One of the grandfather clock questions we are asked most frequently, and service calls we make many times on a regular basis, is by Grandfather Clock owners who are moving their Grandfather Clocks, whether in their home, across the street to a new home, moving to a new city nearby or across country, or shipping a grandfather clock overseas.

We are compelled to state that there is never any “one size fits all” advice that can be accurate. Please also note that if one follows this advice when moving your grandfather clock, we make no representations or warranties that this advice will apply to you. Use it at your own risk! Also note that these steps are not time sequential, and should be read in their entirety before acting on anything. Furthermore, even under the best of moving circumstance, when moving a grandfather clock, it is not at all unusual that adjustments may be required once the grandfather clock has reached its final destination after the grandfather clock is once again set-up. This is as true for newer grandfather clocks as it is for antique grandfather clocks. It also applies to mechanical weight-driven clocks only, and not quartz grandfather clocks, which in general would be much easier to move.

Here are some basic guidelines when contemplating your grandfather clock move:

1. NEVER move a grandfather clock, even across the room, with its weights and pendulum attached. Not only can this easily damage the movement, but it can also cause the pendulum (most likely suspension) to break, as well as possibly allowing the weights to swing in the case, and break or damage the glass and case.

2. A good first step is generally to remove the grandfather clock’s pendulum. Be very careful to not damage the suspension spring where the pendulum’s top meets the clocks movement. Also, after removing the grandfather clock’s pendulum, be sure it is packed especially well, and the suspension at the top of the pendulum does not break in transit.

3. Removing the grandfather clocks weights is a next critical step. For cable driven grandfather clocks, we generally recommend first winding the clock most of the way up, may leaving just about 6 inches more than usual atop the position they would usually be in with a full wind. For cable-driven grandfather clocks, it is a good idea to perhaps pull up the cables halfway.

4. After removing each weight from the grandfather clock, it is a good idea, if the weights are not already marked on the bottom something like L. M, R (for Left, Middle, Right), for you to tape on the bottom of each weight whether this weight is for the left, middle or right side of the grandfather clock. This is true for single weight driven and two weight drive grandfather clocks as well. The weights generally do not each weigh the same, and mixing up the weights can cause serious performance issues, and possibly damage, to your grandfather clock. ALSO, make sure to pack the weights separately from the clock, and whatever you do, do not put them inside the case of the grandfather clock, even after the time they are packed up. This would only be asking for damage to the clocks case and the clock itself.

5. While you are removing the weights from the pulleys beneath the cables or chains, one must be extremely careful to ensure both that the cables or chains (a) do not get intertwined with one another, or (b) snap or otherwise move back up into the movement, and get crossed or caught or misaligned with the grandfather clocks movement. To accomplish both of the above objectives, we usually take a piece of cardboard to put behind the cable or chain and clock pulleys, and as each weight is removed, tape each individual cable or chain to the cardboard. When all three (or fewer, as applicable) cables or chains are attached to the cardboard, this does a very good job of helping to ensure they will neither cross over or move up into the clocks movement and/or get misaligned.

6. When preparing for the actual move, one needs to make several decisions based on your individual clocks configuration. One key one is whether your grandfather clock has a hood that slides off. These are prevalent especially in Antique Grandfather Clocks. If the hood is removable, it might make sense to remove the hood and pack and ship it separately. The only real downside is that by removing the hood, one is exposing the grandfather clock movement, so it is somewhat of a tradeoff, and based on individual opinion, discretion, cost, and even supplies available.

7. To crate or not to crate your grandfather clock for shipping – there is no doubt that building a wooden crate especially for your grandfather clock, and of course packing and padding (and lots of bubble wrap, of course!) it extremely well, minimizes the risk of damage in transit, and may be necessary or required for many moving companies. Alternatives include crating the clock include blanket wrapping if you can find a mover who specializes in antiques that are blanket-wrapped. Disadvantages to crating including the cost, which generally ranges in the $200-$500 range. Blanket wrapping your Grandfather Clock saves one the cost of crating noted above, but the disadvantages include longer shipping times and an increased chance of damage in transit. Finding a good blanket wrap shipper can also be a challenge.

