What if you actually gave customers a choice of ordering the very same grandfather clock model, but in either solid oak, solid cherry or solid mahogany.  And then the clock would be available for shipment 2-3 weeks later.

With our newest line of grandfather clocks, very soon to be introduced on our 1-800-4CLOCKS.com website as the newest Museum Clocks™ Grandfather Clocks Collection, which in many cases will be able to be offered in a choice of solid wood Oak, Cherry or Mahogany, or with a Black Satin finish.  In some cases, even though the large majority of our business is to individuals purchasing grandfather clocks as opposed to selling as more of a grandfather clocks wholesaler, in some cases we may require a minimum special run of 10 clocks if it is not a grandfather clock that we stock or make routinely.  We may be willing the carry the grandfather clocks inventory of 9 for ourselves in those cases, so it never hurts to ask.  Just now, we are making a very special order of 2 tubular chime grandfather clocks using the highest quality mechanical 8 Day German grandfather clock movement available, and in an amazing solid wood traditional grandfather clock case with a split pediment and wonderful inlay on the case.  We will also be offering some Museum Clocks™ Grandmother Clocks.  And do not forget about our previously introduced – and we expect a new run soon of our very own Grandson Clocks™.

We still plan on offering our selection of Howard Miller grandfather clocks, Hermle Grandfather Clocks which include their own Made in America series, Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, as well as Kieninger Grandfather Clocks on special order.  Very astute observers will notice some similarities between our new Museum Clocks™ Grandfather Clocks, and both the old Bulova Grandfather Clock Collection and those Floor Clocks made as Sligh Grandfather Clocks, neither of which are still produced today or in recent years.

Any special wants for a grandfather clock?  A special reproduction of some amazing grandfather clock, or a rare grandfather clock you may own.  It just might end up as the newest introduction of a Museum Clocks™ Grandfather Clock.

Museum Clocks™ Grandfather Clocks from 1-800-4CLOCKS.com

1-800-4CLOCKS.com has always carried only what it considers to be the highest quality grandfather clocks, the large majority of which have high-grade German mechanical movements.  While the cases, while also of the highest quality for their price points, are sometimes not solid wood cases with the same type of wood throughout of the finish in the grandfather clock description.

We know there is an increasing desire, if at can be delivered at good grandfather clocks value price points and discounts, for solid wood clocks, which may have the highest-end German mechanical movements, but also have the cases made in North America.

Before Christmas shopping season with all the attention to grandfather clocks on sale and grandfather clock discounts, we will be introducing two new lines of the highest quality grandfather clocks with solid wood cases of the type of wood described that will be as pleasing to the eye as they are to one’s wallet or purse.

Museum Grandfather Clocks™ will be one of these new lines.  While we have sold clocks under this brand before, these designs with be all new for our label, and will have more choices of the type of solid wood, such as solid cherry, oak or mahogany, in the same exact design.  We also will be able to ship these clocks with 3-4 weeks of a confirmed order being placed, which means on average an additional 1-2 weeks for free delivery and in-home set-up across the Continental USA.   We look forward to being able to share these clocks in general and on our website in the coming days and weeks.

The other main introduction along these lines is the Hermle Grandfather Clock Made in America series, which will also feature solid wood clocks with cases made in North America and Hermle Clock’s fine German movements.  Until we have more specifics on these grandfather clocks, which should be available very soon, that is all we will share for now.

Finally, we are excited about introducing and adding the Americana™ Grandfather Clock Collection to our line.  These grandfather clocks will add another super high quality selection to consider when deciding between the above makers and the more familiar-sounding Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks and Ridgeway Grandfather Clock Collection, as well as Kieninger Grandfather Clocks.  While Bulova and Sligh Grandfather Clock models are no longer made by those respective companies, you will see that we will be offering many but not all of the more popular grandfather clock designs, with comparable quality and worksmanship, in other parts of our complete grandfather line.  That is something that a prospective customer may want to call us about at 1-800-4CLOCKS (1-800-425-6257) to pursue or better understand the grandfather clock design possibilities that may be presently available.

All in all, look for some great new grandfather clock models to be introduced and added to our line in coming weeks and in time for the Christmas Holiday shopping season.

Example of quality of Museum Grandfather Clocks

What is the value of my grandfather clock?  This is one of the most frequently asked questions, or FAQs, we receive, particularly by telephone.  More often than not, the caller will have little or no available information about the grandfather clock, or even the markings that may appear of the grandfather clocks dial or face or on the back of the clock movement.

