Clocks Blog

Category: Contemporary & Modern Clocks

  • Howard Miller means Clocks Plus

    The Howard Miller Clock Company, as it had been formally organized for many years, has evolved from its origins. Some are aware that Howard Miller was the son of Herman Miller of Herman Miller Furniture fame, and Howard Miller started his career making clocks as part of a new Clock Division at Herman Miller. Eventually, Howard Miller moved just across the street in Zeeland Michigan, and started his own company, Howard Miller Clocks, to focus on the clock market specifically, to which he was most dedicated and enthusiastic.

    Almost 100 years later, both Herman Miller and Howard Miller live and thrive as companies still within the general framework of their founders. One fact worth noting is that Howard Miller Clocks still does much of its own manufacturing in the USA, allowing most of its

    grandfather clocks

    to sport the Made in USA logo. Seems especially worthy of not given this post is being written during the 2014 Winter Olympics.

    Howard Miller Clocks

    is probably best known for its historical domination of the high-end grandfather clock market. The cache with the Howard Miller clock name is undoubted, and many people gravitate to Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks because of the reputation and well-known and respected name, in addition to making the largest selection of high-end grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks in the market today. This is true whether you are looking at mechanical chiming grandfather clocks with Westminster Chimes or Triple Chimes, or a grandfather clock or grandmother clocks with special features such as automatic nighttime shutoff, illuminated dials, rotating moon phase dials, or lit cabinets. Tubular Chime grandfather clocks is one area where one of its competitors is gaining ground, with Hermle Clocks offering a nice selection of Tubular Chime Grandfather Clocks. Both Howard Miller Clocks and Hermle Clocks offer German Mechanical movements, with Howard Miller having Kieninger Grandfather Cl0ck movements and Hermle Grandfather Clocks having movements made by Hermle itself in its main German headquarters and manufacturing location. Kieninger, though owned by Howard Miller Clocks, is also a German company, and by itself offers a magnificent collection of

    German-made grandfather clocks. Interestingly, during this period in recent years, Hermle Clocks has also started to make some of its best high-quality Grandfather Clocks here in the USA, in its Amherst Virginia USA headquarters, warehouse and manufacturing location.

    The Howard Miller Clocks story has evolved, and in quite interesting ways. In addition to grandfather clocks, wall clocks, and mantel clocks, the company makes Television Consoles, Furniture and upholstery for the Home and institutional marketplace, Wine and Bar Furnishing. Clock Urns, Mirrors, and Home Storage units, just to name the main ones.

    Interestingly, and most likely on purpose, Howard Miller and Herman Miller today still do not overlap in any meaningful way in their offerings.

    Howard Miller seems to be transforming itself into a Lifestyle Brand. The new Howard Miller Logo with the words Enhancing Life at Home™, shows the transformation the grandfather clock wall clock, and mantel clock industry giant is successfully making.

    Howard Miller Clocks is Evolving into a Lifestyle Brand

    · © 2014 ClocksBlog.com and 1-800-4CLOCKS

  • News for Clocks

    Clocks of all kinds, including

    grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks, have been top of mind in news reporting in recent weeks. Just today we read an article about the Affordable Healthcare Clock, presumably referencing the time remaining both the have the recent and some still current website glitches fixed by the end of November at the latest, as scheduled, to the same clock countdown news notion being applied to people having only a certain time window to apply and be registered with an Affordable Health Care Insurance Policy, more commonly known as

    ObamaCare, before they risk losing their coverage entirely. The people perhaps most concerned and susceptible to “getting lost” in the system, many of whom may be grandparents and even own their own grandfather clock, are those with pre-existing conditions which either would have made them not eligible for any health insurance in many cases, to those who may be somewhat to very ill, and are either currently covered but their insurance may be canceled, or are currently covered but may want to take advantage of policies which may have overall better coverage, and possibly at less cost, particularly in many instances when government subsidies may kick in for those individuals. These individuals may (or in many cases may not) be the least able to fend for themselves, and have the most to gain or lose by having everything fall in place in time so they will miss no deadlines. In other clock news, just today President Obama formally apologized to the American people for having, we believe in good faith, telling Americans that if you like your existing policy and existing doctor, you can keep them. The main reason that fell by the wayside is that insurance companies, rather than perhaps rejiggering policies which did not meet the minimum standards of the Affordable Health Care Act, by and large it seems they simply canceled those policies. Some no doubt may be worse off, and many no doubt will be better off, and all no doubt will have better coverage than they had before should the “unthinkable” happen to them. As the clocks count down, the Country will hopefully set it with an alarm so that people will realize that with so many more covered with insurance, and with fewer visits being necessary to Emergency Rooms for the uninsured, along with about 100 other factors, more people will have many fewer financial and health care risks, more people will have coverage and better coverage, and overall we should continue to see a continuing slowdown in the rise of healthcare costs, which assuming the quality is the same or better, can and will make a tremendous difference to the state of the USA economy and our longer-term competitiveness.

