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

“I would like to buy a Herman Miller grandfather clock, or do I mean one of the Howard Miller grandfather clocks?  I am sorry, I know the two names don’t have anything to do with one another, one, Herman Miller, making high quality furniture mostly for offices, and the other, Howard Miller, known mostly for their grandfather clocks, mantle clocks and wall clocks.  Sorry I confused the two, now which is which again.”

The above dramatization between Herman Miller Clocks and Howard Miller Clocks may seem a bit exaggerated, but not by much, and we have had thousands of similar or derivative conversations with grandfather clocks shoppers in particular.

Howard Miller was the son of Herman Miller.  Howard Miller joined the Herman Miller company, and as we understand it, was drawn early on into fusing the beauty of fine wood furniture and clock mechanisms.  We have seen Herman Miller Grandfather Clocks, Herman Miller Mantle Clocks, and Herman Miller Wall Clocks. The Herman Miller Clocks were made with electric, early battery, and winding mechanisms.  We have one special very early Herman Miller Mantle Clock and Barometer and a thermometer, in a highly unusual wood case that was likely made in the 1920s.  We have in the inventory of our retail stores Herman Miller Mantel Clocks and Wall Clocks, including a Herman Miller Banjo Clock.

As a young man, Howard Miller left his father’s well known and then well established Herman Miller Company, and opened up the Howard Miller Clock Company with a headquarters and manufacturing facility literally just across the street in Zeeland, Michigan, where the two companies are still headquartered and located today.  Both individuals have passed on, but family involvement and ownership has continued at Howard Miller Clocks.  And Howard Miller, while sticking to its core competencies in mechanical grandfather clocks, both cable and chain driven, and keywound chiming wall clocks and mantel clocks, and many clocks with quartz alternatives, they have also ventured more into furniture, including collections by Ty Pennington, and many curio cabinets, wine cabinets and bars, bar stools, and more recently, Howard Miller Home Furniture of many many different types, including bedroom furnishings and furniture.

So now you know — Herman Miller was Howard Miller’s father!

“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)

When looking for high quality grandfather clocks and good grandfather clock discounts, many customers are unsure as to where to turn to get a good or great discount.  Also, many grandfather clock shoppers don’t know the difference between the different types of grandfather clock brands, nor do they know which brands are best.  Grandfather clocks features can cause a conundrum much of the time as well for grandfather clock shoppers.

At 1-800-4CLOCKS.com, we take the time to talk to customers about all of the above, in a very low pressure way, so that they feel they can make an informed and intelligent choice about their floor clocks or gift-giving selections.  At the same time, with our everyday low price guarantee, consumers and organizations can be sure they are getting a good deal.  We also throw in a lot of extras to make the sale both an even better deal and to make delivery and set-up and initial and future operation of grandmother clocks and grandfather clocks as easy as possible.  We want customers to come back time and time again, which many do, and to recommend us to their friends and family, which many also do.

One sad development in recent years, which we see accelerating likely both because of the current economic state and the giant Far East factory production, is a flooding of the marketplace with inferior grandfather clocks.  Some of these clocks are carried and sold by large, well known, and highly regarded chains of department stores and specialty stores (we can’t name names for concern of being sued).  Some of these sub-standard grandfather clocks have model names that are the same model names of clocks made by high-end manufacturers, and the names make them “sound” like well-known long-established brands.

Sadly, we get many calls from customers about their XYZ grandfather clock, and we know right away they have purchased a clunker.  The clocks have no paperwork, nothing about whom to contact if there is a problem, no hint at where they were made, etc.  In a word, these customers are, excuse the term, screwed.  And there is nothing we can do to help them with their “lemon” except to suggest they buy a quality grandfather clocks next time — something we know they don’t want to hear, at least no right then.  A grandfather clocks word to the wise.

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 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.

We have seen a surge in demand for wall clocks by hospitals.  Interestingly, many of these heath care facilities have asked us to customize a specific clock to their needs.  Sometimes the wall cocks are used in just about every patient room in the hospital, and sometimes they are used for very special purposes.

We have been pleased that we have been able to meet this growing need, including a growing interest in and demand for atomic wall clocks.  We have also learned about some hospital procedures that we were frankly unaware of,  including the fact that there are units staffed by individuals in hospitals whose functions include documenting the exact time and place of a patient’s death.  Not too surprisingly, these units have wanted to have atomic wall clocks, which were bolted to moving carts, so that they could record the time of death with great precision and less room for any challenge by any third party for whatever reason.

One type of wall clock NOT popular with hospitals, which is not surprising, are wall clocks which include the weather or indoor temperature.  The hospitals don’t want to hand a piece of information that may in many instances be used as a source of a request — e.g. can you lower the temperature of this room, or can you raise the temperature of this room, the wall clock says it is 50 degrees, or whatever, in here.

Below are examples of two atomic wall clocks that have been extremely popular with hospitals over the last couple of years:

Howard Miller Murrow Wall Clock Model 625-259 Atomic Wall Clock

Howard Miller Techtime III Wall Clock 625-429 Atomic Wall Clock

We are waiting for a large order from hospitals of grandfather clocks, such as Howard Miller grandfather clocks, or Ridgeway grandfather clocks, but so far it has yet to materialize.

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

Which is the best maker of grandfather clocks?  This is a question we are asked almost daily.  It is a difficult question to answer, both because there is so much cross-ownership in the world of grandfatherclocks, and because there are so many criteria to take into account when comparing both within single grandfather clock brands as well as between the various grandfather clocks brands.

One “fact” seems simple, and least in the opinion of the writer of this blog post.  Based on overall perception and awareness by consumers and organizational buyers of grandfather clocks, Howard Miller grandfather clocks have the most overall awareness, and are perceived by most — the large majority, is our sense — as being the highest end grandfather clocks maker.

We should point out that the mechanical grandfather clocks we sell all currently have high-end German movements, made either by Hermle (whose grandfather clocks movements were used by Howard Miller Clocks exclusively before they purchased Kieninger about seven years ago) or Kieninger (which also makes its own branded Kieninger Grandfather Clocks).  To complicate matters of comparison further, Ridgeway Clocks (which is owned by Howard Miller Clocks) also currently use Kieninger Clocks movements in their Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks.  And just when you thought you had a grasp on the high-end grandfather clocks market, one should be aware that Bulova Grandfather Clocks have been using high-end Hermle Clocks movements, and not surprisingly, Hermle Grandfather Clocks use Hermle grandfather clock movements.  Also, Bulova Clocks, in recent years, has been making grandfather clocks using the Sligh grandfather clocks designs with Hermle grandfather clocks movements, as Sligh Furniture used to do before they exited the grandfather clocks marketplace.

All of these grandfather clocks makers use solid wood cases, at least for their wooden vs.wrought iron or stone waterfall grandfather clocks.

If you know think you understand the high-end grandfather clocks market, just wait 2-3 months.  It will no doubt continue to be a somewhat wild grandfather clocks ride.