Heirloom Clocks

Quality clocks have always been an expensive acquisition, and very coveted ones at that. Clocks often come into a family at the time of marriage, or as gifts at some other milestone in the family history, such as a birth. For this reason, clocks are often passed down from generation-to-generation, not just as symbols of wealth and prosperity, but also carrying with them sentimental stories for generations to come.

Creating Heirloom Clocks
With these facts in mind, many young families of today, if they do not already have an heirloom clock, often plan to create one. Sometimes they choose with an eye on the history of their family-where in the world they came from, and what were their professions (nautical, for example, would warrant a maritime clock). Others recognize their wonderful freedom of choice and simply go for the most beautiful clock they can find.

All kinds of styles are examples of potential heirloom clocks; carriage clocks, grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, cuckoo clocks and so on. Clocks are in such demand today-perhaps more than they ever were-that companies that specialize in reproduction and high quality clocks are doing extremely good business. Everyone wants an heirloom clock.

Your Heirloom Clock
If you are thinking of creating an heirloom clock for your family, why not have the best of both worlds. You might take into consideration the predominant nationality of your ancestors, and then choose a style that is synonymous with that part of the world (for Germany it would be cuckoo clocks of course). You will not be restricted, whatever you decide. As far as heirloom clocks are concerned, the world is our oyster.

Maritime Clocks

Maritime clocks, also called nautical clocks and marine chronometers, were the most accurate clocks of their day. They had to be because seamen used them for navigation purposes. Longitude cannot be set unless there is an accurate source of timekeeping. Their use has now been superceded by atomic clocks, which are infinitely more accurate, but the popularity of maritime clocks lives on because they are simply so attractive.

The Maritime Clock Lives On
They are so popular that the best modern clockmakers, such as Ridgeway and Howard Miller Clocks, produce modern reproductions of original designs. They are generally not too large in size, and though they're nearly always made of brass, they are inexpensive when compared to other types of collectible clocks, such as carriage clocks or grandfather clocks.

The Link With Pendulum Clocks
Christian Huygens, the inventor of the pendulum clock, was also the person who attempted to solve the problem of establishing longitude at sea by constructing a durable, accurate timepiece for purposes of marine navigation. He worked in collaboration with Alexander Bruce and between 1662 and 1665 Bruce organized and supervised sea trials of their invention. Originally, two clocks hung side-by-side were required for the job. This posed a solution to the obvious problems if one clock stopped or had to be cleaned. There is always safety in numbers!

Nautical Clocks

Before the invention of the atomic clock, nautical clocks were what seamen relied upon for navigation purposes. Accurate clocks were needed to measure longitude. Clocks that can do this are also called maritime chronometers. They are mostly twenty-four hour analog clocks (analog clocks are those that have an hour and a minute hand.

Forerunners of the Nautical Clock
The Arabian astrolabe was another forerunner of the twenty-four hour clock. The Arabs began to add gears to their clocks in the eighth century, and these were the first mechanical clocks. The astrolabe was a model of the solar system so it counted twenty-four hours rather than twelve.

A maritime clock would indicate periods of high tide and low tide as well as positions of the moon and stars. Sometimes a barometer was included in the face along with a thermometer, as temperature and atmospheric pressure are important to seamen. Sometimes, the barometer would not be part of the same unit, but would be offered as a twin piece with the maritime clock, having an identical case. Maritime clocks were nearly always made of brass for better durability, and are nowadays valued as part of a "nautical look" decorating scheme.

Wall Clocks

Most of us think of wall clocks as being a modern invention, but in fact there are plenty of antique wall clocks to be found. They have been around for hundreds of years. There is a breathtaking assortment of wall clocks from all over the world. Popular because they don't take up table space and can be hung safely away from mischievous hands, these clocks can grace any home, no matter what its style.

All Types of Wall Clocks
Some wall clocks are also pendulum clocks, and some are very ornate. Cuckoo clocks are a type of wall clock. An English wall clock used to be called so for no other reason than it was made in England, but nowadays an English wall clock could be made anywhere-the name has come to refer to the style.
Usually made of wood, these clocks can also be made of brass, marble or even papier-maché. Some of the most beautiful examples of wall clocks are inlaid with mother of pearl or exotic woods. Some wall clocks are made of quite modest wood, such as pine or deal, but are painted so exquisitely that they are much sought after by interior decorators.

Mass Production
Clocks to be hung on the wall became very popular in the early twentieth century, when many of them were mass produced. They included the first electrical clocks. Nowadays wall clocks are often made of plastic made to look like a variety of different materials, and are mass produced in Japan and China for sale all over the world. Unlike their now-precious predecessors, modern wall clocks are generally a very cheap addition to the home.