Our general advice in valuing the replacement cost of a grandfather clock is to find the most comparable grandfather clock we currently have for sale.  Sounds easier than it is for many people.  Aside from the grandfather clock brand or maker, most people do not know the difference between a chain-driven grandfather clock (which is wound by pulling down on the usually 3 chains in the waist of the grandfather clock to bring up or effectively therefore wind the weights) and a cable driven grandfather clock (which is wound in the dial or face).  Then there is the question of whether the clock is a single chime grandfather clock, generally with the Westminster Chime (like the one in the Big Ben Tower Clock in London’s Parliament building), or a triple chime which generally includes the Whittington and St Michaels chimes, or very occasionally, the Schubert Ave Maria and Beethoven Ode to Joy clocks chimes.

Then there is the condition of the grandfather clocks both inside and out.  Most people who want a grandfather clock value don’t even know if their clock is in good working condition, or whether it has all of its grandfather clock parts.  Can you imagine trying to attain the value of a car without even knowing if it is in working condition!

The age of the grandfather clock is also critical.  A true antique grandfather clock, one that is over 100 years old, will have varying degrees of additional intrinsic value based on its maker, what we will call its inner substance, including the quality of the grandfather clock movement, and what special grandfather clock features it may have, such as nested bells, spiral gongs, tubular chimes, mercury pendulums, rocking ships or other grandfather clock automata or unusual features.  Some antique grandfather clocks or grandmother clocks have 30 hour movements vs an 8 day movement, which generally makes them less valuable.  Occasionally one may come across a grandfather clock regulator that may have a 30 day movement.  Who made the clock, whether it is all original, and whether and where it was signed by the maker also can make a huge difference.

There are many inquiries where people somehow expect us to telepathically tell them the worth of their grandfather clock.  It is not possible.

An inherent conflict of interest can also be present when individuals ask us to do grandfather clock appraisals.  How can we appraise a grandfather clock when we might also be making an offer to purchase the clock.  This is stark conflict of interest to which we or any reputable arts or antiques dealer needs to draw clear boundaries.

But thanks for asking us about the value of your grandfather clock.

Which grandfather clocks are the best? Who is considered the highest-end manufacturer of grandfather clocks?  Is there a big difference between brands?  What about German mechanical grandfather clocks with movements made by Kieninger or Hermle — is one better than the other?  What about the difference between grandmother clock and grandfather clocks?  And cable driven floor clocks vs. chain driven grandfather clocks?

These are all great questions, and by far the lions share of questions come in about Howard Miller grandfather clocks, or is it Herman Miller grandfather clock the name – this is a question we still get almost daily.  Grandfather Clocks by Howard Miller Clocks are by far the best known grandfather clock name out there, and generally speaking have enjoyed the reputation as being the highest end of any grandfather clock makers who produce grandfather clocks in any quantity.  Certainly not far behind, and logically on a par, are Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, which was an independent grandfather clock company, but was purchased by Howard Miller Clocks about 8 years ago, and in recent years have had both the cases and movements made in the same places and have used the same German Kieninger grandfather clock movements for comparable models.  Essentially these Ridgeway Flooor Clocks are simply different models of the same clocks made by Howard Miller, but with the Ridgeway Clocks name on the dial instead of the Howard Miller Clock name on the face of the clock.

Hermle grandfather clocks are, we believe, on a par with the quality and worksmanship of Howard Miller and Ridgeway Clocks.  All of their higher-end models use cable-driven mechanical movements made in Germany, with Hermle Grandfather Clocks having their own German Hermle mechanical movements inside.  Hermle and Kieninger mechanical grandfather clock movements are extremely comparable.  Kieninger Clocks is nowadays owned by Howard Miller Clocks, while interestingly, Howard Miller used to have only Hermle mechanical movements in their own grandfather clocks.  Sligh grandfather clocks and Bulova Grandfather Clocks have also has the German made Hermle mechanical movements in their grandfather clocks.

Chiming mechanical grandfather clock movements are also comparable whether one is comparing Hermle Grandfather Clocks, Ridgeway Floor Clocks, or the Howard Miller Grandfather Clock selection.

