Ty Pennington, whom was born as Gary Tygert Bruton Pennington, has recently released a whole new line of clocks and furniture with the Howard Miller Clocks company. While well known by much of America as the host of the ABC TV Show Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, he is known in the United Kingdom as well for his television show Ty’s Great British Adventure, which Airs on UKTV.  He first found fame in the TV Reality Show Trading Spaces on the TLC network.

With Howard Miller Clocks, Ty Pennington has designed not only a great line of grandfather clocks, but also wall clocks, and very large or oversize wall clocks known as gallery clocks.  Some of the grandfather clocks are of a size that is small enough that they could also be considered grandmother clocks or grandmother floor clocks.  One of the clocks which we are classifying as a grandfather clock is actually a standing floor clock with a waterfall known as the Cascade Model and shown just below:

Howard Miller Cascade Waterfall Grandfather Clock by Ty Pennington, Model 615-058 615058

We are hopeful that Ty Pennington may soon design some mantle clocks.  Ty Pennington inspired mantel clocks could be a great seller, and Ty, we hope you are out there reading this and will make this happen, please.

One of our favorite more traditional Howard Miller grandfather clocks designed by Ty Pennington is the Joslin Grandfather Clock Shown below:

Howard Miller Joslin Grandfather Clock by Ty Pennington, Model 611-156 611156

We at 1-800-4CLOCKS are very excited about the partnership between Ty Penington and Howard Miller, and what it has and will mean for many lines of Howard Millers products already in the marketplace and on their way, we’re sure.

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)

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.

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

Increasingly we are seeing a trend towards people, usually very close relatives, buying really high quality grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks as housewarming gifts or homewarming gifts either for their loved ones, such as children getting married, a special anniversary, parents relocating, or simply as gifts to themselves when moving to anew home or a second home.

The gift of a grandfather clock can be highly personalized and a wonderfully creative gift idea.  Grandfather clocks have become almost traditional gifts both for couples themselves as well as present for loved ones on special wedding anniversaries or milestone birthdays when looking for the perfect birthday present or perfect wedding anniversary present.

We see the gifting of grandfather clocks becoming a new housewarming tradition, and many of our customers are also calling it a homewarming gift – a term to which we have taken a liking.

Personalized plaques commemorating special dates and occasions are just one way to make a grandfather clock or a grandmother clock be meaningful housewarming gifts to people.  Frequently, picking out a traditional grandfather clock design or contemporary grandfather clock that may be reminiscent of a clock that one of the gift recipients grew up with can be an important element in choosing a specific clock.  Many people will choice either a chain driven mechanical clock or a cable driven mechanical clock because it was the type they grew up with and made them feel most comfortable.

We find that the most popular makers of grandfather clocks for housewarming gifts are Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Hermle Floor Clocks, and the Ridgeway Grandfather Clock collection.  Howard Miller clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, and Hermle clocks, in addition to Bulova Clocks and others we sell are also very popular as less expensive but still very much appreciated housewarming gifts.  Grandfather clocks, wall clocks, mantel clocks, atomic clocks, grandmother clocks, and mantle clocks all make wonderful housewarming gifts, homewarming gifts, and special wedding anniversary presents and special birthday presents.

Clocks make great gifts for almost all occasions!

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.