This is a very tall grandfather clock order, yet we believe we have here a veritable treasure trove of information that would be useful for anyone in the market for a grandfather clock.  Whether you are thinking about purchasing an antique grandfather clock, a vintage grandfather or grandmother clock, or whether you are trying to understand the marketplace in general and whether to buy a new grandfather clock, we at 1-800-4CLOCKS are there for you both with these blogs, with many grandfather clock resources available on our website at 1-800-4CLCOKS.com, and we are always only a toll free phone call away at 1-800-4CLOCKS, and are delighted to talk with anyone who is serious about being in the market for a grandfather clock or grandmother clock, not to mention mantle clocks, cuckoo clocks, wall clocks, atomic clocks, and so much more.

We spend a lot of time to delving into the history of grandfather clocks themselves, the evolution of the major grandfather clock brands and how that has changed over time, and continues to be ever-changing.  We attempt to demystify the many features offered on many grandfather clocks, including illuminated dials, automatic nighttime shut-off, working vs faux moonphase dials and so much more.  The grandfather clock chimes are another key element that any thoughtful grandfather clock buyer will want to understand completely, and we address not only the different mechanical grandfather clock movement makers, as well as triple chime grandfather clocks vs single generally Westminster Chimes Grandfather Clocks, and when and where one might expect to see some of the less common grandfather clocks songs or chimes such as Beethoven’s Ave Maria or Schubert’s Ode to Joy.

Understanding the differences within and between grandfather clock brands, such as Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks compared to the Hermle Grandfather Clock collection, or Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, Kieninger Clocks and Americana Grandfather Clocks.  All have pros and cons, and many have big differences even within their own grandfather clock line.

We even include some of the most popular posts about grandfather, grandmother, wall, mantle, cuckoo, atomic and other clocks on our main website, which we term the Best of, like Greatest grandfather clock Hits of music, for posts that our customers and readers have found especially useful.  We have one post on our grandfather clock blog which is titled Moving Grandfather Clocks, and that page is the single most visited page on our website.  We warrant the advice for what you as a customer pay for it, which is nothing, yet we have never had a negative comment or even any suggestions for changing this grandfather clock blog greatest hit of all time.

Any grandfather clock or other timepiece subjects you would like us to cover?  Just make a Comment to this post, or send us an email, or feel free to call us toll-free.  If you want to become a grandfather clock blog contributor, that is something to which we are also always open.

We Aspire to Become As Authoritative Buying Guide for Grandfather Clocks, Wall Clocks and Mantel Clocks as Consumer Reports is in General

Given the flood of imports and the move to buy American, grandfather clocks shoppers need to be smarter and better informed than ever when deciding on a new grandfather clock, grandmother clock, mantel clock or wall clock.  Cuckoo clocks too!  Having said that, the high-end grandfather clock market has had and has many players, each with their own history and approach, and those approaches to making and manufacturing grandfather clock cases and grandfather clock movements have evolved over time.

Probably the safest way to begin your grandfather clock buying experience is to limit your choices to certain high-end brands, in which we would include the Howard Miller Clock company, Ridgeway Clocks, Hermle Clocks, America Grandfather Clocks and Kieninger Floor and Grandfather Clocks.  There are other makers, but we believe these companies are both the best and offer the best grandfather clock values to customers worldwide.  Even with that, there can be and are many differences within the grandfather clock models offered by each individual clock maker.

Most all high-end grandfather clock movements, whether tubular chime grandfather clocks, or grandfather clocks playing the Westminster Chimes, Schubert Ave Maria Chime, Beethoven Ode to Joy, or the more classic Whittington and St Michaels Chimes, or bim-bam chime, all of the high-end grandfather clock movements of any real quality and made in any large quantity are made in Germany by Hermle Clocks and Kieninger Clocks.  At this point in time, we would not recommend purchasing any grandfather clock or grandmother clock unless it was made by one of these two makers (there would be some exceptions for a very few ultra-high-end grandfather clocks with movements made in extremely small quantities).

So now we move to the grandfather clock case.  Hermle Clocks, a German maker, has recently started making some of its best grandfather clock models right here in Virginia, USA.  Hermle still makes other grandfather clock cases in Germany, and some yet still other Hermle models, while also very high quality, have their grandfather clock cases sourced from the Far East.  Unless you talk with a Dealer like 1-800-4CLOCKS, you will be clueless as to which is which.  It is also important to talk to a knowledgeable person at any clock store, because some people working there at any one time may know little or nothing about the differences between brands, much less within brands.

