor packaging or freight handling is not covered under warranty.

NON-WARRANTY REPAIR SERVICE

Charges will result for repair services if a bill of sale or other proof of purchase date is not provided, if instructions were not followed, if the clock is beyond the Limited Warranty period or is otherwise outside the scope of the Limited Warranty.

MINOR ADJUSTMENTS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY Repair service and/or parts to correct the following minor adjustments are at the consumer’s

expense:

1. “Set-Up”. Set-Up instructions have been provided with your Howard Miller product.

2. Mechanical Movement Oiling and Cleaning. The movement in your clock is a mechanical mechanism and, therefore, requires periodic oiling and cleaning depending on climatic and environmental conditions. Under normal conditions a movement requires oiling with high quality clock oil approximately every two years from the date of purchase. Please contact a qualified clock repair person or authorized Howard Miller Service Center for this service.

3. Replacement of Suspension Spring. Please return broken suspension spring to Howard Miller for proper identification. Replacement suspension springs are available from Howard Miller.

4. Pendulum, Timing, and Chime/Strike Hammer Adjustments. Instructions for these adjustments have been provided in this publication.

FREIGHT DAMAGE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY It is the responsibility of the consignee to claim any freight loss or damage directly with the carrier. If the carton indicates signs of “visible damage”, instruct the driver to note the damage on the freight bill. If the carton contains “concealed damage”, notify the carrier and request in writing within 14 days of product receipt a carrier inspection and damage report.

Failure to notify the carrier within 14 days of product receipt may waive your rights to a damage claim.

NOT 100% crystal clear?  Having a wall clock or mantel clock  problem?  please feel free to call us at any time at 1-800-4CLOCKS (1-800-425-6257).  We’ll be here and aim to help!

GrandfatherClocks for Sale? We are all used to seeing For Sale signs for just about everything, including Grandfather Clocks.  But how one presents the item for sale, whether it is a house, an apartment for sale, an automobile, or one of any of a number of homer decor or interior decoration items, how it is presented is critical.

Does seeing GrandfatherClocks for Sale make you focus more on the selling proposition than seeing Grandfather Clocks for Sale? It may sound like a silly wordsmith distinction, but timepiece companies as well as almost all corporations selling to consumers and businesses spend a lot of time and money getting the words just right, whether they are selling on line in in bricks and mortar stores or even catalogs.

How about GrandfatherClock for sale vs. Grandfather Clock for Sale.

What about GrandmotherClocks for Sale in place of Grandmother Clocks for Sale.

Or what about FloorClocks for Sale instead of Floor Clocks for Sale.

Or what about HallClocks in place of Hall Clocks.

I myself have always had trouble distinguishing between tallcase clocks and tall case clocks, as well as longcase clocks and long case clocks – but that is based more on a cultural divide between British and American linguistics.

On these seemingly nonsensical distinctions, cottage industries are built on finding the best terminology that can in fact make a big difference in investment decisions and advertising.  If this all seems a bit nonsensical to you, it does as well to us. But believe it or not, we need to factor stuff like this into our advertising and public relations strategy time and time again.

Earlier today, I was reading a highly regarded periodical which happened to address the subject of the future of the laptop, pc, Mac, Netbooks, and handhelds in general, and the perception of an inevitable march towards a continuous convergence to handheld devices for all of ones communication and computing needs.

Not that this is a radical new theory.  I remember thinking something similar something like 15-20 years ago, and the landscape has shifted mightily many times during these years.  Remember when some people thought fax machines would be the ever-present fixture in one’s home and office (I do, but I never believed it for a second).

The corporate “bloodshed” as these industries continue to converge, and as the technologies also become more powerful, will finally, i believe (easy to throw these things out when predicting anonymously) more consolidation than we have in previous years.  To date, the effect has been mitigated by the enormous leaps in technological power and capabilities (Moore’s Law, etc.), and the corresponding software, hardware, and devices, including entertainment, which have had the market opportunity to fill these new needs.  No doubt there will still be many applications of technologies that can, and in many cases have not even yet been, simply imagined as products of the future.

The core uses of these technologies of voice, data, and pictures will continue to converge, even as amazing new companies and technologies are born and are brought into fruition.

OK, so what does all of this have to do with clocks, much less grandfather clocks, or wall clocks, or desk or mantle clocks?  Good question.  The Story of The Clock, might be condensed from its history as being a beacon in the industrial revolution, helping to make order out of chaos and an important contribution to a Civil Society, and to a point such as in England where it was mandated by law that public clocks had to be visible in every pub and across any certain number of streets.