Hermle Floor Pendulum Clocks and mantel clocks and wall clocks is a company and name with a tremendously long and rich history, making clocks since the mid-1800s.  Many antique grandfather clocks still around today were made by Hermle.  Today,  Hermle grandfather clocks are a choice and serious grandfather clock or grandmother clock shopper should look at when considering alternatives.  When looking at grandfather clocks on sale, and at discount grandfather clocks, it’s always a good idea to see what specials are going on for each of these brands.  The good news is that one really cannot make a bad choice when choosing any of a Howard Miller, Hermle or Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks.  On other grandfather clock makers, stay tuned for further developments.

Press Release.  We have some exciting grandfather clocks news to report.  As background, the Sligh Furniture Company stopped making Sligh Grandfather Clocks perhaps 6 to 8 years ago.  Then about 5 years ago, the Bulova Grandfather Clocks Company, a division of Bul0va Clocks, bought the design rights to the Sligh Grandfather Clocks, and continued to make many of the same grandfather clock models made by Sligh, only with the Bulova name.  Now stick with this, because it gets complicated and is quite interesting.  When Bulova began introducing many of the same Sligh Grandfather Clocks models with the Bulova clock name, the clocks were identical, and made by the very same people in the very same place with the very same materials in the very same location.  These Bulova grandfather clocks, in addition to being identical to the Sligh grandfather clocks as described above, also used the identical German-made Hermle movements that had been used in the comparable Sligh Clocks.  Then, about 6 months ago, Bulova clocks itself decided to exit the grandfather clocks market place.  Currently, we at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com have only a handful of the Bulova grandfather clocks in stock.

Now for the exciting new grandfather clock news.  The company and individuals that actually made the clocks both for Sligh Gramdfather Clocks and later Bulova Grandfather Clocks has just shared with us that they will very soon be introducing many of the same grandfather clock models made earlier by Sligh and Bulova.  Not only that – they will also be offering new designs of grandfather clocks, and some of the same previous designs but also for the first time in a choice of wood and finish.  These grandfather clocks will still have the same German Hermle mechanical grandfather clock movements, and will still be made by the same people in the same place that the Bulova and Sligh grandfather clocks were made.

We presume that many of the grandfather clock models, especially when the same grandfather clock model is offered in, say, oak or cherry or walnut, will in some cases require a special order with some lead time for grandfather clock construction and delivery.

Some of the nicest floor clocks made by Bulova are of the size that they can be considered grandmother clocks or grandfather clocks.  Tallcase and Long case clocks that straddle roughly the 80 inch size in height are what we use as the defining characteristics of free standing weight driven pendulum clocks that can be termed grandmother clocks or grandfather clocks.  Floor clocks is another common term used to describe both, as is Hall Clocks.

These clocks will also offer an excellent alternative when grandfather clock shopping to Howard Miller grandfather clocks, Hermle grandfather clocks, the Ridgeway grandfather clock collection, and the special order Kieninger grandfather clocks.  For those that may be wondering, and we get this question quite frequently, Seth Thomas is no longer making grandfather clocks, and new Seth Thomas grandfather clocks have not been made or sold for well over a decade.

Another wonder feature of many of the old Sligh grandfather clock designs is that many were reproductions of antique grandfather clocks.  Some of them had pretty incredible and historic grandfather clock designs.

We can also expect these grandfather clocks to be offered with both the Westminster Chime, as well as many models also having the traditional grandfather clock triple chimes, which also include the Whittington and St Michaels option built in.  This sometimes confuses customers, but the triple chime grandfather clock means that the individual clock purchaser can listen at any one time to any of the three grandfather clock chimes.  The grandfather clock comes built in with all 3 clock chimes (NOTE: one has to be careful about when and how to switch from one chime to another, following the owners manual carefully and never ever switching a chime, or even moving a grandfather clock hand, when the clock is about to or is or just finished chiming its grandfather clock melody or gongs counting the hour or hours).

We look forward to bringing you new information on these new grandfather clocks for sale, as soon as we know more that is worth sharing.  We also expect to be able to offer grandfather clock discounts on these clocks, with greater grandfather clocks discounts than usual, because we will be selling these clocks to you direct from the manufacturer.

Bulova Clocks, known informally both as the Bulova Clock Company and Bulova Watch Company, has pretty much exited the grandfather clocks marketplace. We are deeply disappointed with Bulova’s decision to stop manufacturing these high quality gorgeous grandfather clocks.

