Thomas Tompion, an exceptionally well regarded clocksmith and watchsmith  and contributor to the field of horology, he was a British clocks and watch maker who lived in England during the 1600s through his death in the early 1700s.

His influence is still felt today, and the early bracket mantel clocks he helped to pioneer became the gold standard for British Bracket Clocks and mantle clocks for centuries to follow.   Tompion’s excellence was based on the sound design of his productions as well as the high quality of the materials used. This together with the outstanding skills of the workmen he employed gave him an unrivaled reputation throughout the known world.

His clock apprentices included George Allett, Edward Banger, Henry Carlowe, Daniel Delander, Ricard Ems, Ambrose Gardner, Obadiah Gardner, William Graham (nephew of George Graham), George Harrison, Whitestone Littlemore, Jerimiah Martin, Charles Molins, William Mourlay, Charles Murray, Robert Pattison, William Sherwood, Richard Street, Charles Sypson, William Thompson, James Tunn and Thomas White many of whom became important clockmakers in their own right.  Everything from grandfather clocks to miniature clocks.

Tompion’s clocks and watches command extremely high prices when they come up for auction, which is relatively rarely. Clocks made honoring Thomas Tompion’s legacy, quality and worksmanship have been reproduced by several makers over the years, including but certainly but not limited to Ridgeway Clocks and the Howard Miller Clocks Company.

Howard Miller Thomas Tompion Mantle Clock

In 1711, Tompion joined in partnership with the famous innovator George Graham (known especially for the Graham Deadbeat Escapement, still used today in fine grandather clocks and mantle clocks and wall clocks), who later developed the spring escapement further after Tompion’s death.

The Howard Miller Thomas Tompion Mantle Mantel Clock, by Howard Miller Clocks, has a German made Kieninger triple-chime movement (playing Westminster, Whittington & St Michaels chimes), and is in an absolutely stunning case, with the keywound clock’s mechanism visible from each side of the clock

“Hello, I am very interested in purchasing the Howard Miller J.H. Miller II Grandfather Clock Model 611-031 (611031) with tubular chimes, or perhaps the Howard Miller J.H. Miller Grandfather Clock Model 611-030 (611030), which looks identical, but is several thousand dollars less expensive.  I would ideally like to see any grandfather clock I purchase in person.  May I stop by one of your stores to compare these clocks, and perhaps some other Howard Miller, Ridgeway, and Hermle Grandfather Clocks I have also found quite intriguing”.

The above grandfather clock sale inquiry is not at all unusual.  People, especially in an ideal world, want to see and hear and even touch all the choices before them in person.  Some grandfather clocks shoppers come carrying an array of wood samples, others carrying paint color chips, some bring along a friend for a second opinion, and some simply want to see and hear how each grandfather clock might sound, and the differences and similarities between and among different grandfather clock makers.

I know if I was considering spending several thousand dollars on a grandfather clock or floor clock, I would surely want to see it and hear it in person before I bought it, even id I knew it was made by a quality maker with an excellent reputation.  Having said that, there are literally hundreds of grandfather clock models to choose from, and at least in the New York tri-state area, which includes New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, it is difficult to find any place that will have even a significant number of new grandfather clocks on display.  We had in our Grand Central Station Store for many years, until we were forced to close it after the entire floor on which we were located was taken over and occupied by the New York Metropolitan Transit Authority, maybe 3-4 grandfather clocks on display at any one time, and as far as we knew, that was the largest selection in the New York City area.  The economics of selling grandfather clocks, and mantle clocks and wall clocks etc. has led over the years to a continuing and ongoing reduction in the number of brick and mortar stores selling both new and antique grandfather clocks.

We still make sure to keep some grandfather clocks on display in one or more of our locations, but when one adds in space for wristwatches and pocket watches, not to mention space for repair of mechanical cable driven and chain driven grandfather clocks, keywound wall clocks, antique mantel clocks and much more, it takes up space.  We try to keep much inventory in antique clocks and antique pocket watches (and like to purchase collections of old pocketwatches and wristwatches, and even clocksmith tools, whether the timepieces are working or not).

