Having a grandfather clock in the home as a child often means that a particular melody remains steadfast in your mind – a melody that carries over into adulthood when you consider making your own grandfather clock purchase so that such a melody can take its place in your own home. That, in a nutshell, is what makes grandfather clocks so unique and so very special; they are more than just clocks by which to tell the time. Grandfather clocks are a shared history for many of us – a touchstone to our own pasts and a way to deliver our own children the comfortable melody of our own childhoods.

But today, there are far more options for grandfather clock styles than there were when we were children. Through dealers such as 1-800-4CLOCKS, consumers have access to some of the most profoundly relevant clockmakers of modern times; clockmakers such as Howard Miller clocks, Ridgeway clocks, and Kieninger clocks – all of which continue to make the high quality grandfather clocks that have sat in our homes for generations. But more than that, such clockmakers are responsible for creating uniquely designed grandfather clocks that suit every modern style.

Some of the styles of grandfather clocks that consumers can expect to find through dealers such as 1-800-4CLOCKS include:

*Modern/Contemporary: Grandfather clocks are not just for those who prefer traditional designs. Today’s grandfather clocks include contemporary designs with sleek lines and sophisticated styles.

*Traditional: When it comes to grandfather clocks some consumers prefer the traditional etching, artwork, and wood that is synonymous with traditional grandfather clocks.

*Antique Inspired: Wanting antique doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy antique. There are many antique inspired designs that successfully rival the real thing.

One of the choices facing Grandfather Clocks shoppers is whether to go with one of the many mainstream grandfather clocks, the very large majority of which have hammers which strike on chime rods, or some kind of alternative.

A great alternative to consider, especially those who have both large homes and want to be able to hear the chimes loud and clear in much of the house, is grandfather clocks with Tubular Chimes. Tubular chime grandfather clocks generally come with either 5 tubes or 9 tubes. The five tube variety is almost always built to play the Westminster Chime, with a choice frequently of only gonging on the hours for the number of hours. The nine tube chime in newer clocks will almost always offer a choice of chimes, such as the Westminster, Whittington or Saint Michaels Chimes. One at a time; never all three together. Antique Grandfather tubular chime clocks are worth a special look as well, and carry their own advantages and disadvantages.

Aside from the tubular chime grandfather clock clock selection currently offered by Howard Miller Clocks, Hermle Clocks, and Kieninger Clocks, Bulova will now be offering many of its clocks with a tubular chime option.

Get ready to see some gorgeous new choices in tubular chime grandfather clocks. Bulova Grandfather Clocks with this option will soon be seen on the 1-800-4CLOCKS website, and perhaps in its Store in Grand Central Station as well.

Howard Miller J. H. Miller II Grandfather Clock Model 611-031 Limited Edition

Now you are in the market for one of those really tall standalone (against a wall) clocks, which has a pendulum swinging back and forth every second, and we even have one or more choices of chimes in addition to the hourly gong which strikes on the hour for the number of hours.  OK, so do you want a grandfather clock, a tallcase or tall case clock, or a longcase or long case clock?  The answer, to a large degree, may depend upon the Continent upon which you were raised on.

Natives of the United Kingdom and Continental Europe by and large will still refer to what Americans call a grandfather clock as a tallcase clock or longcase clock.  To put this in some historical perspective, such clocks were known the world over as longcase clocks or tallcase clocks.

It was not until sometime after 1876 when Henry Work Clay wrote the song “My Grandfather’s Clock” that grandfather clocks started to be known by that name.  The song became so popular,  particularly in the USA, to a point where nowadays a grandfather clock is the term of choice.  In merry old England and the rest of the United Kingdom, not to mention the rest of Europe, as is true with many things, tradition trumps change.   One will still hear of tall case clocks and long case clocks most of the time, frequently with the addition of the grandfather clock terminology only to appeal to a broader audience.

Interestingly, in the experience of 1-800-4CLOCKS,  many people refer to large wall clocks as grandfather clocks or grandmother clocks.  A clock really truly does need to be a Floor Clock, yet another term used to describe Grandfather Clocks, to qualify as a Grandfather Clock.  Less interesting but also noteworthy is that many people refer to grandfather clocks as granfather clocks, or sometime granfathers clocks.  We assume this must be because that is how they heard these clocks described most of the time.

1-800-4CLOCKS will in early 2008 be adding several lines of new wristwatches to its already existing assortment of timepieces, which currently include grandfather clocks, wall clocks, matel clocks, atomic clocks and many more by makers including Howard Miller Clocks, Hermle Clocks, Bulova Clocks and watches, Ridgeway, Kieninger, Movado and many more.

Antique grandfather clocks, as well as new ones by Howard Miller, Hermle, Ridgeway and others have been a staple of the offerings by 1-800-4CLOCKS.com.  On eBay, and on the web, the Company has also sold many antique clocks including grandfather, wall and mantle clocks.  Antique pocket watches have also been a consistent source of offerings, from the many American brands such as Waltham, Elgin, Hamilton to the European including Vacheron, Patek, Audemars, Movado and many others.  Repeaters have been one of many timepiece specialties, including clocks and watches.

Slowly but surely, new brands of wristwatches and pocket watches will be added to offerings.

Visit early and often to see the progress achieved over time.

A fascinating trend in time that 1-800-4CLOCKS had not observed before is the role that grandfather clocks, many frequently just given as Christmas presents, as well as ones that have been around decorating the home for years, are used as a centerpiece on New Years Eve.

At the same time that many have their televisions tuned in to watch the ball come down in Times Square, some of those same people, and many others, use or also include their own grandfather clock as a or the major time marker for counting down the hours and bringing in the New Year.

No single brand seems to lend itself more than any other toward ringing in the New Year, whether Howard Miller Clocks, Hermle Grandfather Clocks, the Ridgeway Grandfather Clock Collection, or Kieninger Grandfather Clocks. The only specific related trend we have observed is to also have an atomic clock to bring in the New Year with near-perfect timing accuracy.

Any special plans for a New Years party seated around a grandfather clock nearing midnight? Write us with any stories you think may be worth sharing!

And Happy New Year and a Healthy and prosperous 2008 to anyone who is reading this post.

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.

Many grandfather clocks, and some mantel clocks and wall clocks as well, have the words Tempus Fugit shown above or on the dial of the clock.  1-800-4CLOCKS has received thousands of inquiries over the years with questions about “My Tempus Fugit” grandfather clock. And Grandmother Clocks for that matter.  Tempus Fugit Clocks — would you pay a premium for them?

Tempus Fugit, it is important to note, is not a brand name for clocks, like Bulova Grandfather Clocks, Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, and so forth.  Tempus Fugit is simply the Latin for “Time Flies”, and is inscribed on and above the dials of many grandfather clocks.  No single clock company or watch manufacturer has the exclusive right to using the words tempus fugit. This time term is in the public domain, and can be used by anyone, at any time.

Tempus Fugit also shows up on many other timepieces, both antique and new, pocket watches, wristwatches, and sundials and even some sandtimers.

So when comparison shopping and looking for grandfather clocks discounts or any clock on sale, just remember, don’t be fooled by a bargain price for a Tempus Fugit clock.  This is another tip to shop smart and save you money while comparison shopping.