Bulova took over the designs of the Sligh Grandfather Clock Company, also known as Sligh Furniture, when Sligh itself decided to exit the grandfather clock marketplace several years ago. Sligh had a great reputation in the business, and Bulova carried on with the same quality and worksmanship in the making of these Floor Clocks, with the same German mechanical movements made by Hermle and with the cases being made in Canada.

There still are other makers of grandfather clocks with many many offerings of super high quality grandfather clocks, including Howard Miller Clocks, the Hermle Grandfather Clock Collection, Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, and Kieninger Clocks. All of these high-end mechanical grandfather or tall case or longcase clocks have mechanical movements that are German, and have solid wood cases of excellent quality. They offer both cable driven and chain driven weight driven grandfather clocks. At a lower price point, they also offer quartz or battery operated grandfather clocks.

We hope another grandfather clock maker will take over many of the design, and perhaps even use the same manufacturing facility-plant in Canada to keep making these great clocks. It is worth noting that Sligh had made some clocks many years ago which were wonderful reproductions of other classic clocks. While that may be wishful thinking, perhaps these much older designs could also be brought back to life.

We will continue to be an Authorized Dealer for Bulova Mantel Clocks and Bulova Wall Clocks. As we will for Bulova wristwatches and Accutron watches and Wittnauer wrist watches and Caravellenwrist-watches as well.

Our assumption is that Bulova, with a history more in wristwatches and watches than clocks, wants to focus more on its core competency in wrist-watches.

Bulova, it is not too late, and we hope you will change your mind and stay in the grandfather clock business for many years ahead.

Bulova Villa Grandfather Clock Model G0801

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.

In more modern grandfather clocks, there are 3 major categories of grandfather clocks with related movements, which are cable driven grandfather clocks, chain driven grandfather clocks, and quartz grandfather clocks, which are battery operated (there is also a tubular chime grandfather clock which has yet a different movement, but these clocks, while perhaps the most collectible, are the least collected because of their high price tag — so not addressed in this post).

The finest of the 3 movements, in our opinion, is the cable-driven mechanical clock. These magnificent timepieces, especially when the movements are made by the leading German movement makers Hermle and Kieninger, can in our experience expect to have a true heirloom life expectancy of 50-100 years with proper care, literally spanning several generations. The movements are generally 8 days, so winding once a week keeps then running continuously. The chime quality is the best because one actually hears the hammer striking the chime rod on each note. And cable driven movements can come with many bells and whistles, such as automatic nightime shut-off options, and many have triple chimes, with 2 in addition to the Westminster Chime. The downsides are there is no volume control for practical purposes, and grandfather clocks with these movements tend to be the priciest, though within a wide price range.

Grandfather clocks with chain-driven movements have some advantages and disadvantages as well. The movements themselves are smaller, so they are generally put in smaller cases, resulting in grandfather clocks with less height and depth than average. Many are attached to chain-driven clocks for sentimental reasons, especially if one grew up with one in one’s home. They are generally less expensive. They are also mostly 8 Day Movements, so if one “winds” the three weights by pulling down on each of the 3 chains once a week, the clock will run continuously. The only downsides we see with this type of movement are that the associated grandfather clocks do not generally have the same “bells and whistles”, e.g. automatic nighttime shutoff, or a moving and working moonphase dial. Perhaps the biggest downside in our experience is that the lifetime expectancy on a grandfather clock with a chain-driven movement is perhaps roughly half of what it might be for a cable-driven grandfather clock movement — in our experience maybe 25-50 years for a chain-driven grandfather clocks vs. 50-100+ years for a cable-driven grandfather clocks.

Now quartz grandfather clocks, which are battery operated, have a separate set of pros and cons. The pros are they are the least expensive to purchase, they have volume control, most have auto-night shut-off, and one does not need to remember to wind one! The cons are that the cases tend to be not as nice as those grandfather clocks housed with mechanical movements, and the sound of the chimes is not as good as with a mechanical grandfather clock. The reason for that is with a quartz grandfather clock one is actually listening to the chimes on a sound chip, and it has a higher pitch and “tinnier” sound. In our experience, a high quality quartz movement for a grandfather clock might be expected to last 10-25 years.