For Grandfather Clocks, most all of Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks and Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks have cases made in Michigan, USA, and use a German movement, typically by Kieninger Clocks.  Most all Kieninger Grandfather Clocks are made to order in Germany and the cases and movement are from Germany, as with many Herlme Grandfather Clocks.  Americana Grandfather Clocks are such an interesting story and have such a creative approach behind them, and we feel offer great value and some amazing models of grandfather clocks, that we are happy to discuss any particular Americana Grandfather Clock over the phone at 1-800-4CLOCKS (1-800-425-6257), option 1.

Of course the only measure of  the quality and workmanship of a grandfather clock can and should not be the country or countries of origin.  But is is one important part, and can help explain why certain grandfather clock makers have gone to different modes of production in their continuous effort to provide the most desirable grandfather clock models possible to the public at large.

Grandfather Clock Made in USA

Hermle Grandfather Clocks have truly evolved in recent years, and offer the discerning grandfather clock shopper a real option beyond other high-end well-known names such as Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks and Kieninger Grandfather Clocks, not to mention the Ridgeway Grandfather Clock and Americana Grandfather Clock collections.

One of the exciting pieces of news is that Hermle is now currently making some of its highest quality grandfather clocks right in the USA, albeit with the great German Hermle mechanical grandfather clock movements.  Hermle has acquired some of the designs and clock making equipment and expertise of Bulova Grandfather Clocks, Museum Grandfather Clocks, and Sligh Grandfather Clocks before then.  This is not to say that Hermle does not still make many of its clocks in Germany or other parts of Europe, or that certain other clock models may have cases which, while still certainly solid wood and very high quality, may have been sourced in different parts of Asia.

Hermle had pioneered the Hermle Grandfather Clock Autowind Movement, which the company used to offer as an option with many of its clocks.  These autowind grandfather clock movements could still be wound manually, were cable driven, and would last for 8 days on a single winding.  Yet grandfather clock owners and buyers were given the option of plugging these grandfather clocks in, and after a certain number of days, the grandfather clock movement would rewind itself, bringing the 3 weights back to their highest position in the grandfather clock case.  Sadly, Hermle discontinued making the grandfather clock autowind movements or offering it as an option beginning 2-3 years ago.  So after we sold our last Hermle Autowind Grandfather Clocks, they were no longer available to the public or made by Hermle, or any other grandfather clock manufacturer for that matter.  Perhaps ironically, grandfather clocks tradition and traditional grandfather clock styles triumphed over the new electro-winding technology that Hermle Clocks offered.

Which is not to say that Hermle Grandfather Clock offerings have cut corners in any other areas.  The quality of their cases, while varying by price and style, and still on par with the best makers of grandfather clocks.  The grandfather clock options, such as automatic nighttime shut-off, tubular chime grandfather clocks, triple chime grandfather clocks, chime-silence options, rotating moonphase dials, choices of both cable driven grandfather clocks and chain-driven grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks are all still offered.  Hermle Grandfather Clock Curios as well are worth a special look.

Also still offered are both traditional grandfather clock styles and more contemporary grandfather clocks.  Hermle definitely makes heirloom quality grandfather clocks that, like those made by Hermle in the Black Forest before them, should with proper care and maintenance certainly last for many generations to come and one day be a treasured antique grandfather clock.

Hermle Grandfather Clocks are absolutely worth looking at seriously whether looking for grandfather clocks on sale, grandfather clock discounts, or just looking for the best grandfather clocks available today.

Hermle Grandfather Clocks

Heirloom Quality Grandfather Clock Brands – such as Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Americana Grandmother and Grandfather Clocks, Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, Kieninger Floor Clocks and Hermle Grandfather Clocks.

