Should one purchase a new grandfather clock?  What about a so-called used antique grandfather clock.  Antique grandfather clocks are used grandfather clocks, are they not?  Are the floor clocks made in the last 20 or 30 or 50 years as good as the new grandfather clocks made today, by such makers as Howard Miller Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, and Hermle Clocks.   Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Ridgeway Floor Clocks, and Hermle Grandfather Clocks and Grandmother Clocks are among the most popular high-end brands on the market today.  Interestingly, these same grandfather clock makers have each been manufacturing grandfather clocks for nearly a century or more.

So what is an educated grandfather clock shopper looking for the best selection and savings to do?  When considering new vs. used grandfather clocks, we think it is best to compare “apples to apples”, meaning to compare for example a new howard miller grandfather clock to a pre-owned or used howard miller grandfather clock, or a new hermle grandfather clock to a pre-owned hermle grandfather clock.  Given the many thousands of makers of antique grandfather clocks and antique grandmother clocks, trying to compare a new or used howard miller grandfather clock to an antique grandfather clock would require the comparison of a dizzying array of details which would be at best difficult to compare.

So should one seriously consider buying a pre-owned or used grandfather clock, such as a howard miller grandfather clock.  We would suggest the same caution a smart shopper would or should use when considering shopping for a new or pre-owned automobile.  The most basic tenet being sure one knows what one is purchasing, and ideally also getting a “no lemon” guarantee or a guarantee that lasts for a meaningful amount of time.

The risk is that one buys a money pit, and throws good money after bad in trying to get one’s grandfather clock, whether made my howard miller or ridgeway or hermle or kieninger, to run as well as it did when it was new, and to have the longevity that would come with a new grandfather clock.  Also like automobiles, if a grandfather clock is not well cared for, one will end up paying a lot more over time in grandfather clock maintenance and for grandfather clock repairs.

At 1-800-4CLOCKS.com, we have to date resisted the temptation of offering pre-owned or used howard miller grandfather clocks that would also come with a warranty we would offer, as but one example of offering used grandfather clocks.

But as with most things in life, we are keeping our grandfather clock options open.

When one thinks about buying one the best types of grandfather clocks available, the term black forest grandfather clocks frequently leaps to mind.  The Black Forest region of Germany has for centuries been known as a center for high quality clocks of all kinds, including wall clocks and mantle clocks, but probably best known overall for black forest cuckoo clocks.

The wood harvested from trees is the black forest region of Germany is especially well suited for carving, and many many thousands of craftsmen have become expert in carving spectacular clock cases, most notably for Vienna regulators and German cuckoo clocks.

Interestingly, Germany, perhaps not coincidentally, became a center for some of the finest clock movements and mechanism makers, including companies like Gustav Becker Clocks, Winterhalder Hoffmeier, Franz Hermle Grandfather Clocks, Schneider Cuckoo Clocks, Kieninger clocks, Junghans clock company and many others.

Today, there are really only two makers of high-end mechanical grandfather clocks that manufacture movements in any quantity.  One is the Hermle Clock company, which also makes its own line of grandfather clocks, which can legitimately be thought of as Black Forest Grandfather Clocks, and the other which is Kieninger Clocks, which are used today in Howard Miller’s mechanical grandfather clocks, as they are in Ridgeway grandfather and grandmother clocks and Kieninger Floor Clocks.

Interestingly, before Howard Miller Clocks purchased Kieninger Clocks several years ago, they used to have only German made Hermle movements in their mechanical grandfather clocks.  After purchasing Kieninger, Howard Miller gradually began swapping out their grandfather clock models with German Kieninger grandfather clock movements instead of the German Hermle grandfather clocks movements.

And they can all be considered Black Forest Grandfather Clocks, at least as it relates to their mechanical grandfather clock movements.

When shopping for a grandfather clock, most grandfather clocks shoppers look only at brand new floor clocks, recognizing that if they purchase a high quality grandfather clock, such as those made by Howard Miller Clocks and Hermle Clocks and the Ridgeway Clock Company, the grandfather clock will have all of the features they might reasonably want, and there should be immediately be a working grandfather clock which will peform all of its functions, including timekeeping and chiming, with little chance of breakdown for many years.