    Should we be calling this Health News for Clocks, or perhaps Grandfather Clocks Health News.

    Clocks and counting down have played a big role in other countdowns. There was the pre Government Shutdown Countdown. Then there was the timer clock for How Long the USA Government had been shut down. There was the Ohio Grandfather Clock outside the US Capitol Senate assembly room, in the Ohio Corridor of the Senate Building section, which stopped suddenly and mysteriously during the Government shutdown.

    Now everyone is counting everything, including using clocks and timers and counters and countdowns to measure:

    Number and types of problems with website for Affordable Care Act.

    Number of days until everything, or mostly everything, should be fixed.

    Numbers of people who have successfully signed up for this new health insurance — not only on Day 1 but week 1, week 2 and on and on.

    Numbers of people who have visited, with a count by type of problem encountered.

    How these numbers may effect midterm elections for the House and Senate.

    We could keep going for hours.

    This started as a post of News for Clocks, so here is more. It was reported just today that the US Economy clocked an impressive 2.8% growth in GDP, significantly higher than expected, in the 3rd Quarter. Great clock news! With the Senate passage also just today of the Employment Nondiscrimination Act (ENDA), Anti-gay bigots are getting their clocks cleaned! A not too cynical interpretation of today’s events and prior history would be that Democrats and Republicans both made clear that they agree on something significant: Gay rights are currently a winning issue for Democrats and a losing one for the GOP.

    One thing is for sure whether we are talking wall clocks or grandfather clocks or mantel clocks, which is don’t count out the clocks factor. Clocks and time immortal even made there appearance this past weekend with Daylight Savings Time (DST), where we all had to move our clocks back an hour, it being the Fall Season.

    Health Alarm Clock Built In to All of Us

    Health alarm clock built into all of us

    · © 2013 ClocksBlog.com and 1-800-4CLOCKS

  • Vintage Clocks

    Yes 1-800-4CLOCKS.com is an

    Authorized Howard Miller Dealer, which is the only kind of Dealer you want to shop with when looking not only for the greatest selection and savings, but also peace of mind, whether you are looking at discount Howard Miller

    Grandfather Clocks, Howard Miller Wall Clocks on sale, miller mantel clocks, Howard Miller Atomic Clocks, and any other clock or curio cabinet made by Howard Miller.

    Unfortunately, the internet including

    eBay and Amazon, is littered with Sellers posing to be authorized dealers of Howard Miller products, but many are not. This means not only are you risking not getting the grandfather clock you ordered, or one of the many counterfeit grandfather clocks out there, but you will also risk getting stuck in the grandfather clock arrives with ANY damage, not to mention a clock customer can forget about having a valid warranty. As Howard Miller Clocks displays all over its website, All warranties are null and void if product is purchased from an UNAUTHORIZED internet dealer. Additionally, Howard Miller points out an authorized dealer can provide valuable, personal service to you after your purchase such as in-home delivery, set-up, and deluxing the product when necessary.

    Many grandfather clock shoppers face similar questions and issues if they are considering buying a used vs. new grandfather clock. The best analogy we can use is in purchasing a used car. You truly need to know what grandfather clock you are getting, or you may find yourself stuck with a world-class lemon, which is also a money pit, and may even need to be junked entirely. Good maintenance on a grandfather clock is critical to its longer term health, not only for the grandfather clock case, but also for the grandfather clock movement strike and chimes. Interestingly, one of the biggest problems plaguing the used auto market, which is cars which have suffered from flooding or water damage, can very much apply to a grandfather clock, including its case and mechanical movement, as well.