8. If you are moving the grandfather clock yourself locally in a truck, you might want to take the chance of blanket-wrapping it, and insure that it is on its back and that it is tied down well or wedged in and that nothing heavy can or will fall on it. There is also the option of shipping the clock in a heavy cardboard container, but we would recommend only even considering this if you are or have access to someone who can pack the clock extraordinarily well and has experience in this area.

9. The grandfather clock should never be on its side or face down. While shipping it upright might be considered ideal, in our experience, the chances of the grandfather clock tipping over are too great.

If one has any hesitations, or even if one does not, it might be a good idea to contact a grandfather clock packing specialist near you.

We are open to any comments and suggestions to make these instructions more useful, and we will either include them as a response to our post or incorporate them into a revised post.

Oh, and be sure not to forget you grandfather clock crank winding key or door lock key.

Antique grandfather clocks, made by potentially any skilled craftsman anywhere (but geographically concentrated in certain areas of Europe and the USA), are very different animals compared to the new Grandfather Clocks – made by companies such as Howard Miller Clocks, Kieninger Clocks, Hermle Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, Bulova Clocks and others.

When one buys a new grandfather clock such as a Howard Miller Grandfather Clock, one can generally assume it will be working “right out of the box”. When buying an Antique Grandfather Clock, which may be smart for investment purposes, one needs to be prepared for a whole host of additional challenges, as well as some trade-offs, compared to a new clock.

When buying an antique grandfather clock, one needs to attempt to know:

1. Is the clock “all original”, or is it in clock terminology “a marriage” (meaning the case and movement are not original to each other), or is it even possibly one of the ever more present complete reproductions of an antique clock (fake antique clocks is a rampant and fast-growing problem). [Despite the USA's increased focus on "Family Values", Clock Marriages are generally deemed to make clocks close to worthless, at least for serious clocks investors, for anything but home decor value]. Generally, in our opinion, one needs a clock expert to tell the difference.

As much as we love eBay (and sell and buy, and plan to continue), we sadly say that our opinion is that eBay has become a haven for fake antique clocks and pocket watches, not to mention vintage watches and most definitely for new watches. Honestly, we fear for the poor clocks or pocket watches collector who is just starting out today with no expertise behind him/her. Historically, and sticking with clocks as an example, one only had to worry about a clock marriage, as described above. Nowadays, we see new movements in old cases, old movements in news cases, and reproduction movements in new cases, which is essentially a wholesale reproduction, yet theoretically branded by a noted clockmaker of yore.

2. Condition of the clock case – a new clock generally would have or should have a “perfect finish”, many times withwood cominations and inlays unimaginable by antique clock makers. An antique clock, unless it is already fully restored (or cared for immaculately over its lifetime), is likely to need some additional woodwork. NOT necesarily a problem, just keep your checkkbooks handy and be prepared forLONG lead times for people who are really skilled in this area. They are in great demand.

3. Grandfather Clock Movement and Strike and Chimes – the movements in new clocks generally give more chime choices, e.g. Westminster Chimes (like Big Ben Clock Tower plays), Whittington Chimes, or St Michaels Chimes). Most antique grandfather clocks, at least clocks in similar price brackets, will simply chime on the hour for the number of hours and once on the half-hour. Antique grandfather clocks with more complicated chiming mechanisms are certainly available, and yet carry a correspondingly higher price tag. Also, the movements, while generally made with what might be considered sturdier movements than new grandfather clocks, will absolutely need to make sure they have a full overhaul to help insure years of continous worry-free operation. Having said that, a “project clock” can be an invitation to a money pit for restoration, while seeking clocksmiths with scarce skills and and qualified woodworkers who are also in very short supply.

4. The Maintenance of an Antique Grandfather Clock, for all the reasons stated above, is likely to be much higher over its life. Having said that, for someone who prefers a genuine antique, with careful shopping and appropriate support lined up, it can be both a good investment and a rewarding shopping experience. Just mak certain you have the appropriate reliable expertise in your corner when it comes the time to make a purchase decison.