We frequently have to ask our clock customers to make a leap of faith, that yes, the grandfather clock will look as good and sound as good, or maybe better, in person.  We look for ways to help people deal with this legitimate desire to see a clock before plunking down thousands of dollars.

The good news is that when we get feedback from customers who buy without first seeing the grandfather clock in person, the feedback is almost universally that the grandfather clock was MUCH NICER overall than they expected.  A satisfied grandfather clocks customer and owner makes it all worthwhile!

Howard Miller J.H. Miller Grandfather Clock Model 611-030 (611030) (on left)

Howard Miller J.H. Miller II Grandfather Clock Model 611-031 (611031) (on right)

Do the grandfather clocks make the celebrity, or does the Celebrity make the grandfather clock?  We would like to know.  We are aware that many celebrities are owners of both antique grandfather clocks and new grandfather clocks, and grandmother clocks are quite popular as well.  One way we know this is that we have sold and installed grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks to many people who are household names, so to speak.  Generally, these famous business people, actors, government officials, university president, major network chiefs, religious leaders, heads of state, and heads of state giving gifts to other heads of state and visiting dignitaries, among others, will work through an intermediary.  Yet in most all instances we know who the so-called end users for these great timepieces are.  Usually because they tell us, they visit our shop, or they call for follow-up of certain kinds.

Aside from antique mantle clocks, antique wall clocks, and antiques grandfather clocks, the large majority of the emphasis is on the major high-end clock brands like Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Hermle Grandfather Clocks, and Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks.  Seth clocks are also a good seller, as are Movado Clocks, especially for high-end corporate gifts.

We do not sell and tell, so you will never see anything about an individual customer unless the customer wants us to publicize the sale for some reason.  We currently have one client, who is an absolute mogul, known the world over, and he asked us to work with his interior decorator, and plans to have this home, once decorated, shot for Architectural Digest.  I think it’s a fair bet to say that if he wants it, he will get it.  So stay tuned, and we may be able to publicize that one.

In the days of now antique grandfather clocks over 100 years ago, the vast majority of grandfather clocks were time and strike.  The grandfather clocks would gong on each hour for the number of hours (e.g. 4 for 4 o’clock), and once on each half -hour.

Precious few grandfather clocks also played chimes, e.g. the grandfather clock westminster chimes which requires five notes, or perhaps the well-known bim-bam chime, which plays a ting-tang two note chime on every half-hour and on each hour for the number of hours.  Some very special antique clocks, such as one we now have for sale that was made in the 1700s in France, has a string that one can pull and the grandmother clock will then gong first for the hour with the number of hours, and then on 2 notes to signify each quarter hour.  This grandmother clock, or small grandfather clock, has what has since become known as a repeater function, which is prized both in clocks of all vintages, as well as in pocket watches.

Modern day grandfather clocks, at least the higher-end ones, come generally with at least one chime, with the westminster chime being the most popular.  They also come with with choices of chimes and grandfather clock sounds including the whittington chime, the saint michaels chime, the ave maria chime, and the ode to joy chime.  many of these grandfather clock sounds can be heard on our website at 1-800-4clocks.com.

Special features nowadays can include auto-night shutoff features with the chime stopping at 10pm and starting up at 7am, for example, or with quartz grandfather clocks, even volume control of the grandfather clocks sound.

These same features can be found frequently on howard miller mantle clocks, ridgeway wall clocks, and hermle mantel clocks.

Are you looking for the perfect wedding gift? Gift ideas for the bride or the groom, or especially for the couple?

We have seen an increasing trend over the years where clocks are used as integral gifts not only for the groom and bride, but also as presents for members of the wedding party, and sometimes even as a special wedding gift from the groom to the bride.  Wedding organizers, wedding planners, and those thinking about bridal registries take note.  Clocks are a wonderful item to add to a bridal registry.