Mechanical Grandfather Clock Movements – understanding the differences between and within mechanical grandfather clocks is critical to knowing what you are buying, even if you thing you are getting the greatest grandfather clocks discount or the best grandfather clock on sale, a smart shopper should always know the pros and cons of what they are purchasing.  We take the time with our customers, either in one of our stores or by calling us toll-free at 1-800-4CLOCKS (ext. 1), so they understand the many variables.  These include grandfather clock movement makers — the 2 best of which (making movements in any real quantity) are Kieninger Clocks and Hermle Clocks, both German companies that have been in the clock business for at least 100 years.  Cable vs chain-driven grandfather clocks are but one of many elements to consider in the purchase of a grandfather clock.  Grandfather Clock Chimes are also crticial, including knowing what one’s choices are, and how they might sound, whether consider one or more of the Westminster Chimes, Ode To Joy, Ave Maria, Whittington, St Michaels or Bim Bam grandfather clock chimes.

Grandfather Clock Cases – are you looking for a traditional or contemporary grandfather clock.  Do you know the different styles of traditional grandfather clocks, including grandfather clock cases with a swan’s neck pediment or split pediment, a bonnet top, a rectangular top, or something else.  With contemporary grandfather clocks, one will have even more choices, including type of grandfather clock case material, shape, style patterns, ans so much more.  Is a solid wood grandfather clock case important to you?  Is it important to you as a grandfather clock shopper to have a grandfather clock case made in the USA or somewhere else?  Should it be?  How do grandfather clock cases vary within and between brands?

Grandfather Clock Quality – nowadays especially in North America, some of the best known and largest, as well as medium to small size, retailers are selling what could or should only be described as grandfather clock imitations, because while they may look good, they are essentially junk that most all buyers will be very sorry they ever made to begin with.  Typically they are modeled after some of the best-selling models of the best makers in the business, such as Howard Miller Clocks and Hermle Clocks, but just about the only similarity is in the initial visual impression, or even more accurately the picture online and on the outside of the box.  The cases are typically junk.  The movements are also horrible.  They will not last long, if at all.  the sound quality bears no resemblance to anything we would ever sell.  Sometimes assembly may even be required without any prior notice.  It is quite sad how many telephone calls we get from people who have purchased these clocks at, say, __________ (insert one of largest most famous retailer names here) , and their grandfather clock is not working, and can we help them.  In turns out there were frequently no instructions, no clue as to the maker, and the Retailer will not accept a return because the item is already out of the box.  Sadly, they will not even make good firewood.

Grandfather Clock Features – High-end grandfather clocks may come with one or many features, including as examples illuminated grandfather clock dials, rotating or faux moonphase dials, auto night shutoff, chime-silence options, volume control, single chime vs triple chimes, battery operated grandfather clocks, visible movements in grandfather clock cases, subsidiary seconds dials, and we hope soon an atomic grandfather clock or grandmother clock.  The features list only continues …

New vs Antique Grandfather Clocks — this is a very basic decisi0n which some grandfather clock shoppers may think about more than others.  We cover this subject in great depth here and at ClocksBlog.com as well as on our own 1-800-4CLOCKS.  If one wants the most features, no hassles, minimal maintenance, and the fanciest looking clocks, one will generally do much better than buying an antique grandfather clock.  Equivalent antique grandfather clocks would be significantly more expensive, if one can find them, and unless someone wants a true collectible, which many antique clocks shoppers do, one will pay a lot more and take many moire financial and other risks in purchasing an antique grandfather clock.  We sell both new and antique clocks, and this is an oversimplifications, but basically accurate.

There are so many more subjects which would need to be covered in a complete Grandfather Clock Guide, but if you look at the other posts here on this blog and on our website, you will likely find the answer to your question. We are also likely to continue this Grandfather Clock Guide in this form over time.

Grandfather Clock Guide

Established high-end clock-makers like Howard Miller Clocks have cleverly avoided the debate by referring to all the biggest clocks they sell as Floor Clocks, so the question never even comes up, or at least is answered, by looking at Howard Miller marketing materials.  Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks and Ridgeway Grandmother clocks also avoid that same dubious distinction with Ridgeway Clocks also referring to their clocks as Ridgeway Floor Clocks.  Hermle Clocks only sold grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks by advertising them all as Floor Clocks.  Very recently, within the last year or so, Hermle Clocks has started to term their floor clocks all grandfather clocks, leaving it to their clock customers and Authorized Hermle Clock Dealers to make any distinction they so choose.  Kieninger Clocks has also followed a similar method as Howard Miller, with all of their largest clocks being named Kieninger Floor Clocks unless their Authorized Dealers, like us at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com, choose to advertise and point to certain models in-store as Kieninger Grandfather Clocks and Kieninger Grandmother Clocks.  Given the ownership between Howard Miller Clocks, Kieninger Clocks, and Ridgeway Clocks is all jointly owned, it is not terribly surprising that Howard Miller Grandfather Clock might be described similarly by Ridgeway Clocks and Kieninger Clock as Ridgeway Floor Clocks, Howard Miller Floor Clocks and Kieninger Floor Clocks.