Cuckoo Clocks

Originating in Germany and Austria, particularly the Black Forest region, Cuckoo clocks are extremely popular worldwide. They are famous for their pendulums and the bird or birds that pop out of the clock face every hour on the hour—or more. They are usually made of wood and elaborately carved. They may be painted to accentuate the carving.

History
The first Black Forest Cuckoo Clock was designed and made by Franz Anton Ketterer in the small village of Schönwald near Triberg, Germany, nearly two hundred years ago. He reproduced the cuckoo noise by ingenious use of two tiny bellows. Although novelty clocks had been made in the region for some time, Ketterer's invention was to revolutionize the Black Forest clockmaking industry. The intricately carved clocks are still handmade by skilled craftsmen in the region.
Usually quite small in size, a cuckoo clock's pendulum might swing twice a second, as opposed to the approximately once every two seconds for a large grandfather clock. They can be either a one-day rack movement, or an eight day clock. They almost all make a similar "cuckoo" sound. However, some cuckoo clocks feature dancers and other gimmicks in place of the cuckoo.

Cuckoo Clocks that Go to Sleep at Night
If you love the idea of a cuckoo clock but would find the noise irritating at night, think about finding one that doesn't make a noise once it gets dark. Amazing as it seems, cuckoo clocks have been invented that sense when it is dark and stop making a noise! So, if you'd really love a cuckoo clock but like peace and quiet, you have no excuse not to get one.

Howard Miller Clocks

Howard Miller Clocks is an American clock-making company that dates back to 1926, when it was founded by Howard Miller. The company specializes in producing fine quality clocks of all types and for all types of settings. The name Howard Miller has become synonymous with the best in quality clocks.

German Clockmaking Heritage
Howard Miller learned the art of clockmaking from his father, Herman, in Germany's Black Forest region before coming to the United States. To begin with, the company focused on the production of high-end chiming and wall clocks, but gradually their itinerary has encompassed even very modern designs of all types. In the 1960s they began to produce grandfather clocks and became known as the largest maker of grandfather clocks in the world.
While traditionally Howard Miller clocks are a prime option for wedding gifts and other family occasions, the company has succeeded in promoting Howard Miller clocks as a gift idea for any occasion—or even when there is no occasion! But since their inception the company has never compromised where their reputation for quality is concerned. Howard Miller and Ridgeway Clocks are the two most-sought-after modern clockmakers.

Grandmother Clocks

Shorter versions of grandfather clocks or long case clocks are commonly called grandmother clocks, and sometimes referred to as a "short long-case." The maximum height of grandmother clocks is usually around 6 ft tall, as opposed to 8ft 6in for a grandfather clock. There the difference seems to end though.

Popular Grandmother
Grandmother clocks have all the variety, beauty and elegance of grandfather clocks, and they are just as collectible. In fact, grandmother clocks are, if anything, more popular nowadays simply because they fit into smaller spaces with elegance. A full size grandfather clock is often too big for modern buildings.
Often a replica that is referred to as a grandfather is, in fact a grandmother clock because of its size. Non-experts tend to call all long-case type clocks grandfather clocks. If in doubt, get your tape measure out and you will soon know!

Want a Big Clock for a Small Space?
If you have always longed for a grandfather clock, but such a large one would not look right in your home, then consider a grandmother clock. You'll be getting the same shape and grace, but the smaller scale may well work in the space you have in mind. You can choose from antique grandmother clocks, replicas (those which are new but modeled on antique clocks), or you can even find modern versions of grandmother clocks these days. An acrylic one, for example, would look right at home in the most modern decorative scheme.

Antique Clocks

The best way to decide what would be the most appropriate antique clock for your collection would be to visit a clock museum. My personal favorites are carriage clocks—French, English, German—doesn't matter I love them all for their beauty and versatility; they'll fit with almost any decorating style. But there are a seemingly infinite number of different types of antique clocks to be found.

What a Selection!
The selection is so varied that experts tend to specialize in one type of antique clocks. There are long case clocks, bracket clocks, mantel clocks, cuckoo clocks, pendulum clocks, nautical clocks, wall clocks, art deco clocks, and so on. I think we could fill an entire website with names of different types of antique clocks!