    When one buys a new clock from an Authorized Dealer, such as a Howard Miller Grandfather Clock, it will come with a Manufacturer’s warranty on parts and workmanship of 2 years. We at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com will frequently add a 3rd year of coverage for minimal and sometimes no additional costs.

    Hermle Grandfather Clocks, when sold from an Authorized Dealer like us, come standard with a 3 Year Warranty. And Americana Grandfather Clocks, which are also of the highest quality, and for whom we are also an Authorized Dealer, come with a 4 Year Manufacturer’s Warranty. Always check out our Kieninger Clocks, including Kieninger Grandfather Clocks, warranties and sale. We are happy to discuss the relevance of this, and to talk with prospective customers about both possibilities and implications for grandfather clock purchases for those grandfather clock shoppers who are always searching the web for grandfather clock discounts, grandfather clock coupons, and the like.

    We are always just a phone call away at 1-800-4CLOCKS.

    All Warranties are null and unless purchased from AUTHORIZED Howard Miller Clocks Dealer

    · © 2013 ClocksBlog.com and 1-800-4CLOCKS

  • Howard Miller Atomic Clocks

    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, telluriums, 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.

    Clockes History – Look and Learn. Clockes is plural of Clocke.

    · © 2013 ClocksBlog.com and 1-800-4CLOCKS

  • Contemporary Grandfather Clocks

    Contemporary Grandfather Clocks reinterpret the traditional tall clock for modern interiors. Instead of relying exclusively on the familiar carved wooden cabinet and antique-inspired details, contemporary grandfather clocks can use clean lines, open structures, extensive glass, metal accents and visible mechanical components as important parts of the design.

    The result can still be unmistakably a grandfather clock or floor clock: tall, freestanding and visually substantial, often with a pendulum, weights and mechanical movement. What changes is the way those traditional clockmaking elements are presented.

    What Makes a Grandfather Clock Contemporary?

    There is no single feature that makes a grandfather clock contemporary. The distinction usually comes from the overall design rather than the basic function of the clock.

    A contemporary clock may use a simplified cabinet with fewer ornamental details, a more geometric shape, larger areas of glass or an open framework that exposes components traditionally hidden inside a wooden case. Dials, pendulums and weights can become prominent design elements rather than merely functional parts.

    This makes contemporary grandfather clocks especially interesting because modern styling does not necessarily require abandoning traditional mechanical clockmaking.

    Grandfather Clocks, Floor Clocks and Modern Terminology

    The terms Grandfather Clock and Floor Clock overlap substantially. A contemporary tall clock may be described by either name depending upon the manufacturer, retailer or customer.

    “Floor clock” can sometimes seem particularly appropriate for modern designs that look very different from the traditional image associated with the words grandfather clock. Nevertheless, a tall mechanical clock with a pendulum and weights can retain the fundamental character of a grandfather clock even when its cabinet has been radically simplified.

    Our broader Floor Clocks guide covers traditional and contemporary clocks together, including terminology, movements, chimes, dimensions and general selection considerations.

    Open and Minimalist Clock Designs

    Traditional tall-clock cabinets often enclose much of the mechanism within a substantial wooden case. Contemporary designs can take the opposite approach by removing visual mass and making the working parts of the clock easier to see.

    An open design can emphasize the pendulum’s motion, the suspended weights and the architecture of the movement. Glass panels or nearly transparent cases can allow the clock to occupy significant vertical space without appearing as visually heavy as a conventional wooden cabinet.

    Minimalist designs may also reduce decorative moldings, columns and elaborate crowns in favor of straight lines and simpler geometric forms.

    Wood, Glass and Metal

    Contemporary grandfather clocks are not necessarily made from unconventional materials. Wood remains important, but it may be combined with glass and metal in ways that create a distinctly modern appearance.

    A dark or light wood finish, a narrow case profile, large glass areas and contrasting metal components can dramatically change the character of a tall clock. In other designs, the supporting structure may become deliberately understated so that the dial, movement, pendulum and weights dominate the appearance.

    Because these clocks are large enough to function as furniture, materials and finishes should be considered in relation to the entire room rather than in isolation.

    Mechanical Movements in Contemporary Grandfather Clocks

    Contemporary styling and traditional mechanical operation are entirely compatible. A modern-looking grandfather clock can still use a weight-driven mechanical movement regulated by a pendulum.