When one is considering an antique grandfather clock, one has to be both very knowledgeable about not only the authenticity of the grandfather clock, but also its inner workings, functionality, and restoration or maintenance that may be required.  Buying an antique grandfather clock without the benefit of expert input can be compared legitimately to buying a used car when one knows nothing about cars and their inner mechanisms or how to spot signs of previous accidents, changed engines, and more.

While we love antique clocks, and have sold many hundreds if not many thousands of them, a respectable honest clock dealer should be very up-front about all the issues that currently do or soon may accompany the grandfather clock.  There are two big risks.  One is that the antique grandfather clock or antique grandmother clock that you are buying may not be all original, known in the clocks trade as a marriage, and therefore may be relatively worthless as a collectors item.  The second biggest risk is that one may be finding themselves being the proud owner of a grandfather clock project, which may not only be a money pit, but also a time pit as well.

If one goes into purchasing antique grandfather clocks with the right kind of knowledge and eyes wide open, it can be a tremendously rewarding experience.  The same holds true for antique wall clocks, and mantle clocks antique as well.  But no what you are getting yourself into.

The other trade-off to consider between antique grandfather clocks and a new, say, Howard Miller grandfather clock, is that at the same price point, one will get an infinitely more fancy case and wordwork, and many more features such as auto night shut-off, a working moonphase or moondial on the clock, westminster chimes or even triple chimes, and perhaps a lit dial or lit cabinet.  If all of these features existed on a comparable antique grandfather clock, the cost would likely be 10 times as much as the price for the new Howard Miller Clock or Ridgeway Grandfather Clock.  Many antique grandfather clocks and simply time and strike only, with the grandfather clock gonging on each hour for the number of hours representing the time.  One important difference in this regard is that most antique grandfather clocks will have a strike volume that may well be five to ten to twenty plus times higher than modern day cost.  The other factor to consider is resale value, with antique clocks, while requiring much more due diligence and perhaps investment of time and money, they are generally speaking, if one gets a good deal, more likely to be a good financial investment.  This is simply our opinion based on historical observations, and any single case may be different now, and most certainly so in the future.

The terms Floor Clocks is essentially synonymous with grandfather clocks and grandmother clocks.  Longcase clocks, as they are also known, have a free standing case, with rectangular shaped waist, almost always in wood, with a swinging pendulum and one to three weights.  The chiming mechanical grandfather clocks play Westminster chimes most frequently.  Floor clocks with triple chimes most frequently also have a choice of the Whittington Chimes or the St Michael’s Chimes.  In recent years, Howard Miller has introduced mechanical grandfather cl0cks that also play the Beethoven Ave Maria and Schubert Ode to Joy Chimes in addition to the Westminster Chimes, also known as the Big Ben Chimes.

Grandmother Clocks, simply put, are simply shorter versions of grandfather clocks, which may also include signature designs such as being thinner.  Yet grandfather clock height, with the dividing line we generally use being eighty inches, in where one may cross the height line between grandmother and grandfather clocks.  It is worthy of note that many other experts may use different height, or even trait, definitions of the distinctions between Floor Clocks known as grandmother clocks and grandfather clocks.

Granddaughter Clocks, which are generally much much smaller, maybe two to four inches in height, have also been popular at different points in clock and horological history.  At the time of this writing, it is really only antique granddaughter clocks that one is likely to find for sale.  None of the major high-end grandfather clock makers, including Hermle Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, Bulova Clocks, and Howard Miller Clocks offer granddaughter clocks for  sale.

It is worth noting here that 1-800-4CLOCKS introduced successfully Grandson Clocks™ a couple of years ago.  In some ways these may be similar to miniature grandfather clocks, but are generally larger than most all of those miniature floor clocks.

Which term do you prefer?  One of the above?  How about Hall Clocks, also used by many high-end makers including Herschede Grandfather Clocks, or Tall Case Clocks, a term used particularly in England and to a lesser extent in Western Europe in general.  Let us know your thoughts.

We at 1-800-4CLOCKS.com get many requests for varying forms of customization of grandfather clocks.  Some are easy, such as adding a engraved brass plaque strategically placed on the grandfather clock.  Others are much more involved, with customers wanting to use corporate logos on dials, or even of the pendulum of the grandfather clocks.

