When a battery clock drains batteries too fast, you end up replacing AA cells every few weeks instead of every year. I have repaired more than fifty quartz wall and mantel clocks over the past decade, and the same handful of faults cause this problem almost every time. In this guide I will walk you … Read more
Cleaning a clock the wrong way can destroy decades of patina in seconds. Over the years, our team has seen shellac finishes clouded by water, brass components stripped of their character by aggressive polish, and painted dial numerals wiped away by a well-meaning damp cloth. Whether you own a grandfather clock that has been in … Read more
If you own a treasured timepiece, learning how to insure and appraise a valuable antique clock protects both your financial investment and your family heirloom. Many clock owners assume their standard homeowners policy covers everything, only to discover gaps after damage or theft has already occurred. An antique clock insurance appraisal gives you a documented, … Read more
Antique clocks are more than timekeepers. They are mechanical heirlooms whose cases, dials, and movements tell a story that can stretch back two or three centuries. I’ve spent years handling, restoring, and displaying vintage timepieces, and I can tell you that the two biggest threats to any antique clock are almost always sunlight and dust. … Read more
Learning how to wind an antique clock correctly to avoid overwinding is the single biggest concern I hear from clock owners. I have worked with mechanical timepieces for years, and the fear of breaking a cherished heirloom keeps many people from winding at all. Ironically, that does more harm than good. An antique clock is … Read more
Inheriting a clock from a family member is both a gift and a responsibility. These timepieces often carry decades of memories, and many sit unused for years before they land in your hands. The temptation to wind it up and hear it tick again is strong. But here is the catch. Running a clock that … Read more
When a clock cable shows signs of fraying or breaking, the safest response is to stop the pendulum, secure the weights, and inspect the cable before deciding whether to repair it yourself or call a professional. Damaged weight cables in grandfather, grandmother, or tall case clocks can snap without warning and send heavy brass weights … Read more
If you live in a humid climate, you already know the toll moisture takes on metal surfaces around your home. Your clocks are no exception. Learning how to set up a clock in a humid climate to prevent rust can add years to the life of your timepiece and save you hundreds in repair costs. … Read more
A wooden clock case is more than a housing for the movement inside. It is a piece of craftsmanship that can last for generations if you treat it right. Over the years, I have seen beautifully built grandfather clocks, mantel clocks, and Vienna regulators lose their lustre simply because nobody bothered with proper clock wood … Read more
Big Ben’s clock is regulated with a penny on the pendulum by stacking pre-decimal pennies on the pendulum bob, where each penny shifts the pendulum’s center of mass and changes how fast it swings. Adding one penny causes the clock to gain two-fifths of a second (0.4 seconds) over a 24-hour period, while removing a … Read more