    Depending upon the particular clock, mechanical features can include chain or cable drive, chiming mechanisms, moon-phase or other dial displays, nighttime chime controls and approximately weekly winding.

    In an open contemporary design, these mechanical elements can have an additional purpose: they become part of the visual experience. Watching the pendulum move and seeing the weights and movement can be especially striking when they are not surrounded by a heavily enclosed cabinet.

    Contemporary Grandfather Clock Chimes

    Modern appearance does not mean that traditional chimes have disappeared. Contemporary mechanical grandfather clocks can incorporate familiar chiming arrangements, including Westminster and, depending upon the movement, additional melodies.

    The sound of the clock should be considered along with its appearance. Features such as nighttime shutoff can be particularly useful when a chiming floor clock is placed near bedrooms or in a frequently occupied living area.

    For clocks offering multiple melodies or specialized chime systems, the movement specification is more informative than the external styling. Two clocks that look equally modern may have very different mechanical and acoustic characteristics.

    Contemporary Grandfather Clocks in Modern Interiors

    A contemporary grandfather clock can provide a strong vertical focal point without requiring a traditionally furnished room. Clean-lined clocks can work with modern furniture, open floor plans and interiors where an ornate antique-style cabinet might seem visually out of place.

    Placement remains important. Even a visually light or transparent clock occupies real floor space. Height, width and depth should be measured carefully, along with clearance for doors, access panels, winding and normal maintenance.

    Glass and open designs also make the surroundings more visible through the clock, which can cause placement and background to influence its appearance more strongly than with an enclosed wooden cabinet.

    Traditional Versus Contemporary Grandfather Clocks

    The choice between traditional and contemporary styling is not necessarily a choice between old and new clockmaking technology. Both designs can contain modern-production mechanical movements, and both can offer traditional pendulum, weight and chime functions.

    The principal difference is often visual. Traditional clocks tend to emphasize cabinetry and historical furniture forms. Contemporary clocks can emphasize structure, geometry, glass, metal and the mechanism itself.

    For shoppers who appreciate mechanical clockmaking but prefer modern furniture and architecture, contemporary grandfather clocks provide a way to combine those interests.

    Hermle Contemporary Floor and Grandfather Clocks

    Hermle is particularly relevant to the contemporary mechanical floor-clock market because its clock range has included both traditional and modern designs while the company continues to manufacture mechanical clock movements.

    Our Hermle Floor Clocks guide focuses on Hermle cabinet styles, dimensions and placement, while our Hermle Grandfather Clocks guide looks more closely at mechanical movements, chimes and operating features.

    Choosing a Contemporary Grandfather Clock

    Start by considering the room and the visual role the clock should play. Some contemporary clocks are deliberately dramatic and make the mechanism a centerpiece. Others use restrained styling intended to integrate quietly with modern furnishings.

    Then compare dimensions, cabinet or frame construction, movement type, winding method, chimes and operating features. A clock’s contemporary appearance should not obscure the practical differences between mechanical movements and other forms of timekeeping.

    Contemporary Grandfather Clocks demonstrate that the tall mechanical clock does not have to remain visually tied to the past. Modern design can change the cabinet dramatically while preserving the pendulum, weights, movement and presence that have made grandfather and floor clocks distinctive for generations.

    · © 2012 ClocksBlog.com and 1-800-4CLOCKS

  • Grandfather Clocks Information

    Are you trying to identify the age of you antique grandfather clock. Do you have the serial number for one of your

    Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks

    and want to know the year it was made? Same situation with a Ridgeway Grandfather or Floor Clock or one of the Hermle Grandfather Clocks or a Kieninger Grandfather Clock or Grandmother Clock?

    What if you see no markings on your grandfather clock. Are you looking only at the grandfather clocks dial or face, or are you also examining the back of the grandfather clock movement. These are the best two places to begin your search.

    Many grandfather clocks will have a mechanical grandfather clock movement made by one company and mark as such of the grandfather clock movement, such as a movement made by Hermle Clocks or Urgos or Kieninger Clocks, while the clock may have been made by another company that purchased their movements, such as Howard Miller Clocks or Ridgeway Clocks. The movement suppliers to many brands changed over many tears.

