Clocks themselves are one of the first human inventions; an invention that has obviously stood the test of time and since evolved to reflect the changing technology as well as the needs of consumers. Grandfather clocks – one of the variations of this invention – were first created in late 1600s, a product of an English clockmaker’s creation of pendulum technology. The first grandfather clocks were created using painstaking detail and the highest quality materials. These materials – along with the time intensity needed to create the grandfather clock – drove the price; and early grandfather clocks were typically created only for public locations.

When grandfather clocks first came to America, they were still used mostly in public arenas; their use in private homes was limited because of price. In fact, only the wealthiest of Americans could afford to have a grandfather clock in their home.

Today, grandfather clocks are certainly much more affordable. High end manufacturers such as Howard Miller and Kieninger continue to create the high quality grandfather clocks that have earned the industry’s reputation through the generations. But these suppliers use high end materials and create unique pieces that are still affordable for the average American home. Balancing this quality with affordability is the challenge of the modern grandfather clock manufacturer. But by making sure that these spectacular pieces are affordable, clock manufacturers can ensure that the average household has access to these time honored pieces.

Connecting these manufacturers with their customers are high end online suppliers. Such suppliers offer great prices, phenomenal selection and the opportunity for all consumers to have access to the clocks they love.

The grandfather clock is something very different from the portable mantel clocks that grace the shelf above our fireplace or the wall clocks that hang in our kitchen or living room. A grandfather clock is a piece of solid furniture; that which anchors a room, reflects the homeowner’s own personal style, and elevates the décor to something grand and finished.

Because of its internal system, and its height, the grandfather clock requires periodic care to ensure that it is working at its optimum level. But in caring for your grandfather clock you are ensuring that it will last as long as it was designed to last – which could be hundreds of years as it is handed down through your family.

Grandfather clock owners should always follow specific cleaning instruction set forth by the clock’s manufacturer. It is generally advised that the handling of the weights and pendulum be done by a professional, as any movement or damage caused in the cleaning process can impact the clock’s timekeeping abilities. Exterior cleaning can be done by the owner with a soft cloth and non-chemical cleaners.

Owning a grandfather clock is an investment your home – as well as an investment in the future. By caring for them properly you are doing all you can to protect your investment.

Grandfather clocks have been in existence for generations, often taking up residence in homes as a traditional way to mark time and enhance a room. The grandfather clock – also known as the longcase clock – can set the tone for an entire room, and even an entire home. Their often ornate exteriors are created in a variety of styles by some of the modern world’s most renowned clock makers such as Howard Miller, Kieninger, and Ridgeway.

What many people may not be as familiar with are those clocks known as grandmother clocks. Essentially, what separates grandfather clocks from grandmother clocks is size; those standing clocks that average five to just under six feet are referred to as grandmother clocks, while those clocks that are six feet and over are known as grandfather clocks.

What differentiates the grandfather clock and the grandmother clock is also what unites them; clocks of this stature are certainly unique. Rather than just sitting a mantel clock on a shelf or hanging a wall clock in a kitchen or living room, those who bring a grandfather clock into their home are essentially committing to a piece of furniture. Beyond just telling time – ringing in the hour with the chime that is unique to them – a grandfather clock becomes a part of the family, meant to last a lifetime.

When wading one’s way through a grandfather clock purchase, especially if it is for the one and only for one’s home or office decor, many savvy and thoughtful buyers of clocks are torn between antique grandfather clocks and new grandfather clocks by companies such as Howard Miller Clocks, Kieninger Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, Bulova Grandfather Clocks, and more.

It is not an obvious choice, even for those interior decorators and individuals looking to make the so-called correct choice. Antique Grandfather Clocks have obvious appeal because of their potential rich history, generally solid construction, potential fascinating features, usually costing a lot more, which make the clock stand out (e.g. a mercury pendulum, or automata on a antique grandfather clock).

Many clocks experts would also say, and we would agree generally, that if one shops very carefully for an antique grandfather clock, and finds one that is or has the relatively easy potential to be in good working order, has provenance, ideally, and one purchased at a good price, an antique clock will likely, in our opinion, be a better long-term investment.