Nowadays, one can look at one’s iPhone, or TV, or Automobile, PC or Mac, and possibly even a wristwatch.  Yet studies have shown that people with clocks on their desks still look at them 30-40 times a day!  That says that a clock is more than a fashion or design accessory, but a useful dedicated device.  Now old habits die hard, and it is hard to say what future generation will do and want.  But it is clear that clocks as home decor accents and interior decorating for the home or office are hear to stay!

Grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, wall clocks – started out in a way as a necessity – and now are increasingly being relegated to office and home decor, and to those older fashioned among us whom have a hard time, or simply no desire, to part with conventions.

That’s today’s Story of the Clocks.

Our Store, 1-800-4CLOCKS.com, is one of the largest clocks retailers in the world.  We specialize in grandfather clocks, but also stock and sell many wall clocks, mantle clocks, atomic clocks, cuckoo clocks, and on and on.  We carry both new and antique clocks.  Pocket watches too.

The brands we carry include Howard Miller Clocks, Hermle Clocks, Ridgeway Clock Collection, Bulova Grandfather Clocks Collection, and premium Kieninger grandfather parts (custom made to order in Germany and shipped directly to customer, with 2-3 month lead time).  For these same manufacturers, and others crafts makers and artisans, we also carry their lines of wall clocks, mantel clocks, atomic clocks, cuckoo clocks, novelty clocks, and much more.

We have a Low Price Guarantee, where we pledge not to be undersold by any online authorized internet dealer for the major brands we sell (see website for details).  A major problem on the internet today is the plethora of websites claiming to be authorized dealers for the companies they are representing when they are really not.  Some lie outright, and others simply skirt the issue.  The sad reality for people who purchase products from these vendors is that the warranties they think they are getting with their clock will not be valid.  A warranty not only gives piece of mind – it also has the potential to save one many hundreds, or possibly thousands, of dollars in repair bills.

Another ploy used by many marketers include what we call “false calls to action”, with 2 examples being “Sale Ends on Friday” or “50% off” when in the first case the sale may end, only to begin yet again immediately thereafter.  In the second example, we see many retailers artificially raise their prices, even if only for an hour, so that they can them claim significantly deeper percentage discounts than they would otherwise be able to do.  We find both of these practices to be both immoral and highly misleading.  We believe in everyday low prices, and always striving to meet or beat the competition.  Free gifts of a dubious nature or value are also promised by some enterprising sites.

This is less of an issue for the antique clocks we sell, where many items are closer to one-of-a-kind artifacts.  Yet we still see “prices slashed” and tie-ins with giveaways in this market as well, but not the same kind of retail gimmickry we new with the sale of new grandfather clocks, new atomic clocks, mantel clocks, and new wall clocks too.

When purchasing a clock, especially a grandfather clock, many people also do not take into account the many factors in the overall value proposition.  Yes the grandfather clock is important, but how will it be shipped to you, by home, what will they do in your home, will they even bring it into your home or will they leave it at curbside.   What about an in-home clocks set-up — who will do it? How skilled are they?  Might it void the warranty?  What if there is shipping damage?  Manufacturing defects?  Are you fully protected?  How do you know?  These are ALL very critical points, and whom you buy from will determine how well you are taken care of in each of these cases-categories.

Everyday low(est) prices and the best shopping experience and overall value. That’s our recipe for success, and our mantra. Come shop with us.

A grandfather clock has become a very generous, but not uncommon, gift from parents to the bride and groom to be. We have had bridal registry requests for grandfather clocks.  Frequently these are families that have grown up with a grandfather clock in their home, and the parents want their children to have the same heartwarming and heirloom quality feel and presence and warmth that is brought from the addition of a grandfather or floor clock to a living room or some other common area of the new couple’s home.

We have had some customers whom have purchased multiple grandfather clocks, one for each of their children when they got married.  One individual recently purchased his 4th Floor Clock and proudly proclaimed afterwards “I am Done!”  His fourth child was soon to be married.  All had apparently wanted the antique grandfather clock that was in the home in which they grew up, but the parents were neither ready to give up their clock and also did not want to start a family war over this treasured heirloom.  Unfortunately, grandfather clock cloning technology has yet to be perfected , but it’s an interesting idea!  Any genetic scientists out there with a blueprint for how this might be accomplished, please get in touch with us.