    Additionally, one may find the name of the Retailer on the Grandfather Clock dial, which does not necessarily tell you anything about who made the clock case or movement. Tiffany and Company, as an example, sold grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, wall clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches that were made to order by Tiffany for Tiffany, frequently in small lots, with little if any made by Tiffany. From tubular chime grandfather clocks made by Walter Durfee in the late 1800s to some made by the Waltham Watch and Clock Company for Tiffany, the only name showing on the dial is Tiffany. The maker name may or in some cases will not be shown on the dial. Chelsea Clocks, Japy Freres, and Jaeger Lecoutre are 3 of a hundreds of clock makers who made and supplied clocks with the Tiffany name on the dial. This was also true of pocket watches and wristwatches, and suppliers included Jaeger Lecoutre, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Omega, Vacheron Constantin, Movado, Tissot and hundreds of others timepiece makers. High end jewelry store and timepiece retailers like J E Caldwell, Cartier, Bailey Biddle Banks, and Black Starr Frost have also followed this convention for many of the timepieces they have sold, both clocks and watches, including wristwatches and pocket watches, and of course grandfather clocks.

    The best place to start when trying to identify the maker and model and history or date of production of a grandfather clock is the dial or face of the grandfather clocks. If it says Howard Miller or Ridgeway or Kieninger or Hermle, as examples, on it, you have your answer right there as to the maker of the clock. As noted above, if the name on the grandfather clock is a retailer, and it could even be something like an Ethan Allen grandfather clock, the search or identification path may be more cumbersome or problematic. In addition, many names of the dials on clocks are of grandfather clock makers, some who made great clocks but do no longer, like Sligh Grandfather Clocks, Bulova Grandfather Clocks (Bulova still makes mantle clocks and wall clocks, and of course wristwatches, all of which we carry and for who we are an Authorized Dealer), Pearl Grandfather Clocks, Trend Grandfather Clocks and the list goes on and on, especially when including antique grandfather clocks.

    If you are interested in finding out the history of your antique grandfather clock, aside from searching the web generally, we would recommend both Antique Clocks Price Guide dot com and the Library at the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, whose website is nawcc dot org. NAWCC does free research for members, and they will research for a fee if you are not a member. While they will research the history of the clock and its maker to the extent they can, they will not, b policy, address the value or worth of the clock.

    Many people own clocks that were made from Grandfather Clock Kits or from grandfather clock plans. These will each have a unique history, and may be difficult to track down other than through original owners or those to whom it was passed on to. Some of the kit makers included Emperor Clock Company, Mason and Sullivan, and Kuempel Chime Clock Works, which made super high quality grandfather clock kits, yet unfortunately and sadly went out of business after the untimely death of its owner.

    Dating the clocks by the movement numbers is an inexact science at best depending especially upon the manufacturer. Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks can be dated by calling Howard Miller, whose website is HowardMiller dot com, and providing them with the serial number. Howard Miller even has recently added a feature to the above noted website where you can look up what the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail price, also known as MSRP, if you input the 6 digit grandfather clock model number. Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks have another story. Even though they are in the last ten or so years the same company as Howard Miller, having been acquired by Howard Miller Clocks, records older than 10 years or so for the Serial Numbers for Ridgeway Clocks were apparently lost or destroyed in a fire or flood or in a move or some such thing. A serial number for a older Ridgeway Clock will not help you to date it.

    Additionally, while many people will point to the markings on the back of the grandfather clocks movements, they may simply reflect the specs for that particular clocks movement, not a serial number, even though it may appear it might be. Hermle Grandfather Clocks, and Hermle Clock movements, have not historically had serial numbers on their grandfather clocks, or wall clocks or mantel clocks for that matter.

    Some makers, like Chelsea Clocks, have been very good about keeping the serial numbers of their clocks documented and accessible. Some of the Chelsea clock movements have in fact been used as movements in grandfather clocks over the years. Atmos Clocks are another example of a clock that has good and accessible records to look up the age of production of the clock based on the serial number.

    Antique grandfather clocks, as well as antique floor clocks and antique grandmother clocks, may best be researched by the nawcc organization noted above, or by a serious horologist who knows antique clocks. A good Google search and a look at the Antique Clocks Price Guide is also always advisable. Google Images too for that matter for identifying grandfather clocks.