The good news for all 3 of these types of clocks is that the movements can either be repaired or replaced, even many many years later (we will go out on a limb here, be futuristic, and say they should be available for the next 100+ years, if a replacement movement is needed). Proper care and maintenance of a clock, including a “check-up” with cleaning and oiling every 5 years, is a must to preserve the longevity of your clock. When parts where out, and they will, there is always the question of whether it is cost-effective to simply replace the movement, or to fix the worn or broken parts, e.g. worn pivots or a broken wheel.

Quartz movements are generally most cost efficient to have replaced. They are inexpensive. With cable driven and chain-driven grandfather clocks, one really needs to look carefully at the pros and the cons of each action, with a special focus on the cost and likely longevity factor weighing in with either choice for a grandfather clock. Currently, there would not seem to be a reason to keep the clock “all original”, but tell that to the kid who’s mom threw out his old junk baseball card collection in a house clean-up. The conventional wisdom and collectibility factor could be a set of changing rules over time.

Have a grandfather clocks service center that you trust makes all the difference. We might also recommend getting 2 opinions if that is possible in your situation.

If one is horologically inclined, one could even order a new movement directly from an authorized supplier, such as Merritts.com or BlackForestImports.com. One needs all the numbers and markings on the back of the clock to be most certain-likely to get the “exact” or close to exact movement.

Any specific grandfather clocks questions or comments, please feel free to post them here at GrandfatherClocksBlog.com, operated by 1-800-4CLOCKS.com.

In the current economic climate, which we believe firmly is just beginning to emerge from the recession (and yes, we do have a credible Economics background), discounts and sales are something that are increasingly on the minds of grandfather clocks shopper and other shoppers just about everywhere.  Thankfully for our industry, despite this latest and longest downturn in our lifetime, we find many individuals, or rather they find us, who view clocks and timepieces as purchases important enough not to be put off until a time that might be more convenient financially.

Most certainly, customers are inquiring more about the 12 month zero & financing we offer on grandfather clocks and all new clocks which cost $1,000 or more.  And yes,we have wheeler dealer types who come into our shop and call us and try to get the best deals possible.  It’s human nature, and it is especially smart of them in this recessionary time period.

We have certain discounts available which with some manufacturers we are severely discouraged from being price aggressive online.  Others less so.  But so many of our clients are return clocks shopping customers that it has fortunately become less of an issue.

Interesting, and sadly, two of our biggest competitors in the New York City area are gone and it does not appear as though they will be resurrected.  One is the Astor Club, long-known for selling both pianos and grandfather clocks.  The other, much better known, is Fortunoff, which has gone into Chapter 11 for a second time in a year (as we understand it), and this time, as we understand it, it is likely gone for good.  Sad, because it was truly a great store in many ways.

Someone has even suggested to us that with Fortunoff’s demise, we should change our tag line to 1-800-4CLOCKS.com, The New Source?

All you time travelers and collectors and clocks enthusiasts, please let us know.

On shipping a boxed grandfather clock with a freight common carrier, from our experience, the biggest 3 potential problems to prevent are (a) the box-container falling, or (b) pressure-weight being put on-to the box-container from any side, especially above, or (c) the clock not being in an upright position, or on its “back” as a less good secondary alternative (but potential benefits too – see below).

From a positioning standpoint, the best practice in to make certain that the grandfather clocks stands upright during the entire trip, and doesn’t move OR have any pressure applied from any side. If it can’t be shipped standing up, then it can be shipped with the clock’s back facing down (any other than these 2 positions – upright, or on its “back” – would very likely damage the clock). If the clock is on its back, they need to again be careful not to apply weight on top of it or to its side’s, or to let it move around.

For added safety, you-they could always crate it, recognizing that is not inexpensive. They-you might also want to put it on a pallet (using one of 2 positions mentioned above – upright or on its back – ONLY), but that also would add cost.

While 1-800-4CLOCKS is pleased to provide this type of potentially useful advice, PLEASE USE THIS ADVICE AT YOUR OWN RISK.  When packing or shipping individual grandfather clocks, there is always some risk.  We welcome feedback and wil gladly add any additional comments that are helpful or constructive.
They should also have experience in this area, as well as the Shipper they use, so we would also make certain to follow their guidelines and rules and suggestions, and to the extent they might conflict, feel free to ask us our opinion so you can decide what’s best.

Feel free to forward this information to your shipping company if you think it would be helpful. Let us know if they do not agree and or have any additional suggestions on how to most safely ship a grandfather clock.