Grandmother Clocks will typically have mechanical clock movements similar or identical to grandfather clocks.  Grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks will also typically have the same clock chimes, with Westminster Chimes being the most popular, and triple chime grandfather clocks which most frequently also include the Whittington Chime and St Michaels Chime.  Sometimes the triple chime floor clocks might instead include Beethovens Ave Maria or Schuberts Ode to Joy, as the 2nd or 3rd chime options.  These are invariably almost always on cable-driven grandfather clocks and cable-driven grandmother clocks.  Chain-driven grandfather clocks and chain-driven grandmother clocks will generally have a single chime, almost always Westminster Chimes, and will also generally have fewer of what might be considered “bells and whistle” features and grandfather clock extras or options like automatic nighttime shutoff, illuminated grandfather clock dials, rotating moonphase dials, and lit cabinets.

Now are there some unique grandmother clock designs which would lead us to classify certain floor clocks over 80 to 82 inches in height  to actually be grandmother clocks, and the answer is absolutely yes.  They would include the grandmother clock design as the basic framing clock categorization element.  Having said that, there are also certain floor clocks below 80 to 82 inches in design they we would think might be better termed grandfather clocks.  This is especially true for antique grandfather clocks and antique grandmother clocks.  Are the floor clocks or tall case clocks which we think could or should reasonably be considered to be called either or both of grandmother clocks and grandfather clocks?  The answer is an unequivocal yes, and for parallel logic reasons already highlighted above.

At 1-800-4CLOCKS, we were also proud to have introduced (and trademarked) several years ago grandson clocks™ .  As many readers of this clock blog will undoubtedly know, granddaughter clocks have been around for centuries and have become part of the clocks and horological lexicon.  Most simply put, they are much shorter than grandmother clocks and grandfather clocks.  We expect and hope that grandson clocks will one day be as widely known and the clock definition and term as widespread in use.

We also at 1-800-4CLOCKS make an effort to make shopping for relatively short grandmother clocks or relatively taller grandfather clocks to be relatively easy by having created separate categories for grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks.  While on the one hand this initially confuses some of our clock shopping customers in that they see the same clock under 2 categories, customers quickly recognize that this is much easier than calling the same clock by different names.  See for yourself by visiting the following 2 links below each picture:

New Grandfather Clocks

New Grandmother Clocks

Not only are actual clock shops a dwindling yet hopefully not dying breed – we at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com were forced to close our NYC Grand Central Station Clock store location not for economic reasons but simply because of changing times and needs for existing spaces, and the lack of affordable comparable retail space available, especially with more and more competition from companies similar to ours like us who also have a web-based presence in addition to one or multiple home store locations.

A challenge has been to try attempt to bring as much of the home store shopping experience to the internet, while at the same time maintaining our retail store presence for our more local geographic market.  When a customer is considering one of several high-end Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks or a Ridgeway Grandfather Clock or one of Hermle Floor Clocks, there is a natural inclination to want to see and hear and touch the actual grandfather clock model one is considering purchasing.  At the same time, ironically, we find that a good percentage of grandfather clock shoppers, even those who are searching for grandfather clocks on sale and discount grandfather clocks are frequently the same people who are most in need of a genuine education of the different types on grandfather clocks, the major clock brands, the ones to stay away from at all costs, the differences within individual grandfather clock makers separate from traditional grandfather clocks vs contemporary grandfather clocks, and also the various features, the types of grandfather clock movements, including single chime Westminster Chimes, and Triple Chime Grandfather Clocks, which mostly include the Whittington and St Michael Chimes, but sometimes also Beethovens Ode to Joy and Schuberts Ave Maria.  There are also grandfather clock, mantle clock and wall clock movement differences including tubular chime grandfather clock movement vs cable driven movements and chain driven movements, and even quartz or battery operated movements which nowadays are used in all clock types.