Perhaps one of the most special gifts a parent or parent can give to their child and son-in-law or daughter-in-law to be, is one of the many great grandfather clocks we have offered over the timeline of our business.  Over time, a grandfather clock or a grandmother clock, or one of the special wall clocks as a gift, or mantle clocks as a present, has grown in popularity.

Even gifts to members of the wedding party, including presents to bridesmaids, and gifts to the Best Man and Maid of Honor or Matron of Honor, and present for all members of the wedding party, we have seen an explosion of this type of gifts.  Some of the most popular presents to wedding party members include Movado Clocks, Howard Miller Clocks, Hermle Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, and Seth Thomas clocks.

We frequently consult with the gift-giver(s), and discuss the pros and cons of different gift giving possibilities.

It is advice we love to give, and hope anyone thinking about a special clock or clocks as part of a wedding or marriage, will call us to discuss the possibilities.  We can always be reached at 1-800-4CLOCKS, or 1-800-425-6257.

Of the many first questions we are asked by our grandfather clocks shoppers looking for grandfather clocks on sale, is, effectively, how big of a discount will you give me, and are you offering the best deal available anywhere.

It’s actually both an easy and a hard question to answer.  We try to always be the low price leader, especially in published prices and internet sales.  We pride ourselves on offering a Low Price Guarantee which is explained in some depth on our website at www.1-800-4clocks.com.

At the same time, there is so much more to consider when buying a grandfather clock than simply how good a discount you might get.  We can’t tell you how many calls we get from people who have purchased grandfather clocks from other dealers and retailers, and then either don’t know what to do with them, have major problems if any issue arises, or found that what they have purchased is not what they think they have purchased.  And by then it it almost always too late to do anything about it.

We offer, for highly discounted mechanical grandfather clocks over $1,000, free in-home set-up by a knowledgeable individual, not to mention free shipping which more than 90% of the time also includes free unpacking at the time of delivery.  The unpacking is especially valuable because it offers the customer added insurance and product protection if any damage occurred in shipping.  And this is a subject we review with all of of grandfather clocks customers before they receive their shipment of a Howard Miller or Ridgeway or Hermle or other grandfather clock.

Looking for grandfather clocks on sale is something any smart shopper can do.  At the same time, you want to make sure that if any issue arises, you will be able to go back to the place where you purchased the clock, where they will now only be both reachable and responsive, but will also know what they are talking about when it comes to grandfather clocks.

We are also very proud of our A Rating by the Better Business Bureau, which we feel reflects how responsive we truly our not only to our customers’ basic needs, but also to the natural clocks concerns that arise over time.

We have focused some attention in past grandfather clocks blog posts about how we see a booming trend toward giving grandfather clocks as special wedding gifts, especially as spectacular wedding presents from parents or grandparents of the bride and groom to be.

A quick aside, in these times of war for our Nation, we do see many family of loved ones serving in the military, and even members of our Armed Forces serving overseas purchasing grandfather clocks to be delivered shortly after their planned return, or sometimes for special anniversaries while they are still serving in the Army, Navy, Marines, and other special forces, as well as some military contractors working overseas in support of the USA and its allies’ efforts.

Well, back to everyday civilian life customs and traditions for gift-giving and wedding anniversary celebrations.  More and more parents of “children” in their 20s and 30s whom are getting married are finding grandfather clocks to be the perfect wedding gift for their loved ones.  We also see this grandfather clock gift trend for special and milestone anniversaries, as well as the kids giving their parents the perfect anniversary gift of a grandfather clock for, say, 25th and 50th wedding anniversary gifts, as examples.  The gifts come in all tastes, shapes and sizes,  In addition, many choose to give mechanical mantel clocks, such as howard miller keywound chiming mantel clocks, sometimes with triple chimes including the Westminster Chime.  Grandfather clocks and high-end Mantle clocks are by far the most popular wedding gifts and anniversary present for those looking for that special clock gift for their loved one.

Below is a table, for which we would like to acknowledge and thank the website www.chiff.com, for showing what are considered the traditional or customary gifts for each anniversary rule.  While we feel no rules such as this should really apply, and when tradition coincides with desire, so much the better.