5. Anique grandfather clock repair, as with other types of clocks and pocket watches, have a great divide in the standardization and resulting ease of antique grandfather clock repairs both within and between countries. The 2 most important contributing factors to this are: 1. that European Grandfather Clocks are, generally, much older than their American clock counterparts. There were not common standards either across makers or countries, especially in the earlier centuries of Grandfather Clock production post 1650. Even in the 1800s, as there was beginning to be a reasonable amount of standardization with countries and betweeen manufacturers, finding common movements or parts was in most cases a fool’s errand. Many older Grandfather Clocks made in the USA were generally careful to do whatever documentation was required should the clock need to be fixed. If today you are purchasing a new Howard Miller Grandfather Clock, Hermle Grandfather Clock, Kieninger Clocks, Hermle Grandfather Clocks, Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, or even one of the Seth Thomas Clocks, replacement parts should almost always be readily available and reasonably easy to find for years and years to come.

In summary, we would recommend BOTH new and antique grandfather clocks. Just be sure you do your homework, and go in with your eyes open. Each have their advantages, and aside from doing the homework, it can also very much be a matter of personal taste, or sentimental value of continuing to keep a grandfather clock in the family from generation to generation. BOTH ARE GREAT! BOTH ARE AND WILL BE TIMELESS!

Howard Miller Lindsey Grandfather Clock, Model 611-046, blends traditional antique grandfather clock look and sound with benefits of modern-day clock decorations and functionality

Grandfather clocks are known by other clock names, particularly in Western Europe where they originated. Most people in the United Kingdom refer to grandfather clocks as Tall Case (or sometimes Tallcase) Clocks or Long Case (or sometimes Longcase) Clocks. Other grandfather clock names that are sometimes used that are more or less synonomous with grandfather clocks are Floor Clocks, and less frequently, Hall Clocks. The styles of grandfather clock design cut across all of these names for grandfather clocks. Certain styles of clocks are also or alternatively referred to as Grandmother Clocks, with roughly an 80 inch height break being the dividing line …. but it is a gray area and open to personal and professional discretion (and occasionally debate).

It was not until some time after 1876 when Henry Clay Work wrote “My Grandfather’s Clock” – and known by many as The Grandfather Clocks Song – which became extremely popular especially in the USA, and gradually replaced the names of longcase and tallcase clocks to grandfather clocks to most people. The Chrous of the Grandfather Clock Song is perhaps the part ythat will look and sound most familar to people.

The Chorus is:

Ninety years without slumbering,

His life’s seconds numbering,

It stopped, short, never to go again, when the old man died.

First Verse:

My grandfather’s clock was too large for the shelf,

so it stood ninety years on the floor.

It was taller by half than the old man himself,

though it weighed not a pennyweight more.

It was bought on the morn of the day he was born,

and was always his treasure and pride.

But it stopped, short, never to go again, when the old man died.

Second Verse:

In watching its pendulum swing to and fro,

many hours had he spent while a boy.

And in childhood and manhood the clock seemed to know,

and to share both his grief and his joy.

For it struck twenty four when he entered at the door,

with a blooming and beautiful bride,

But it stoped, short, never to go again, when the old man died.

Third Verse:

My grandfather said that of those he could hire,

not a servant so faithful he found.

For it wasted no time and had but one desire,

at the close of each week to be wound.

And it kept in its place, not a frown upon its face,

and its hands never hung by its side.

But it stopped, short, never to go again, when the old man died.

Fourth and Last Verse:

It rang an alarm in the dead of the night,

an alarm that for years had been dumb,

And we knew that his spirit was pluming for flight,

that his hour of departure had come.

Still the clock kept the time, with a soft muffled chime,

as we silently stood by his side.

But it stopped, short, never to go again, when the old man died.

Grandfather Clock and “Factory Direct” (frequently in conjunction with discounts) are two phrases frequently heard or read in the same sentence. But why would or should a clocks shopper care about whether a grandfather clock is shipped directly from the factory warehouse vs. being shipped from an individual retailer’s stock?

Grandfather Clocks direct from the factory warehouse do have some advantages, with grandfather clock discounts being secondary. The principle difference – and this is as true for a grandfather clocks as it is for a wall clock or mantel clock – is that the clock has to ship ONLY ONCE! Shipping a clock at any time in its life, even when it’s new and packed for hearty clock travel, increases the risk that the container in which it is shipped may be jostled, dropped, poked, pierced or partly crushed one too many times. The risk of an adjustment being needed to a grandfather clock at least doubles when the clock is shipped twice.