There are, however, 2 key facts which 1-800-4CLOCKS would advise customers to also consider - and remember we sell both new and antique clocks. The first, and by far most obvious and talked or written about, is that a new grandfather clock, such as a Howard Miller Grandfather Clock or Kieninger Grandfather Clock, will generally arrive with no problems, and relatively speaking, much lower maintenance costs in the years ahead. There is also the much decreased risk that one my be buying a lemon antique grandfather clock which becomes a bottomless pit for restoration and repair. In this regard, buying an antique grandfather clock is not that much different from buying a used car or vehicle. One should have an expert by their side, or at least weigh in based on a solid facts foundation.

The 2nd fact which we see as an ever-increasing change in the years ahead is that more and more so-called antique grandfather clocks one finds for sale will actually be counterfeit reproductions. While this trend has yet to truly reach the mass market, at least with grandfather clocks, we expect it will, and will grow stronger and more powerful, in the next one to five years.

So whatever you do when you are shopping for a grandfather clock, be sure to do your homework, and hopefully as or with a skilled expert by your side.

The last post in this blog addressed many of the newer features in high-end grandfather clocks, such as auto night shut-off, the introduction of more chimes, and lit dials.  See the post just below for more on this.

We are very interested in any feedback that our readers may choose to either post or email to us, as to what other new features might make for either better grandfather clocks choices and shopping, or make you and people you know more likely to buy a grandfather clock.

Some examples of features we have thought about and heard include:

1. Atomic Grandfather Clocks, using Atomic Clock Radio Controlled technology, for most accurate keeping of time

2. Ability to make mechanical chimes louder and softer.

3. Ability to order a specific clock with the chime or combination of chimes of your choice.

4. Ability to record your own personalized chime.

5. Choice of “same” model but in different wood choices, such as cherry, oak, maple for otherwise same models.

6. Choice of same grandfather clock model and choice of coordinating color of pendulum, weights, bezel, and even cable wiring for cable driven grandfather clocks - such as in nickel or chrome instead of brass.

7. Importance of price in your purchasing decision.  If drastically lower prices are offered for grandfather clocks, would more of the same types of grandfather clock shoppers be open to purchasing them even if they were not branded with the clock brands they know most well.

Feedback on these points would be valuable to everyone in the industry, shoppers and manufacturers and retailers alike.  Please share your thoughts when you have the time.

With Election season really beginning to heat up, it would appear to be a good time to highlight the AMAZING line of Howard Miller Presidential Series Grandfather Clocks.  These Clocks, such as the Howard Miller Eisenhower Grandfather Clock pictured below, are generally grander and more ornate than most of the other collections by Howard Miller.  Also especially worthy of note and time looking into is the Howard Miller Ambassador Collection of Grandfather Clocks.  Finally, the Limited Edition Howard Miller Clocks are a site to behold as well, some of which cut across these other of these categories.

The five grandfather clock chimes, including Westminster Chimes, Whittington, Saint Michael’s, Shubert’s Ave Maria and Beethoven’s Ode to Joy are now ALL (finally) available on the 1-800-4CLOCKS website for the clocks that play them.

While looking at Howard Miller, there are many other fine makers to explore as well, including Hermle Grandfather Clocks, Kieninger Grandfather Clock Collection, Ridgeway Grandfather Clock Series, and Bulova Grandfather Clocks.

Look at and enjoy these great timepieces which make absolutely wonderful heirloom gifts which will last for many generations.

Howard Miller Eisenhower Grandfather Clock from Presidential Series Model Number 611-066

When comparing the thousands of choices of new grandfather clocks available, it is well worth contemplating how today’s clock time offerings offer a much wider variety of Grandfather Clocks, including Contemporary Clocks designs, Furniture Trend Designs, Mission Style Grandfather Clocks, and even the recently  introduced Waterfall Grandfather Clocks.

To be sure, one can find a grandfather clock that is likely to be very similar to the clocks owned by your ancestors, or by the friends or relatives of houses nearby that you got your first real experience with a grandfather clock.