We at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com must get asked several times a day about what the difference is between grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks.

Some people, also known as clock experts, could likely talk for hours – or at least an hour – on the subject. One can say a grandmother clock is not only smaller or shorter, but also more feminine and perhaps even more petite.  Some experts would attribute certain design types to being more of a grandmother clock or a grandfather clock.

We at 1-800-4CLOCKS see the definition as much simpler and more easy to define.  And with that definition in mind, we are able to categorize many of our grandfather clocks as BOTH grandmother clocks and grandfather clocks.  And that is why we say Grandfather Clocks are Grandmother Clocks.

Now what do we mean?  Simply, we see the defining difference between the two as one of height, and not necessarily anything else.  Design comes into play, but even a feminine looking floor clock that is 9 feet tall is going to be considered a grandfather clock by almost all experts.  And we believe the same logic applies this time for grandfather clocks.

So what is the height requirement or breaking point when the definition changes from one to another.  Not so clear, at least in the sense that many experts may not agree.  We ourselves see roughly 80 inches in height as the dividing line between grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks.  We also look at the style of the clock, and might change the height definition in either direction by up to 5 inches depending upon the qualities of the individual clock.  We also advise that there are no hard and fast rules for one versus the other, except at the height extremes in either direction.

Now granddaughter clocks and Grandson Clocks™ are another matter entirely.

Have you ever heard of a Grandfather Wall Clock? Or a Wall Grandfather Clock?  Well, many of our customers have, and they are almost always not referring to grandfather clocks but rather to large wall clocks with a pendulum and weights.

Many of those we work with have wondered if there is some mythological clocks beast which they had never encountered by name.  But it does make sense.  When one thinks of some of the defining characteristics of grandfather clocks, it is that they are big, chime, and frequently have weights that show through glass — not unlike many of the Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks or Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks or Hermle Floor Clocks (also known as Hermle grandfather clocks), among many others, including antique grandfather clocks, hat we sell routinely.

We have always thought of one of the defining characteristics of a grandfather clock or a grandmother clock as one that is free-standing and unless a miniature, of a certain height for a grandmother or grandfather clock.

Wall clocks need not apply.

Ridgeway Vanderbilt Biltmore Grandfather Clock R2538

Howard Miller Stevenson Wall Clock 620-262 – NOT a grandfather clock

The writer of this blog post has always been a sucker for a clock with a moonphase dial, sometimes also referred to as moondials, whether moonphase grandfather clocks, moonphase mantel clock or bracket clock, or moonphase wall clock.  And watches too!

With antique clocks, dials with a moonphase were especially prized, and were found most often, when they were found, on grandfather clocks or floor clocks.  The lunar cycle is 29 1/2 days, which is one full revolution of the moondial on the moonphase clock.  When there is a full moon outside, the clock is supposed to show a full moon at the top center of the moonphase dial.  It will take another 29 1/2 days to be in the exact same position again.  In the olden days, these days were actually used by farmers to help to know when to plant crops.  They were also of use for people traversing the oceans, although a movement that would work on a clock with enough reliability was invented later and also had multiple uses for navigation and charting voyages.

In more recent years, moondials are seen on many types of clocks.  They are also on wristwatches too, as well as some antique pocket watches. Many clocks, particular in the relatively lower price ranges, and generally with all chain-driven mechanical grandfather clocks, the moonphase dials are faux dials (the nice, and French, word for fake), and are stationary and do not move.  hey are for decorative purposes only.  Most higher-end cable driven grandfather clocks, particular by makers such as Howard Miller Clocks, Hermle Clocks, and Ridgeway Clocks, have working moonphase moondials on their grandfather clocks.

A working moonphase dial on a new or antique grandfather clock is a great feature, if one can afford a clock in that generally somewhat higher grandfather clocks price range.  Keep an eye out for grandfather clock discounts and individual grandfather clocks for sale that have this feature.  You very likely will not be disappointed, whether a grandfather clocks enthusiast or not.

Howard Miller Stewart Grandfather Clock Model 610-948 with working moonphase dial