We must always be careful that whatever trademark of a logo, whether it be of a cartoon character, university, corporation, major baseball league or NFL or PGA, that we either have the requisite permissions and/or that we are not violating any trademark or copyright laws when we produce custom grandfather clocks.  The same holds true when we are making customized wall clocks, custom office clocks, atomic clocks, or mantel clocks.  The same rules apply as for a custom grandfather clock.

As most readers would imagine, individuals can be quite creative when coming up with ideas for customized grandfather clocks.  Pictures of loved ones on the dial, a sketch of an individual on the pendulum bob, wedding anniversary pictures — the perfect wedding anniversary gift — pictures of the bride and groom to be, or shortly afterward with an actual wedding photo can be the ideal wedding gift.  Then there are grandfather clocks with cartoon characters, company logos, individual names, and many other variations.  Grandfather clocks with customized sounds or voices, or even custom clock chimes, is a request we get quite often.  We may one day be able to meet this market need, but not as of yet.

Many organizations use the customization of grandfather clocks or mantle clocks in particular as recognition awards, sales achievement gifts, years of service award, retirement gifts, corporate party gifts, incentive awards, and for promotional incentives or specialty gift prizes.

How creative can you be in the design of a one of a kind grandfather clock?  Grandfather clocks are a gift that can be treasured by generations, and an interesting of effective customization could help in making the floor clock or grandmother clock even more of an heirloom quality special piece of furniture than it ever otherwise could be.  Tell that one to your interior decorator or when consulting with your interior designer on your home decor.

1-800-4CLOCKS.com is very pleased to announce the introduction of Rhythm Clocks, complete with videos of the Rhythm Wall Clocks and Rhythm Mantel Clocks in motion.  Our only regret is that Rhythm has yet to make Grandfather Clocks, as far as we know.

For those of you who have not seen Rhythm Clocks in action, you will likely be amazed if not mesmerized by the sight, movement, and sounds that these Rhythm Clocks make.

Take a look at this link which features this clock.  Beneath the photo of the clock, you will see a video with a built in player where you can see and hear this clock on our very own website:

Rhythm Grand Encore Legend Wall Clock

Click on this link to see this  and other Ryhthm clocks in motion, with moving images and sound, on our website at    http://www.1-800-4clocks.com/Rhythm-Clocks-Grand-Encore-Legend_4MH834WB06

You might also want to take a look at our Animated Clocks and novelty clocks, including the Simone Cat Clock and the KitCat Clocks, dog clocks, a Felix the Cat Clock, and even a Betty Boop wall clock.

And please do not forget to look at our extensive collection of Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, Floor Clocks by Hermle, and a great selection of wall clocks and mantle clocks and atomic clocks by Howard Miller.

Nowadays, grandfather clocks and accurate timekeeping are taken for granted by many.  So are electricity, plumbing, travel by Air and Rail, land-line telephones, heating, running water, air conditioning, television and movies, cell phones, computers. and even iPhones.

But let’s step back in time almost 500 years, back in Italy and the Town of Pisa, where a young child was to soon come up with many theories which would help shape science and technology for centuries to come.

Galileo Galilei, more often simply known as Galileo, is viewed by most people as the father of astronomy.  Less well known is that he is considered by many to also be the father of pendulum clocks and grandfather clocks.

Galileo grew up in Pisa, Italy, as an apparently bored teenager attending Church, he noticed Church lamps swinging in the wind, and he hypothesized that their apparent swinging pattern suggested that something like a pendulum, which had yet to be invented, could correctly keep time in a consistent and reliable way, and more accurately than the verge escapements which were used in the very earliest pocket watches and emerging clocks in the 1500s.

Since the dawn of civilization, human beings have been striving for ways to track and keep time more and more accurately.  Before clocks, the movement of the Sun, as well as the moon and the stars in the heavens, were tracked with patterns all geared towards not only being better able to track time, but also the Seasons, and the tides for Ocean travel.  The Ancient Sumerians used the Sundial and divided the day and night into segments measured in hours.  Cleopatra’s Needle was one method used by the Ancient Egyptians to divide day and night, and the day into defined blocks of time.  Hourglass and Sand Timers were used for many centuries as a way to mark the passage of specific periods of time.