A new day has dawned in clock design, and now it is reasonable to say there is almost something for everyone (whether it is affordable or not for some-many-most is still open to question).  New designs include chrome and silver plated nickel. Non-traditional shapes and sizes, many of which are true feats of design, offer a smorgasborg of options from which to choose.

Grandmother Clocks have also experienced a renaissance, with many many more styles available from which to choose.

And the chimes ….. Most grandfather clocks used to be only time and strike, with Many Westminster Chime clock chimes as well being out there.  Nowadays, clock chime choices include but are not limited to the  Westminster Chimes, Whittington Chimes, St Michaels Chimes, the Schubert Ave Maria Chimes, and Beethoven’s famous Ode to Joy.  Listen and be amazed!

     Howard Miller Model 615-052 Oasis Water Fountain Clock

Whether you are planning for your home grandfather clock, wall clocks, mantel clocks, or even atomic clocks, you may or may not be aware of the changes afoot this year as to when we return to Daylight Savings Time. After President George W Bush signed the Energy Policy Act of 2005, it was planned that 2007 would be the year that Daylight Savings Time would be effective with clocks moving back one hour the first Sunday in November (vs. week earlier in prior years), which is November 4. Daylight savings time in the Spring now moves forward an hour on the second Sunday in March. The 2 am local time change remains the same.

The stated goals of the energy policy is to increase energy savings and increase workplace productivity. Some more cynical analysts have theorized that this change is simply a rouse by the powerful Candy Lobbying Industry to sell more Halloween Candy (we are remaining neutral on that point ).

Not every USA State is adopting the new law, though 48 are, Only Arizona and Hawaii are leaving their clocks alone.

There is no doubt that some confusion took place last weekend, when people’s habits and/or systems were still operating under the old time rules. Even this week software companies are sending out patches to help make the transition this weekend be a smooth one.

One great Safety Tip - every time the clocks are changed back and forth for Daylight Savings Time is an excellent opportunity to ALSO change the batteries in your Home and Office Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detector. Better safe than sorry! This life-saving tip has been brought to you by 1-800-4CLOCKS.

A question asked of 1-800-4CLOCKS almost all the time is how often to both oil and clean my mechanical grandfather clock. There is no question that oiling and cleaning at appropriate intervals both make the grandfather clock run more smoothly continuously throughout its life, and increase the clocks longevity. Without oiling and cleaning at defined times, not only will the grandfather clock not perform as well over time, but the life expectancy of the movements, or at least certain critical parts inside, will most certainly be shorter.

Having said the above, 1-800-4CLOCKS also gets many requests for oiling kits, and each time the person is asked if they know what they are doing when it comes to oiling a clock. The simple reason is that if one puts too much oil in or on the grandfather clock, or in the wrong places on the movement, one can really cause a major problem for the clock in the present and the future.

Just as you want to make sure you or your auto mechanic know what they are doing when working on your car, you want to know that whomever is servicing your clock is not just randomly “throwing oil into an automobile engine.” The analogy of a car’s engine to a grandfather clocks movement is not a bad one — both have inner metal workings in need of both oiling and cleaning.

OK, so how often!!??!! We will tell you what is generally recommended by 1-800-4CLOCKS for high-end mechanical grandfather clocks like Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Hermle Grandfather Clocks, Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, Bulova Grandfather Clocks and Kieninger Grandfather Clocks. Oiling is recommended every 2-4 years, and a complete cleaning every 5-8 years. The same for Antique Grandfather Clocks and Grandmother Clocks. Many experts will recommend more frequent oiling and cleaning of grandfather clocks. Few will recommend much less over time. It is suggested, however, that any time your mechanical grandfather clock is appearing sluggish or losing time (or has stopped running, as an extreme example), a cleaning and or oiling may be in order (after ruling out more obvious causes, e.g. leveling your clock, or making sure it is in beat).

With proper maintenance, a grandfather clock will last many many lifetimes, and will be a treasured heirloom that can be passed down to future generations.

Howard Miller Shreveport Triple Chime Grandfather Clock Model 610-790