    There is of course the issue of counterfeit clocks, reproductions clocks, and grandfather clocks that are not all original to each other, known in the industry as a clock marriage. These are completely separate yet critical issues in researching your grandfather clocks value and worth.

    Museum reproductions are fantastic, as long as the grandfather clocks customer is aware it is not the Original

    · © 2012 ClocksBlog.com and 1-800-4CLOCKS

  • Contemporary Floor Clocks

    Floor Clocks

    include grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks. Some high-end makers, such as

    Howard Miller Clocks, Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, Hermle Grandfather Clock Collection and even Kieninger Clocks seem to prefer to use the floor clock definition or nomenclature compared to a grandmother clock or a grandfather clock.

    Having said that, new Contemporary Floor Clocks and contemporary grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks, are introduced over time by many of the leading grandfather clock makers. We are always open to new designs and new ideas for contemporary grandfather clocks, and have even thought of having a floor clock or grandfather clock design competition for contemporary floor clocks. One key question is what would make a floor clock or grandfather clock design a winner? How many floor clocks of that design we sell would be a popularity measure, but it is a lagging measure and the floor clock design award would have to be bestowed after many clocks were made. Artistic originality for a floor clock design might work, but we don’t want an artistic

    modern floor clock

    with, for example, a preserved shark in a clear glass container which is reminiscent of some recent art design awards of note. We will not name the names of any artist here, as we may not being doing him/her artistic due or justice.

    While most traditional floor clocks are made of wood cases, it is probably fair to say that many of the metal or metallic designs might be considered contemporary floor clocks. Yet some wooden case clocks, usually featuring and incorporating unusual glass designs, would also definitely be classified by most all as contemporary.

    Clock chimes on contemporary floor clocks or grandfather clocks may well be different from or add to the most commonly known Westminster Chimes, of Big Ben Tower Clock fame, as some newer movements have Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and Schubert’s Ave Maria incorporated into their mechanical cable driven grandfather clock movements. This is different from the antique grandfather clocks which frequently were strike only, or the addition of the Whittington and St Michaels chimes most commonly found on many of the triple chime grandfather clocks made in more recent years.

    Contemporary Floor Clocks, depending upon the definition of contemporary, also include newer features like automatic night-time shutoff, illuminated cabinets, and even illuminated dials on some models. We believe we will start to see Atomic Grandfather Clocks and Atomic time Floor Clocks in the very near future as the technology becomes more and more popular. We are still waiting for digital grandfather clocks and digital floor clocks.

    Here below are several examples of contemporary floor clocks, and contemporary grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks as well. Feel free to add floor clock contemporary design suggestions.

    Hermle Single Chime Nantes Grandfather Clock

    List: $15,573.00

    SALE: $10,122.00

    Hermle Single Chime Parkhurst Grandfather Clock

    List: $7,836.00

    SALE: $5,093.00

    Americana Indio Grandfather Clock

    List: $4,182.00

    SALE: $3,136.50

    Americana Savanna Grandfather Clock

    List: $4,510.00

    SALE: $3,382.50

    Howard Miller Arendal Grandfather Clock

    List: $4,446.00

    SALE: $3,112.20

    · © 2012 ClocksBlog.com and 1-800-4CLOCKS

  • Floor Clock Value for Money Spent

    If you are in the market for a new Howard Miller grandfather clock, or one of the new Hermle floor clocks or grandmother clocks, you already know that you want to buy one of the quality built grandfather clocks brands. Same is true for Ridgeway Clocks, Kieninger Grandfather Clocks, and the Americana Grandfather Clock Collection, among other Floor Clocks makers.

    What sets these grandfather clock brands apart is quality inside and outside, with solid wood cases, and movements that are high quality, made in Germany, are truly

    heirloom quality floor clocks, and with proper care should last for 25 to 50 to 100 plus years. Each of the floor clock brands has many cases and features and movement differences that differentiate not only the clocks between the brands but also the clocks within each brand.

