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ARTICLES AND REVIEWS
Buying Antique Clocks - Factors to Consider
There are many factors to consider when buying an antique clock, including:
• historical price information: knowing what similar clocks have sold for in the past may help you decide how much to pay.
• guarantees: does the seller offer any guarantees of authenticity, customer satisfaction or money back, offer of credit or time payments, or other enticements buy? You may decide it is worth it to pay a little more for a clock in exchange for guarantees or credit purchases.
• shipping or transportation costs: packing, shipping and insurance costs can add substantially to the price you pay for a clock. Be sure to consider any extra costs associated with your purchase when deciding how much to pay.
• the amount of time you have to buy the clock: if there is an urgent need or time limit to acquire the clock, you may decide to pay more than the lowest price possible.
• the value of your time: how long would it take to find a similar clock at a lower price? Perhaps it won’t make sense to spend another ten hours of comparison shopping just to save $25 or $50.
• a clock’s relative desirability or rarity for its class: it’s always more of a seller’s market for clocks that are considered rare or "hot" right now in the marketplace. You may have to pay a premium to get what you want if it is hard to find or commands a high price.
• a clock’s condition: a clock in excellent condition will sell for much more than the same clock in average or poor condition. An unrestored or unaltered, all-original, clock with its original case finish; a clock which has its maker’s label or signature intact; a clock with its original glass and decorative elements; a well-preserved, clean, working movement – all can increase the value of a clock considerably. Depending on your collecting goals, you may want to pay less for something in fair condition or more for something in excellent condition.
• a clock’s provenance: if the seller can prove that the clock belonged to a celebrity or someone of historical importance you may want to pay more for the clock.
• identifying marks: if a label, signature, or other marking can tie the clock to a well known clockmaker or manufacturer, you may decide it is worth paying more for that clock than for a similar clock without such documentation. Beware: reproductions of old clock labels can be purchased for a few dollars, signatures can be forged, labels can be switched, works from one clock can be "married" to a different case. Don’t be the victim of an unscrupulous dealer or unknowledgeable seller. Don’t rely only on verbal guarantees – get it in writing!
• resale value: obviously, if you are buying to resell a clock and want to make a profit, you will have to pay less than what you think you can sell it for.
Clocks by Howard Miller
Howard Miller Clock Company was founded in 1926. The company's founder, Howard C. Miller, was schooled in the fine art of clockmaking by his father, Herman, in the Black Forest region of Germany. Howard developed into a visionary whose keen sense of innovation spawned a tradition of excellence that has been uncompromised through three generations. While the early years focused on the manufacture of chiming wall and mantle clocks, Howard Miller also produced trend-setting avant garde clocks that stand today in collectors' galleries. During World War II, Howard Miller joined forces with the Ford Motor Co. to produce anti-aircraft covers. In the 1960's, the company turned its attention to grandfather clocks, eventually earning the company the title of "World's Largest Manufacturer of Grandfather Clocks."
While Howard Miller clocks might once have been primarily considered as gifts for weddings, anniversaries and retirements, the company's expanded collection is enticing more and more buyers who simply desire quality clocks in their homes and businesses-no occasion required. Today, with its sprawling facility in Zeeland, Michigan, Howard Miller offers hundreds of clocks to complement any decor. Indeed, their clock collection includes wall clocks, mantel clocks, tabletop clocks, desk, outdoor clocks, nautical clocks, anniversary clocks, atomic clocks, alarm clocks and grandfather clocks. Within the Howard Miller Collection, you'll also find many styles, such as chiming mechanical clocks, chiming quartz decorative clocks, oversized gallery models and wrought-iron.
Clocks by Hermle
Nearly 100 years ago, Franz Hermle began manufacturing and selling mechanical timepieces. In 1922, Franz Hermle founded the Franz Hermle Clock Company in Gosheim/Wuerttemberg, Germany. Within ten years the company became known as one of the most modern and efficient manufacturers of clock movements in the clock industry. Franz Hermle and his sons' dedication weathered the effects of WWII and made Franz Hermle and Sohn, prosper while other companies capitulated.
The founder, Franz Hermle, died in 1953 and left a modern and prosperous operation to his sons Gebhard, Alfred, Hans and Heinrich Hermle. They have continued to build the company into a worldwide leader in the manufacturing of fine timepieces and mechanical clock movements.
Now in its third generation, Franz Hermle and Sohn employs over 500 people in 4 locations in Germany and an additional manufacturing facility, Hermle Black Forest Clock, in Amherst, Virginia. Hermle exports their collection to more than 100 countries worldwide and are dedicated to leading the industry in computerized and automated precision manufactured clock parts and mechanical and quartz movements. The Hermle Clock Collection consists of wall clocks, grandfather clocks, tabletop clocks, desk, anniversary clocks and mantel clocks. Within their collection, you'll also find many styles such as chiming mechanical clocks, chiming quartz, skeleton, reproduction and decorative models.
Clocks by Ridgeway
Ridgeway Furniture Company began as The Gravely Furniture Company in 1926 and started producing grandfather clocks exclusively in 1960. This makes Ridgeway the oldest continuously produced grandfather clock brand in the United States. Tens of thousands of Ridgeway clocks since 1960 are part of American families' legacies to be handed down through generations. Ridgeway mechanical grandfather clocks are still crafted by American clockmakers. This insures that each clock is built correctly. With care you Ridgeway clocks will become the heirloom passed through generations of your family. Ridgeway is also an innovator of grandfather clocks. They not only offer the traditional 8-day mechanical chiming movements and dual chime quartz movements but also industry exclusives, such as the world's only clock that plays "God Bless America," "America the Beautiful" and traditional Westminster chimes. They also offer the industry's only synchronous grandfather clocks which do not need to be wound in their Never Wind collection. View our complete collection of Ridgeway wall clocks, grandfather clocks and mantel clocks. The Ridgeway collection includes many chiming mechanical clocks, chiming quartz styles, wrought-iron, gallery and decorative clocks.