So what is a grandfather clock shopper to do?  Fortunately, in some ways, with careful vetting, researching and locating the grandfather clock or mantel clock or wall clock of your dreams nay be made much easier with trusted internet sites and credible knowledgeable individuals who will be there to answer honestly both the simple and the more complex questions about any clock purchase, whether it be Howard Miller, Hermle, Kieninger, Ridgeway or another, and whether a grandfather clock, grandmother clock, mantel clock, gallery wall clock, atomic clock. novelty clock, and especially antique clocks and antique grandfather clocks, one of our specialties.

To us, as they used to say in grade school and clock school, there truly is no such thing as a stupid clock question, and it is in our DNA and everyone who works with us to attempt to be as informative and patient as possible with any and every prospective customer, whether they end up buying from us or not.  Our policy for years has been to ever work on a clock sales commission basis, and we find some flabbergasted customers when we occasionally tell them for whatever the reason that we think they are better off buying the clock we are discussing at another dealer or even from another individual person.  Of course we need to make money to stay in the clock business, yet we are also driven both by a love of clocks, and seeing that same clock love in the eyes of our customers and helping them with the clock or clocks that will most help make their space or that of a loved one more special to them.

So grandfather clocks online or bricks and mortar clock shopping, or some of both, we strive to give clock customers all the tools they need to make the best decision for them, their families and other gift recipients.  One of our favorite telephone calls to get, even if a sale or non-sale takes 2-3 months to play out, is that I think I want a grandfather clock but I do not really know anything about them.  What can you tell me?  We think even Aristotle would have enjoyed those clock discussions as much as we do.  Perhaps one of the children of the writer of this post, who both have as one of their life’s goals to build a working and reusable time machine, will enable us to test this clock theory and hypothesis.

Howard Miller J. H. Miller II Grandfather Clock

Model 611-031 611031 Limited Edition Tubular Chime Howard Miller Clock by Howard Miller Clocks

Antique clocks always present a special challenge to market in a catalog, as any experienced auction house knows.  There is almost always just one of the antique clocks or watches for sale, so listing these timepieces with a fixed price can create many headaches.  Yet at the same time, despite the currently appearing ubiquitous presence of auctions online and off, from eBay to Christies to Sothebys, many buyers and sellers prefer the old fixed price antique market model, much like one would find in a fine antique clock and watch shop.

Many readers of this blog post, the fifty and over generations, will remember to some degree the old Sears and Roebuck Catalog, that literally set the standard for the catalog direct marketing revolution that it began.  Even the Catalogs themselves became collector’s items, as did reprints of the original Sears Catalogs.

However, fast-forward one hundred years into the future, meaning today, and the web and individual websites like 1-800-4CLOCKS.com have taken over as the modern-days Catalogs of choice.  New grandfather clocks and wall clock collections can be added daily.  Grandmother Clocks on backorder can be noted as such so grandmother clocks on backorder will not disappoint customers.  Complete new lines and brands can be added in a day.  Consumer expectations about the customer shopping experience have gone through the roof, as grandfather clock shoppers and those searching for wall clocks discounts and mantel clocks on sale expect that anything they see on a website for sale is absolutely in stock.

Grandfather clock makers such as Howard Miller Clocks, Ridgeway Grandfather Clock Collection, Kieninger Clocks, and Hermle Floor Clocks are much better then ever before about providing more current inventory data.  Yet at the same time, this grandfather clock, wall clock and mantle clock data will not be real time.  And some clocks, including Kieninger Grandfather Clocks and wall clocks and mantle clocks, and some of the Hermle clock models, including Hermle Grandfather Clocks and Mantel and Wall Clocks can have a 2-4 month lead time and are generally considered prepaid custom orders.  This is hard to communicate either in an old-fashioned direct marketing catalog and even in a great website like the one we have at 1-800-4CLOCKS.

1908 Sears Roebuck Catalog Sold Grandfather Clocks and Watches

The good news is that with the advent of the internet, we are able to offer both selection and savings never before imagined even 20 years ago.  More choices, higher discounts on the best grandfather clocks, better pictures of each clock, and even the ability to hear a specific clock chime and offer supersize pictures can all really recreate the grandfather clock gallery shopping experience.  A tradeoff is that many fewer of us bricks and mortar-type stores are surviving, especially as new and competing technologies are vying for some of the same shopping dollars that were previous spent on grandfather clocks and wall clocks.  Not only can one see the current time on most any personal computer or MacBook, but also on iPhones and other mobile devices including the Samsung Galaxy.