In approximately 1582 is when Galileo first witnessed the swinging motion of the chandelier in the Pisa Cathedral, and correctly thought the swinging motion could be sustainable and an accurate way to measure time.  His great revelation was recognizing the property of isochronism, which is that regardless of the length of the swinging object or pendulum, the time taken to go back and forth was equal time intervals in each individual case.  Galileo also correctly calculated the mathematical impact of having pendulums of differing heights and pendulum bobs of different weights.  One of the first practical applications of his theories was the development and invention of the Metronome.

In 1641, Galileo sketched out what is widely believed to be the very first design for a pendulum clock.  Although neither he nor anyone else at that time built a working prototype, it is fair to credit Galileo, based on his designs, with the invention of the first freestanding floor clock or grandfather clock.

Many grandfather clock historians will credit Christiaan Huygens, who in 1673 published the first widely seen theories of pendulum driven grandfather clocks.  Descendants of his became well known makers of clocks in the many decades and centuries to follow.  Generally speaking, the introduction of the grandfather clock in 1650 in Britain is the generally accepted time-frame in horological history.  It also tracks with the timepieces we have seen over the years.

Galielo’s design but not development of a pendulum grandfather clock is reminiscent of Leonardo DaVinci’s design but not development of the fusee clock movement, which was another great advance in timekeeping, and used centuries later, and still in use today and considered the gold standard for accurate clock timekeeping that is not weight-driven.

Many people in the grandfather clocks world and the office furniture wold know full well know full well the histories and achievements of both Herman Miller and Howard Miller.  Herman Miller was the father of Howard Miller, and Howard Miller left the Herman Miller Furniture company in the 1920s, I believe, to start up the Howard Miller Clocks Company, which to this day remains the largest manufacturer of grandfather clocks in the world.  Howard Miller clocks also makes great wall clocks, mantle clocks, desktop clocks, atomic clocks, alarm clocks and more.

So who is J Howard Miller, a name that one will often coming across when doing research on Herman Miller and Howard Miller.

J Howard Miller is a noted artist who lived from 1918 to 2004, who was known for many of his works, but probably best known for his artwork during World War II, some of which became iconic images from and for the war.  At that time, Westinghouse was one of many very important suppliers to the military, and one mission it was tagged with was to come up with a series of posters by the National War Production Board.    J Howard Miller got the assignment.

Below are 2 works of art that will likely look familiar to anyone who either lived through WWII or who has studied the period in any depth.  J Howard Miller painted this work while working for Westinghouse, which was a major supplier to the USA Armed Forces.  This iconic image came to be associated with Rosie the Riveter, even though it was Norman Rockwell whose artwork actually led to the Rosie the Riveter term coming into use.

Frequently referred to as Rosie the Riveter

Another of J Howard Miller’s works will also look familiar to those who have lived through or studied World War II.  Here is that one:

J Howard Miller WWII Art Showing Womens Commitment and Strength

We wish we knew more about the art work, many of which are still sold as posters today, that J Howard Miller created and that certainly inspired millions of men and women working at home and abroad defending and supporting the US and its allies in the war.

Here is one question we are not sure of the answer to.  Is J Howard Miller related to Howard Miller and Herman Miller?  Did he ever have anything to do the the grandfather clocks and wall clocks and mantel clocks business at Howard Miller Clocks?  We have not found any direct references linking the lineage of these people.  It is worth noting that Howard Miller’s most expensive 2 grandfather clocks are known as the JH Miller Grandfather Clock I and JH Miller Grandfather Clock II.  Perhaps a pure coincidence.  Maybe not.  Anyone who knows for sure one way or the other is encouraged to let us know, and to supply definitive source documentation.  Come to think of it, the Howard Miller Clock Company is still run by a direct descendant of Howard Miller. We hope to find out, and soon, one way or the other.

Do you know who the largest maker of grandfather clocks is in the world?  It is Howard Miller Clocks, based in Zeeland, Michigan.  Howard Miller has been the leader in the high-end grandfather clock marketplace for at least a generation.