Clocks by Sligh
Sligh Furniture Co. is a privately held company founded in 1880 and based in Holland, Michigan. Sligh designs, creates and markets prestigious wood home and business office furniture, home entertainment furniture and fine clocks. Sligh products are manufactured in six countries and sold throughout North America and many other countries. In 1968, then company president Bob Sligh and his brother Charlie acquired the Trend Clock Company for $1 and made it profitable within a year. Within ten years it was an important part of company sales. In the 1980's, the Trend name was dropped in favor of simply Sligh. View a selection of Sligh mantel clocks and grandfather clocks. Although Sligh has recently ended production on clocks, their collection included many chiming mechanical clocks, chiming quartz styles, wrought-iron, oversized gallery and decorative clocks.
Clocks by Alma Klokken
The Christiaan Huygens line of clocks are a limited production by the Dutch clock company, Alma Klokken, who are known for their authentic replicas of traditional Dutch clocks. Because of their limited production, models from the C. Huygens collection are highly sought after and become collectibles. Their line includes faithful reproduction wall clocks.
Clocks by Rombach and Haas
Rombach and Haas began producing Black Forest clocks in 1894 in Schonach/Schwarzwald, Germany. Schonach later became the center for cuckoo clock production in the Black Forest and has remained so to the present. In the beginning of the 20th century the company only produced wall clocks. Both World Wars temporarily brought production to a stop. However, over the years the company has gained a reputation for the production of high quality Black Forest clocks. Today, Ingolf Haas, the current owner of Rombach and Haas, and his wife, Connie Haas, produce many unique and extraordinary clocks.
Clocks by Comitti of London
For over 150 years, Comitti of London has been making the finest quality clocks and barometers. Onorato Comitti initially established his workshops in London as a maker of barometers and related instruments. In a very short time his beautiful products were gracing the homes of discerning customers. Yet it was not until the late Victorian period that the company diversified into clockmaking. Still, many of the styles made in these early days continue to be available today and they are recognized as English classics. The Comitti clock collection includes wall clocks, grandfather clocks, skeleton clocks and mantel clocks.
Clocks by K. Mozer
It was not until the restoration of the monarchy around 1660 and the invention of the pendulum in England a few years earlier that British clockmaking really took off. K. Mozer, LTD. of London, England continue this rich tradition with their exquisite line of mantel clocks. Indeed, many prominent figures have acquired a K. Mozer clock over the years, including Queen Elizabeth.
Clocks by Kieninger
In 1912 the Kieninger Clock Factory was founded in the Black Forest of Germany by Joseph Kieninger and his company has become the oldest existing manufacturer of mechanical clock movements for mantel, grandfather and wall clocks in the world. From its very beginning Kieninger has stayed with its traditional concept-the manufacture of technically advanced, high quality mechanical movements and clocks. This has proved successful and it is no surprise that today Kieninger is known for its craftsmanship and only the highest quality products. Kieninger clocks are noted among the classics of the industry and some have been or are even shown in famous clock museums. Experience Kieninger's masterpieces in German clock craft.
Clocks by Sternreiter
This United States company has been designing and crafting quality timepieces in the U.S. and Germany for fifty years. Some of their clock collection, which is now mostly assembled in the U.S., includes mantel clocks and wall clocks.
Cuckoo Clocks by Hekas
This Black Forest cuckoo clock company was founded in 1938 by Helmut Kammerer after having served an apprenticeship and acquiring the full professional qualification of clock-maker. Indeed, the origins of cuckoo clocks being made in the Black Forest go back as far as the middle of the 18th century. In fact, the first cuckoo clock has been said to have been built in 1750 by Franz Anton Ketterer of Schonwald.
Helmut Kammerer started making cuckoo clocks in his small German shop. Over the years, production facilities were enlarged step by step to the present extension of their factory. Now as before, carving must be done manually by skilled and experienced masters. Hekas guarantees that each cuckoo clock is hung up and rigorously inspected over a period of 12 to 24 hours before being packed for shipment. Hekas cuckoo clocks are also regularly exported into more than 50 countries in all parts of the world. Their line includes one-day cuckoos, one-day musical cuckoos, eight-day cuckoos and eight-day musical cuckoo clocks.
Cuckoo Clocks by Hubert Herr
Since the beginning of the 19th century, Hubert Herr has been crafting quality German cuckoo clocks. Starting in a small workshop, the company, now in its 5th generation, grew to a world known and leading manufacturer of quality cuckoo clocks. These Original Black Forest Cuckoos are all produced at the company's current location in Triberg/Black Forest, Germany and is the only facility making the movements, cases and carvings. Indeed, all of their cuckoo clocks are made of solid wood and are guaranteed hand-carved. Their line includes one-day cuckoo clocks, one-day musical cuckoos, eight-day cuckoos and eight-day musical cuckoo clocks.
Cuckoo Clocks by Harzer
Founded in 1948, Harzer's cuckoo clocks are made of select linden, pine and spruce woods at their German factory, which is nestled in the Harz mountains. The wood is naturally dried for at least five years before the manufacturing process begins. Experienced master carvers handcraft all cases and carvings and their factory is the only German one that also traditionally manufactures the cuckoo bellows. Each Harzer clock is tested for several days before it receives approval for shipment to more than 30 countries around the world.
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