Having said that, there is nothing that competes with the old world charm of a grandfather clock or wall clock or mantle clocks, whether a new or antique clock.  A grandfather clock is truly the heartbeat of the home.

To illustrate how we handle this, below is a slightly edited email exchange we had very recently with a prospective grandfather clocks customer who had some very thoughtful questions.  First the individual’s question, and then our answers following that below:

Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2013 6:00 PM
To: sales@1-800-4clocks.com
Subject: Placing Orders

Hello.  I live in the _______, Texas, area and am interested in a specific grandfather clock on your website, Howard Miller Elgin Grandfather Clock 611-190, for $3,237.50.  It appears your site makes ordering simple and easy, and I see good reviews of your company.

However, there is a local clock dealer with a similar price on this clock, and they claim they can set up and service the clock.

Your site states free shipping and free in home setup.  Who does the in home setup, and is it a complete setup or just placing the clock where I want it located?  And if at some point I need service under warranty, who can help me with this?

I do appreciate any clarification you can provide.

John Doe

And our response to this prospective customer follows below:

Hello John Doe –

Thank you for your thoughtful email.

Here is the way we find works best for our customers:

1.       Shipping – In this case, given the logistics, we would ship to you a “factory fresh” brand new (no “seconds”) Howard Miller Elgin Grandfather Clock direct from Howard Miller’s main warehouse in Michigan (where they are headquartered).  We find that if a clock ships only once it minimizes the potential for any shipping damage (and we make sure you are covered 100% … can address separately).  So you know you are getting a brand new factory fresh grandfather Clock from an Authorized Dealer.

2.       Delivery – We use one of Howard Miller’s preferred shipping providers, and they will call you to set up a delivery appointment.  They are required by contract with us to offer an agreed upon 4 hour time window, usually 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm Monday thru Friday.  They will never just show up at your doorstep.  As part of delivery, they:

a.       Will bring the grandfather clock in its original factory container
b.      Put it where you will want to keep it in your home
c.       Completely unpack the clock – which at that point is fully assembled except for the weights at the pendulum being attached
d.      Take away the Container and the fillers, unless of course you want to keep them

3.       Set-up – We make sure all the grandfather clock set-ups (98%+, and no issue in your area) are done by a Howard Miller Authorized technician who is local to you.  We contract with the technician, and then get you in contact with each other.  These individuals are all certified by Howard Miller, and are all great.  We call you first to tell you the person’s name and contact information, so that you do not have a stranger calling you “out of the blue”. [We ask that you call us after the clock is delivered, so that we can arrange for the grandfather clocks set-up usually within 1-3 days of delivery.  Additionally, we discuss what to do if there are any problems of any kind with the delivery, to make sure you are “1000%” covered].

4.       Ongoing maintenance and warranty – Any Howard Miller grandfather Clock purchased from us has the full Howard Miller Warranty of 2 Years.  We are pleased to add an additional Year to any customer who requests it.  If you like the technician who set up the clock, that could be your contact for future maintenance (if you have any problems within the Warranty period, your best bet as the very first step in any event would be to call us first at 1-800-4CLOCKS  — true for all our customers).  Additionally, we can provide you with a list of additional Howard Miller Authorized Service Centers and Technicians in your area, so you would always have that as a resource in any event.

So in summary, we can provide everything a reputable local Authorized Howard Miller dealer could provide, with free shipping, free FULL in-home set-up (by a Howard Miller Authorized Technician … and a contact list of other Howard Miller certified technicians in your area who could also provide any service wanted in your area), no sales tax, an Additional 3^rd Year of Warranty, and be only a phone call away should you have any issues or problems, which we can certainly get resolved locally to you.

Hope this helps.

Please feel free to call or email me directly with any additional questions or concerns.