    We are always pleased to talk with prospective customers who visit us or call us at 1-800-4clocks.com, to discuss the pros and cons between all the different models and brands. Features such as triple chime vs single Westminster Chime floor clocks, alternative chimes such as the Ave Maria and Ode to Joy, working vs faux moon phase dials, chain driven vs cable driven vs quartz driven grandfather clock movements, atomic time advantages, automatic nighttime shut-off, chime silence options, grandfather clocks vs grandmother clocks, Herman Miller vs Howard Miller, new vs vintage and antique purchases, grandfather clock setup, questions about the volume of the grandfather clock tick, strike and chimes. Differences between grandfather clock cases, how the clocks are constructed, pros and cons of a

    grandfather clock kit, and the decision as to whether to consider some of the cheapest clocks sold today that well, may, look very good in the pictures, but it’s another story once you get it home.

    Like most big decisions in life, doing the leg work or homework can make all the difference between buying an albatross or buying a quality family heirloom floor clock that one can pass from generation to generation.

    · © 2012 ClocksBlog.com and 1-800-4CLOCKS

  • Floor Clocks Grandfather Clocks

    When you are shopping online or at a specialty grandfather clock or floor clocks retailer, or even one of the major department stores, many individuals are thrown for a loop by the nomenclature regarding grandfather clocks. A grandfather clock is pretty much synonymous with a floor clock, except that a floor clock could also include a grandmother clock, or pretty much and free-standing clock whether

    chiming

    or not and whether water is flowing through it or not.

    As far as we can tell, the term floor clock was really popularized by the Howard Miller Clock Company, and to this day they refer to most of their

    grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks

    as Floor Clocks. This differs from the historical perspective when in England and Western Europe clocks were known as tall case clocks or longcase clocks, only to become known years later in the USA as grandfather clocks because of Henry Work Clay’s incredibly popular Grandfather Clock song, which was such a hit that most everyone, at least in the USA, started referring to longcase and tallcase clocks as grandfather clocks.

    When thinking about a free-standing clock, it sounds odd to us to talk about a mechanical westminster chime floor clock instead of a mechanical westminster chime grandfather clock. We have not seen any studies on what percent of grandfather clock shoppers are familiar with or favor one clock term over the other to describe grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks. Grandmother clocks, by the way, are essentially simply shorter version of grandfather clocks, with varying definitions with we at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com generally favoring about 82 inches in height as the defining factor. But like so many things in life, not only will we make exceptions to this clocks description and definition but one will find experts who will have 20 different opinions and definitions.

    Free standing regulators are another type of grandfather clock, and generally refer to clocks with weight driven movements that tend to be higher precision in timekeeping.

    Chimes on floor clocks include the most popular, the Westminster Chime as played by Big Ben in London, but many also include as an addition or alternative the Ave Maria Chime or the Ode to Joy chime, in addition to the classic St Michaels Chime and Whittington chime. While perhaps not thought of as in quite the same grandfather clock chime category, there is also the bim bam chime, which plays of 2 notes only, and plays on the half hour, whereas the others when they play on other than the hour usually chime every quarter hour. The Bim Bam chime will generally gong every hour to count out the time, such as 8 gongs for 8 o’clock, and then will play its bim bam 2 note chime once every half-hour. Many collectors especially enjoy the bim bam chime, and it is seen on many antique grandfather clocks, antique wall clocks, and antique mantel clocks.

    Hermle Clocks also refers to its grandfather clocks mostly as floor clocks, as do Ridgeway Clocks and Kieninger Clocks as well in many instances.

    Do you have a preference for one clock term over the other? Are the terms grandfather clock and floor clock interchangeable as far as you are concerned? Please let us know your thoughts.

    Howard Miller Cascade Grandfather Clock model 615058 615-058

    Howard Miller Cascade Grandfather Clock

    model 615058 615058

    Would you call this a Fountain Clock, a Waterfall clock, a Water Fountain Clock, a Grandfather Clock Fountain, or a Floor Fountain or Floor Waterfall Clock?

    Howard Miller Cascade grandfather clock model 615-058

    · © 2012 ClocksBlog.com and 1-800-4CLOCKS

  • Famous Wall Clocks

    What are some of the world’s most famous

    wall clocks? Well, we asked that question of many of our grandfather clocks and mantel clocks and wall clock customers who were shopping for both new and antique clocks.