How to Care for Your Antique Clocks
If you have taken the time to search for the particular clock of your dreams and have been lucky enough to find it, chances are it was a major investment for you. So it makes sense to take great care of your prized possession. It makes sense to only use traditional cleaning materials to care for your clock. Modern chemicals may react with original varnishes and finishes. It's not worth taking a risk. It is vital that you learn about the mechanism of your particular clock. They vary tremendously among antique clocks.

Learn About the Mechanism
If you are not familiar with a particular mechanism, you could try a local antiques dealer or clock repair specialist for help. Some common problems are the minute hand catching on the hour hand, the mechanism shifting within the case as a result of winding, or working with an uneven beat. Beware of damaging your mechanism by winding it too tight. If you have a marble clock case, never lay it on its back or sides as this will place undue strain on the reinforcing wires used for cementing the parts of the case together and could cause irreparable damage. Antique clocks with large cases should always be handled with extreme care.

Grandfather Clocks

Quite possibly, grandfather clocks have the most romantic image of all. All the old European families have one, and they are famous for being passed down from one generation to the next, pendulums swinging. Although the most common image of a grandfather clock is that of the tall, wooden affair that sits in the hallway, grandfather clocks come in all shapes and sizes. Some of them are really quite small, but the well-known long case or tall case ones can be much taller than a man. Most grandfather clocks are between 6ft3in and 8ft tall

A Family of Grandfather Clocks
Apart from the new "mini" grandfather clocks, which are supposed to be a desk top gimmick, you can find a grandfather clock to fit almost any size of room and any type of decor. If you are an aficionado of modern furniture but can't resist getting a grandfather clock, the perfect answer for you is an acrylic version. They are the traditional shape, and have a pendulum, but their case is completely transparent.
Some of the most treasured examples of grandfather clocks are those that have marquetry cases. This is a sort of mosaic of tiny pieces of colored woods, that together make an exceedingly beautiful pattern or picture. Perhaps the best examples of these are Italian. Grandfather clocks tend to have become rather more heavily embellished with time, so if you'd prefer a simpler one, you may have to pay quite a price for a very old one. The largest and most notable modern maker of grandfather clocks is Howard Miller Clocks. The mechanism of most grandfather clocks is eight-day or thirty-hour, and are wound by a key through two holes in the dial. Until 1780 almost all grandfather clocks had engraved brass dials. After that painted dials were fashionable. Dials may be square, arched or round.

Atomic Clocks

The governments of the world keep an accurate record of the time by using atomic clocks. To give you an idea of just how accurate an atomic clock is, it is even more accurate than the rotation of the earth itself. This level of accuracy is absolutely necessary to synchronize space travel, to synchronize the Internet and the airways of the world would be very dangerous nowadays without the absolute certainty of an atomic timepiece.

Not Easy to Understand
Atomic clocks work by means of oscillation between the nucleus of an atom and its surrounding neutrons. Not an easy concept to describe. But that should be enough to send you off in the right direction. You need a professor here. I'm not one!

Invention of the Atomic Clock
In 1945 Isidor Rabi, a Columbia University physics professor, developed the atomic clock from his theory of Atomic Beam Magnetic Resonance. In 1949 the National Bureau of Standards announced the first atomic clock using an ammonia molecule as the source of vibration (oscillation). Later, in 1952, this was substituted by cesium atoms for a more accurate vibration.
The most recent atomic clocks have an accuracy of about one second in twenty million years. Now that's amazing. The Egyptian water clock, while wonderful for its time, certainly couldn't compete with that. Of course, atomic clocks have now replaced the original Nautical Clocks for the purpose of maritime navigation. I'm sure they wonder how they ever did without an atomic clock.

Clocks

I don't think anything else in the whole wide world is quite as collectible as a clock. Clocks are fascinating. They come in all shapes, colors, sizes and with every conceivable type of mechanism. They can be made out of any type of material; wood, glass, plastic, marble—I've even seen a book advertised on Amazon.com on how to make a working paper clock!

Swiss Clocks
From the seventeenth century, the best clocks in the world were made in Switzerland. Everybody who was anybody had a Swiss made clock. But nowadays, with atomic clocks and digital clocks, Japan has taken over as the center of the clock making industry. For a while digital wristwatches captivated the market, but there has been something of a comeback for the old, but wonderful self-winding mechanism, which is now back on offer as a top-of-the line item by such famous makers as Tag Heuer and Bulova—back to Switzerland for these beauties.

Clock Museums
Clocks are so well loved by so many people that there are a number of specialized clock museums around the world. There's the Willard House Clock Museum in North Grafton, Massachusetts, the Canadian Clock Museum in Deep River, Ontario, the Bily Clock Museum at Spilleville, Iowa. Oh, I could go on