Kind regards,

Customer Service

America’s Top Grandfather Clocks Shop™

p.s.  thought you might possibly be interested in an article that appeared about us (as one topic) in a not so recent New York Times article, which can be seen at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/04/garden/04ape.html?ex=1304395200&en=9f2c3971bbba85d8&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss

Tel. 1-800-4CLOCKS (800-425-6257) [OPTION 1] and cell is 212-WATCHES (212-928-2437)

Both Hermle and Kieninger make and offer their own brand of clocks, in addition to selling their clock movements, including mechanical wall, grandfather clock, grandmother clock, and mantel clock movements to other makers, including over the years Bulova Grandfather Clocks, Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Sligh Grandfather Clocks, Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, Americana Grandfather Clocks and others.  The movements offered are generally speaking, and in our opinion, fairly comparable in quality, although sometimes that needs to be examined on a clock-buy-clock basis.  Both offer mechanical movements with chimes including Westminster, Whittington, Ave Maria, Ode to Joy, St Michaels and Bim Bam chimes.  The movements with either brand, for grandfather clocks, can be cable-driven or chain-driven, have an automatic night silence feature or not, be time only or time and strike, or single chime, usually the Westminster, or triple-chime clocks.  The clocks may have a working moondial, a faux or fake moonphase dial, or none at all.  A chime silence option is offered on most all, but not all, grandfather clocks, wall clocks, grandmother clocks and mantel clocks movements made by each of Kieninger and Hermle.

Kieninger has been around for almost 100 years, so some of their earliest clocks, including early floor clocks by Kieninger, can be considered antique grandfather clocks and antique grandmother clocks.

One unusual aspect of Kieninger Clocks is that almost all of their models are made to order in Germany AFTER an order in placed with an Authorized Kieninger Dealer like 1-800-4CLOCKS in the USA.  The lead time between when an order is placed and when it is actually delivered is generally 2-3 months.  All orders are considered Custom and once an order is placed is cannot be canceled.  Generally, when a customer expresses an interest in a particular clock, the Authorized Dealer needs to check with Kieninger in Germany to ensure that all the component parts are available and advise if there may be any timing issues in that regard.

Sounds a little difficult, time consuming, and a lot of patience is required.  Given the number of ultimately satisfied customers who end up purchasing a Kieninger Clock, the wait and cost appear to be well worth the time and money.

Kieninger Grandfather Clocks

Sligh clocks were well made grandfather clocks, with most of their grandfather clock line being reproductions on antique grandfather clocks that the Company found especially appealing and/or salable.  The parent company, which still exists today, is Sligh Furniture.  However, Sligh exited the grandfather clock market perhaps 10 years ago and no longer makes any SlighGrandfatherClock.com .  The grandfather clock cases were generally well made with solid wood grandfather clock cases, and the movements were generally German, mostly mechanical movements made by Hermle Clocks.

Some time after Sligh exited the grandfather clock market, the American Clock Company Bulova Clocks bought, as we understand it, not the company per se, but rather the design rights to the same models that had been manufactured by Sligh.  Additionally, the same manufacturing facility was still available to Bulova for many of the Sligh Grandfather Clock models.  So Bulova Grandfather Clocks were born, or rather reborn, with the old new or new old Sligh models.  That lasted for about 5 years, with many beautiful well-made grandfather clocks being sold made by Bulova and branded as Bulova Grandfather Clocks being sold by us among other leading high-end grandfather clock retailers.

The grandfather clock history for Sligh and Bulova gets even more confusing as time goes by.  After Bulova exited the marketplace, many grandfather clock retailers, including 1-800-4CLOCKS, continued to sell our inventory of Bulova Grandfather Clocks, and we still have fewer than a handful remaining.  To simplify the history from here, we will only highlight select but relevant details to us.  1-800-4CLOCKS was fortunate enough during this time period to offer many of these same models, made the the same people with the same movements in the same cases, and keep them “alive”, and they were branded Museum Clocks™ Grandfather Clocks.  The Museum Grandfather Clocks line by Museum Clocks™ was successful and we were happy to be able to offer these great American made clocks with German mechanical movements to the public when they might not otherwise have been available.

Another more recent development is that Hermle Clocks actually purchased the semi-independent manufacturing facility that had been manufacturing solid wood cases for Sligh, Boluva and Museum Clocks™.  It has enabled Hermle Clocks to offer their “Made in America” Hermle Grandfather Clocks line, which is a great grandfather clock line and one which we sell proudly.

Any questions?

Hermle Made in America Grandfather Clocks