The other main advantage if factory direct grandfather clock shipments is that you know you are not buying a Floor Model or Floor Sample Model, or a Model that was used on a Road Show (similar to well-known Antiques Road Show, but traveling with New Grandfather Clocks as Display Models), and then re-packaged. While most retailers are ethical and will tell you – especially if asked – that the clock is not “factory fresh”, you are nonetheless likely to hear that “this grandfather clock is in mint condition”, or “no one but us has ever touched this grandfather clock”. While these may well be true statements, there is no denying that this is not equivalent to getting a brand new discounted granfather clock factory fresh that has only shipped that one time.

Here is one of our many favorite grandfather clocks.

Grandfather Clock by Howard Miller Clocks – Harper Grandfather Clock Model 610-919

Many buyers of grandfather clocks, whether looking for grandfather clocks discounts, sales, or those for whom money is no object, ask about what the basic styles and choices are for the top part of any grandfather clocks. In our experience, and whether one is talking about antique grandfather clocks or the vintage or new floor clocks (another term frequently used more or less synonomously for grandfather clocks), the style of the tops generally fall into one of four categories.

This is as true for Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks and Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks as it is for antique grandfather clocks made by skilled craftsmen since grandfather clocks first started being made back in 1650.

We would break them down into the following four categories:

1. Split Pediment Grandfather Clock Top – also frequently referred to as a Swans Neck top, and are generally associated with the more traditional looking grandfather clocks. Below is an example of a grandfather clock with a Split Pediment:

Traditional Grandfather Clock with Swan’s Neck or Split Pediment Top

2. Bonnet Topped Grandfather Clock – generally a grandfather clock with a decorative top centerpiece, and can be on top of a traditional grandfather clock design, or one with a contemporary clock look, and some that may look a little bit of each. Below are examples of two Bonnet Topped Grandfather Clocks:

Traditional Grandfather Clock with Bonnet Top

Contemporary Grandfather Clock with Bonnet Top

3. Flat Top Grandfather Clock – description pretty much speaks for itself, and can be the top of either a Contemporary Grandfather Clock or a Traditional Grandfather Clock.

Flat Top Contemporary Grandfather Clock

Traditional Flat Top Grandfather Clock

4. Round Top Grandfather Clock – which can be either a contemporary or more traditional look for a grandfather clock, and can be more of a full circle sitting on a base or a half-circle more integrated with the design of the clock. Examples of some different styles are shown below, including one which, while having a rounded top, has another feature which clearly sets it apart from the clock.

Circular Round Top Grandfather Clock – Example 1

Slim Circular Grandfather or Grandmother Clock – Example 2

Rounded Top Grandfather Clock – Example 3

Circular Top Grandfather Clock with a Twist – a Spike – Example 4

The limits of the designs of grandfather clocks are only limited by the imagination of the artisans and craftspeople, not to mention incorporationg the mechanisms and dials, and there are likely dozens of examples that would not fit neatly into any one or even more of the above categories. Grandfather Clocks have the personality of their makers and designers, and to the tastes and influences of cultures, artists of different periods, the consumers – from old-time aristocrats to larger markets of consumers. Clocks have PERSONALITY!™

Grandfather Clocks, such as those offered in mechanical (vs. quartz) Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, Kieninger Grandfather Clocks, Hermle Grandfather Clocks, and Bulova Grandfather Clocks ALL currently use movements and built-in chimes made by either the Hermle Clock Company or the Kieninger Clock Company in their mechanical clocks. Hermle and Kieninger and currently the 2 remaining high-end mechanical movement manufacturers of any real volume, both based in Germany, left in the world today (there are still some very high-end grandfather clock movements and grandfather clock parts made by small independent makers, mostly in the United Kingdom – and true to the way antique grandfather clocks were made) . [More and more grandfather clock parts are being made and copied in other parts of the world, especially in Asia and also more and more in China in particular]. In the years ahead, the makers of clock works and clock parts are likely to continue to expand and offer ever more options to consumers whether they are buying a mantel clock, a wall clock, or a grandfather clock. The rapid pace of change in the dynamics of the history of clocks and the increasing ways of telling time is likely to accelerate in the coming years and are likely to bring more choices in clock movements, including those used in grandfather clock kits, in the years ahead.