A grandfather clock or special mantle clock or wall clock as a present for a milestone anniversary, or even a very special birthday, has also been an increasing trend.  We have seen many couple buy grandfather clocks for 10th, 20th, 25th, 40, and even 50th wedding anniversaries, among others.  Sometimes it is the children of the parents celebrating the special event who purchase this special timepiece.  We have had many purchase high-end grandfather clocks, always looking for a good grandfather clock discount or special clock on sale, for a very special birthday.

We applaud this trend and are excited to share in the joy that these gifts bring to their new owners, as well as the satisfaction of the gift givers and present receivers, whomever falls in whichever category.

Clocks of all types make great presents, and as most people know, are also given by corporations to employees to mark very special employee recognition gift occasions, or as employee retirement gifts. Many of our customers have been buying really nice clocks for years to give as gifts to mark a special time with a special timepiece.  As our registered trademark says, “Add Time to Your Life”™.

Recent years have been accompanied by the incorporation of new features and technologies into mechanical grandfather clocks, mechanical mantle clocks, as well as keywound wall clocks.  Some of these same, and additional features, have also been included in the quartz of battery driven versions of wall clocks, mantel clocks, and grandfather and grandmother clocks.

Not all of these added features are included on all models, and even the same general features can have distinct differences between mechanical chiming clocks and their quartz-driven battery-operated counterparts.

One of the most desired features that has been introduced on many grandfather clocks, and those clocks for the wall or mantle too, is automatic nighttime shutoff. Clocks with this feature almost always will also have a chime on-off switch as well, so one can turn the clock chime of during the day as well if so desired, on a day-to-day basis.  This feature is very convenient for those that want to have the chimes during the day, but not during what would be considered the usual and customary hours for sleeping.  The automatic option typically leaves no choice as to when the clocks stop chiming at night and when they start up again in the morning.  It is preset, period.

It is worth noting that the chime on most all new mechanical grandfather clocks chiming and gongs counting the hours  is generally a much lower volume than those from days gone by.  We believe and understand that the manufacturers have done this to appeal to the largest majority of consumers.  And let’s face it — today people’s attentions can be divided in any given room can be divided between a myriad of electronics including other sound making devices.  People can also see the time in many more places than they used to be able to in past times.  So the combination of the two has meant that the greatest mass market acceptance for chiming grandfather clocks and mechanical and chiming wall clocks and mantel clocks has been to lower the volume significantly.  Still, having said that, the auto-night-shutoff-feature is a popular one, and for good reason.

Another feature on some clocks is one or more of lit dials (even backlit dials, e.g. on the Engels Model of the Howard Miller grandfather clock which in this case features a glass frosted dial).

Howard Miller Engels Grandfather Clock
by Howard Miller

Most of the lit dials are simply those with grandfather clocks with lights shining on the front of the dial, some shining through holes purposefully made in the dial, and also lights in the cabinets to also give the grandfather clocks that illuminated feeling.  It is worth noting that clocks with this feature also need to be near an electrical outlet as this feature of lighting is completely independent of the movements, at least in the clocks that we sell and built to date.

Chimes innovations have also taken place on grandfather clocks, as well as wall clocks and mantle clock, in recent years.  While still a minority, more and more both mechanical and quartz clocks are offering the Schubert Ave Maria and/or Beethoven Ode to Joy Chimes almost always in addition to the Westminster Chime and generally in place of the Whittingon Chime and St. Michaels Chime.  These alternative chimes are highly sought after by many clock buyers.  Very few of the mechanical models offer this as an alternative, but some buyers seek those specific models out for that very reason.  We expect to see more and more mechanical chiming grandfather clocks offering one or more the the Ave Maria or Ode to Joy Chimes in addition to the Westminster Chime in the years to come.

Quartz or battery driven clocks have an added feature on their chiming clocks, which is that the volume is adjustable.  For practical purposes, and despite what many people (including “experts”) will say, the chiming volume of a mechanical grandfather clock is for most all practical purposes NOT adjustable.  Completely separately, the sound quality of a mechanical chime is superior almost always to that of a quartz clock, the reason being one is hearing the actual sound of the hammers striking the chime rods, as opposed to the recording one hears on a quartz chiming clock.  This is true whether the clock in question is a grandfather clock, a grandmother clock, a mantel clock, or a wall clock.

