It is also recommended that you do not place your antique clock in direct sunlight. This means avoiding placement near a radiator or fireplace. Maintain Optimal Conditions: Avoid keeping your clock in overly hot or humid spaces.Once you have your antique clock ticking away at the correct time, you should begin to think about long-term care for your prized timepiece. Sold for £1,250 via Chiswick Auctions (September 2019). Rare late 19th century German Walnut and Marquetry Shelf Fusee Cuckoo Clock (interior view). Such movements can also damage the inner workings of the clock’s movement. When resetting your antique clock, always keep in mind that it is best to avoid manually moving the hands of the clock. Those that are 8-day clocks, for example, should be wound once a week (ideally on the same day) 30-hour clocks meanwhile, need once-a-day winding. The frequency with which you wind your antique clock will depend on the style. Do not try to overwind your clock as this can put undue pressure on the mainspring and might even cause damage to the inner workings of the clock. When it comes time, you will use the clock’s crank to wind the clock until you meet resistance. Winding the Clockįor those antique clocks that use a wound spring to keep time, you will need to fall into a schedule of winding your clock. If your antique clock falls out of this rhythm, it will most likely stop. You will also need to make sure your clock is level so that it can stay “in beat,” meaning that the time between the classic “tick” and “tock” is consistently even. You can adjust the pendulum bob – that is, the weight near the end of the pendulum – up or down to either accelerate or slow down the pendulum’s swing. Adjusting the Pendulumįor those antique clocks that rely upon the momentum of a pendulum to keep time, the first step to setting your antique clock is to ensure that this pendulum is not swinging too fast or too slow. Sold for £475 via Lyon & Turnbull (May 2018). Keeping up these mechanical wonders, though, means setting them correctly and keeping up a regular care regimen.įrench gilt bronze mantel clock, 19th century. One of the fascinating aspects of collecting antique clocks is that they reflect an incredible level of hand-craftsmanship that has allowed them to enjoy years of timekeeping. The Breguet Sympathique clock, for example, that was once owned by the Duc d’Orleans, holds the record as one of the most expensive antique clocks to ever appear at auction. Provenanceĭriving the value of many antique clock prices is when that clock came from a prominent collection. Without such markings or an associated label, a clock that is merely attributed to a specific maker will most likely be valued less. Often the authenticity of an antique clock can be confirmed by the presence of a clockmaker’s trademark or insignia that is inscribed on the clock’s movement. While some clocks can return to their former glory with the right restoration, it is important to note that unrestored clocks with original features or glass that are still in exceptional condition tend to sell at higher prices. You should inspect everything from the dial to the escapement, which is the mechanism of springs and weights that keep the hands moving. Even if an antique clock offers a spectacular exterior, you also need to be sure to check that the condition of the clock’s movement, which comprises all the elements that make the clock function, is in equally splendid shape. Factors that can determine the value of antique clocks include: ConditionĬlocks that are in excellent condition will garner a higher price than those bearing chips, scratches, or those that are missing elements. When it comes to collecting antique clocks, making an informed purchase means knowing about makers and styles, but it also means checking several aspects of the clock to ensure that the example you’ve selected is worth its full value. In this article, discover how to identify the best examples at auction, advice on key makers, and evolution of styles over the course of history. Regardless of whether it is the precision of the “tick” that lights your fancy or the great clockmakers that conjured true works of art with their timepieces that drives you, collecting antique clocks can quickly become a lifelong passion. Antique clocks provide a satisfying combination of masterful mechanics and brilliant beauty, from striking antique mantel clocks to the gentle cluck emanating from a cuckoo clock.
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