    Somewhat surprisingly, at least to us, almost all answers related to modern day brands and makers, and clocks other than wall clocks, such as grandfather grandmother and mantel clocks frequently became part of the answer. Howard Miller Clocks, which makes not only their own branded wall clocks, but also Howard Miller

    Grandfather Clocks

    and Howard Miller Mantel and Atomic Clocks, seems to be the most recognized and respected high-end maker in today’s clocks marketplace. As some readers may know, Howard Miller, who founded Howard Miller Clocks almost 100 years ago, was the son of Herman Miller, the legendary maker of furniture targeting the office marketplace, synonymous for some with names like Eames and George Nelson, and still highly sought after today both as new furniture and highly collectible vintage and older pieces. What few know is that Howard Miller started his career at Herman Miller making Herman Miller branded clocks, including mantel clocks, wall clocks, and grandfather clocks. While still reasonably young, because Howard Miller became so enamored of clocks, he decided to start his own company literally just across the street from Herman Miller in Zeeland Michigan, and to this very day, both companies still exist as separate entities across the street from one another some 80 plus years later. A lot of grandfather clocks have chimed during this period, playing the Westminster Chime, Whittington Chime and St Michaels chimes.

    While Howard Miller was by far the most popular single answer, it was by no means the only one. Perhaps because of our historical roots as a store in New York’s Grand Central Station, some people said whoever that company was that made the four sided clock that sits on top of the Information Center in Grand Central. Almost no one knew that this masterpiece was made the the New York based Self Winding Clock Company, and the inside movement for that particular clock was made to spec by Seth Thomas Clocks. The Self Winding Clock Company of New York has been out of business for many years, but since they made so many spectacular clocks, their work and name lives on in clocks, particularly wall clocks, especially train station clocks and double sided clocks and gallery wall clocks, and a few grandfather clocks, around many parts of the world.

    Hermle Clocks was another name that came up a lot, although quite interestingly, people more often mispronounced the name of this great German clock company which has a history of at least 150 years. Hermle not only makes its wall clocks, but also makes its amazing Hermle Grandfather Clocks, Hermle Grandmother Clocks, and Hermle mantel clocks. Hermle Clocks is also known, along with Kieninger Clocks, as one of the last two remaining high-end mechanical movement manufacturers left in the world that makes mechanical movements in any larger quantity.

    Seth Thomas Clocks is another name that was mentioned often, and this maker must have over 100,000 working Seth Thomas Clocks of all types over the last 150 years, including grandfather, wall and mantel clocks, and atomic clocks in more recent years. Sadly, for at least the last couple of years, Seth Thomas Clocks has effectively been out of business or at least not making any clocks or employing people in any quantity other than at most administrative. We believe that because the Seth Thomas name, and its great reputation both in general and as America’s oldest clock company, that the company will come back into existence and into its own under new ownership in the not too distant future.

    Ridgeway Clocks, though known primarily as a maker of grandfather clocks, also comes up as an answer to who makes the best and most famous wall clocks. Ridgeway Clocks was in fact acquired by Howard Miller Clocks about 10 years ago. And for the last 8 or so years, all Ridgeway Clocks, including Ridgeway’s most famous grandfather clocks, have been made in the same places that Howard Miller clocks and Howard Miller grandfather clocks have been made. All of the grandfather clocks made by Ridgeway and Howard Miller have the same movements, with all the mechanical movements in more recent years having been made by Kieninger Clocks. Even more recently, the same people who design Howard Miller Clocks have been designing Ridgeway Clocks. And when one hears the Westminster Chime being played on a Ridgeway Grandfather Clock, it will sound identical, because comparable models will have the same movement, to a Howard Miller Grandfather Clock.

    Bulova Clocks did get some mentions, but most all people still think primarily of their high quality watches if they do not somehow have firsthand knowledge of their clocks offerings.

    So you have a favorite antique wall clock? We know some of ours would include the German made Gustav Becker clocks, the J W Benson Fusee wall clocks made in England, E Howard regulator clocks, not to mention the Tiffany wall clocks, which were made in small lots for individual designs, and by many different high-end makers, including A D Mougin and Japy Freres of France, among many, many others. Schneider cuckoo clocks, still made today, come to mind as well. We could go on and on here, but we would like to hear from you.

    Famous Clock atop Information Booth at New York’s Grand Central Station (courtesy iStock photo)

    Four-sided Grand Central Station clock

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