Howard Miller J H Miller II Grandfather Clock Model 611-031 with Mechanical Kieninger Movement with Tubular Chimes and in Limited Edition

A Grandfather Clocks purchase brings with it many decisions, not only form and functions, but also matters of personal taste. Aside from the question of an antique grandfather clocks vs. a new Grandfather Clock by such makers as Howard Miller Clocks or Bulova Clocks, first there is the question of the broader style. Does one want a Contemporary Grandfather Clock, a more Traditional Grandfather Clock, a Grandmother Clock, a Curio Grandfather Clock or what might be frequently termed as a more plain looking Floor Clock. The choices within each of the broad categories are many.

There is also the shape of the grandfather clock case. Most grandfather clocks fit into one of two broad definitions, which include the split pediment grandfather clock (also sometimes referred to as a Swan’s Neck pediment with a center finial), or more of a rounded or square type of shape at the top of the clock. Of course there are as many variations as there are and have been clock designers, and part of the art form is picking out the clock that best fits your home’s personality or the decor for your organization. The clocks finish and type of wood are another crticial variable for many, trying of course to match woods for interior decorating purposes. Cherry, Mahogany, Oak (and solid wood clocks with multiple veneers) and many other finishes are presented, and even shades within these woods can vary substantially. One aspect which differentiates all of the grandfather clocks that are sold by 1-800-4CLOCKS is that ALL are Solid Wood. Sometimes there is no substitute to seeing the clock in person, and even then taking into consideration the lighting. We will soon cover the various kinds of grandfather clock movements, including such basics as cable-driven vs. chain driven mechical movements, and the choices of chimes for enthusiasts of clocks.

Kieninger Vulliamy Grandfather Clock

Grandfather Clock choices abound, even amongst the finest makers of Grandfather Clocks. There are literally dozens of variables to consider when deciding which, if any, grandfather clock is right for you and your home decor or office design setting. At 1-800-4CLOCKS, the decision task has been made a lot easier because only the higher-end grandfather clocks are offered for sale, as well as some special Antique Grandfather Clocks. After years of industry experience and careful market and product evaluations, the current range of new brands we offer are Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Ridgeway Grandfather Clock Collection, premium Kieninger Grandfather Clocks, Hermle Grandfather Clock assortment, and a Bulova Grandfather Clock selection (Bulova Clocks not long ago acquired the design rights to the famous Sligh Grandfather Clocks, and uses Hermle Clock mechanical movements).

This is the first of a series of posts we are planning on the subjects noted in the title of this posting. We welcome more and specific suggestions or requests for other aspects of a grandfather clock purchase. Subsequent posts will address choices of chimes (and the history of clock chimes), such as the Westminster Chime vs. the Triple Chime Movement, styles such as flat-top vs. split pediment, the many grandfather clock wood variations, the pros and cons of grandfather clock kits, and how this market has changed so much over the years, and the age old question of whether to buy a new grandfather clock or an antique grandfather clock, and what factors to consider when weighing this choice. The option of buying a vintage grandfather clock will also be addressed in subsequent postings. Keep your questions coming……

Ridgeway 221 Baker Street Grandfather Clock, Model R9030

Bulova Grandfather Clocks, along with much of the rest of the Bulova Clocks line (from Bulova clock miniatures to mantel clocks to wall clocks), including the Frank Lloyd Wright Clock Collection, will soon be sold in the 1-800-4CLOCKS Grand Central Terminal Store as well as online on its website. The quality and worksmanship of the cases for the Bulova Grandfather Clocks, all hand-made in North America, combined with Hermle Clocks mechanical movements inside, has inspired 1-800-4CLOCKS to offer most of the Bulova line. Bulova Clocks, as we understand it, purchased the design rights for all of the very highly regarded Sligh Grandfather Clocks line, which was recently discontinued by Sligh Clocks. Keep an eye out for these great Bulova Clocks home decor and office decor additions over the next 1-3 weeks.