Many times the features enhance the grandfather or wall or mantle clock, but they do not make the clock.  In our view this is true for all of the features that have been added over the last century.

If one asks the average clock shopper what are the very best brands of clocks out there historically, including grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, and wall clocks, the answers given will be all over the map.  Interestingly, though, one can be sure that much of the time one will here of Tiffany & Company as the best maker of clocks.

Well, Tiffany Clocks are an interesting place to start, especially when looking back over time and also including antique clocks.  Over time, and we honestly are not certain about today’s practices, but historically Tiffany never made there own grandfather clocks, wall clocks, mantel clocks, carriage clocks, cartel clocks, or even desk clocks.  The Company sourced out its clock making as well as Tiffany pocket watch making to different companies, generally all of whom were considered high-end.  Some early Tiffany Grandfather Clocks were actually made by the Waltham Clock and Watch Company, frequently unsigned by the actual maker.  Others we know of were made by Elliot of London, Herschede, Walter Durfee, and Winterhalder & Hoffmeier, among other.  Many mantel clocks were actually made by Japy Freres or Samuel Marti, among many others.  Pocket watches were made by companies as diverse as Patek Philippe, Longines, and the Concord Watch Company, all of excellent quality, though some would argue quality to varying degrees.  The older clocks were generally made in smaller groups, and to our knowledge Tiffany did not keep records of exactly what made whom when [note to Tiffany & Co. - please feel free to set the record straight by adding a comment or contacting us directly to adderess].  Our understanding is that they were also made in small groups.  And though the Tiffany name was-is proudly displayed on the clock, they were actually “only” the retailer of the clocks.

Not that this is-was a new practice.  In Britian in the 1800s, it was standard practice for many clock retailers, and many pocket watch makers as well, to put their own name of the dial of the clock, with varying practices about hopww much information did or did not go on the movement.  So there was no funny business going on here, simply carrying on a long-held tradition in the retailing industry!

What about other well known names like Cartier Clocks, Seth Thomas, Ingraham Clocks, Simon Willard Clocks and Aaron Willard Clocks, Howard Miller, Ridgeway Clocks, Hermle Clocks, Kieninger Clocks, Gustav Becker clocks, Leinzkirk clocks, Warren Telechron Clocks, General Electric, Self Winding Clock Company Clocks, E Howard and Company Clocks, and so many more.

It is interesting that the value of some antique clocks today may be a casualty opf the succcess and durability of particular manufacturers.  In particular we think of Seth Thomas, which made great clocks, is Amrerica’s oldest Clock Company, and was probably the most prolific.  However, because they made their clocks built to last, we believe their prices as collectibles have been severely tempered simply as a result of supply and demand.  There are still simply so many people out there with working Seth Thomas Clocks.

What about English clockmakers.  The list of great British clockmakers is too long to even begin to enumerate.  So we will take the cowardly way out and simply skip over this vast and rich subject and history.  Among German clocks, some of the clockmakers we like the best are Gustav Becker and Winterhalder & Hoffmeier.  It is important to note that we are glossing over many GREAT master clocksmiths who may have made the most fantastic clocks, but did so in smaller numbers.  The farther back one goes in history, the more true this is.  In England, just as an example of this one point J.W. Benson and Edward Dent (the creator of Big Ben) made clocks in vastly smaller numbers than more contemporary British makers, e.g. Elliot of London.

WHom do you think makes the best clocks?  Today, many would argue that Howard Miller Clocks and Hermle Clocks, along with Ridgeway Clocks and Kieninger, and Bulova Clocks are among the leaders.  And NOT coincidentally, these are among the brands that are featured and sold by 1-800-4CLOCKS.

Howard Miller Grandfather Clcoks have been the high-end market leader in grandfather clocks over the last generation.  The Ridgeway Grandfather Clock collection, Hermle Floor Clocks, Bulova Grandfather Clcoks, and Kieninger Grandfather Clocks, among others, all seem to have gained some traction in recent years. We believe they are all of excellent quality and worksmanship, with mostly all solid wood cases and high-end German 8 Day mechanical clocks movements.

The history of grandfather clocks and clock history in general will continue to evolve in the years and decades to come.

One interesting dunamic is the relatively recent flood of what we view as poorer quality imports from the Far East.  We fully expect to see some better quality and more competition in this area in the years to come.

We welcome your comments as to whom you would add to the best of clocks list.  Think of this as the beginning of time.