The term favored by Howard Miller Clock company for grandfather clocks is Floor Clocks.  Other names for these same freestanding, pendulum enclosed weight driven clocks include tall-case clocks, longcase clocks, and also hall clocks.  Shorter versions of these same clocks are known as grandmother clocks.  The two most commons designs, at least for traditional grandfather clocks, are with a Swans Neck, known also as a Split Pediment top, with a finial in the middle of the top, or a bonnet which is more of a rounded top, frequently with intricately carved designs in and around the bonnet.

Howard Miller has all these clocks and more.  Contemporary grandfather clocks are a staple of the Howard Miller Clock Collection.  The core components of the definition of grandfather clocks on sale are have not changed, and have almost always including gonging or chiming on the hour and half-hour, and in many cases, and more and more so over time, with chimes becoming ever more present,

Howard Miller offers grandfather clocks with the basic Westminster Chime, as is used in the London Parliament Building complex including Westminster Abbey, and also also triple chime grandfather clocks that most typical include also the Whittington Chimes and the Saint Michaels Chimes.  Beethoven’s Ode to Joy and Schubert’s Ave Maria have also been added as chimes in addition to the Westminster on many grandfather clock models.

Just like in centuries past, grandfather clocks are made either as cable driven grandfather clocks or chain driven grandfather clocks.  Today’s high-end mechanical grandfather clocks most all have 8 day movements which are German made.  It used to be that there were two distinct types of movements, whose with 8 Day Movements, and those with 30 Hour Movements which were generally made for are targeted to the hired help of those wealthy enough to afford any floor clock in the first place.  Other buyers we presume were those looking for grandfather clock discounts and were more open to different types of grandfather clocks for sale.

Interestingly, if William Clement, who is largely credited with creating, or some might say inventing, in 1670 the grandfather clock form still used today in traditional grandfather clocks, saw today’s grandfather clocks, he would likely be in awe but perhaps not that surprised.

Here are some examples of Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks

Example of Traditional Grandfather Clock from Howard Miller’s Presidential Collection -

Howard Miller Taylor Grandfather Clock 610-648 610648

Howard Miller Urban Floor III Grandfather Clock 660125 660-125

Every day we are asked if we have any special grandfather clocks for sale. Our answer to this clocks question is almost always that we aim to have the lowest prices available anywhere for the leading makers of grandfather clocks. We look at the websites of Authorized Dealers for the brands we carry, and try to be sure we are being as competitive as possible with no one offering better grandfather clocks discounts or grandfather clock sales, even on individual grandfather clock models.

One need to be careful when purchasing a grandfather clock that you a buying from an Authorized Dealer for that particular brand. If you are not, the warranty will not be valid, period. Also, there are other shopping variables, for lack of a better term, that a customer needs to be aware. A very basic one is how many times has the specific grandfather clock that you are purchasing been shipped? Each time a grandfather clock ships, the potential for clocks shipping damage increases exponentially. We know of some instances where a brand new in the container major brand grandfather clock may have already been shipped 4 or more times before it goes to its ultimate customer.

Another factor to be on the lookout for is the actual age of the specific grandfather clock you a purchasing. Certain of the very best manufacturers will not honor a warranty, even if the grandfather clock is in a container that has never been opened, if the clock was made more than a certain number of years ago, with 4 years being a not uncommon cut-off point. While that may sound therefore like it is an irrelevant issue because 4 years is a long time, many grandfather clocks will sit on showroom floors or in a clock shop’s backroom or storage for longer than that. A grandfather clock customer wants to make certain they are covered for grandfather clocks warranty purposes.

An additional circumstance of which to be aware is when a grandfather clocks shop is selling a floor model, sometime also known as a grandfather clock floor sample. Some grandfather clock shops take much better care of their floor models or floor samples than other clocks shops. And there is nothing wrong with purchasing a grandfather clock floor model, which could also be referred to as a floor clock floor sample (can you say that 10 times fast), as long as the customer knows all the facts before the purchase. Some floor sample grandfather clocks may have been wound a lot, some may have been better taken care of than others, and some may have scratches or dents, or even missing parts, and perhaps a lot of dust, at least before it is cleaned off, hopefully, before it goes to the home of the new owner.

The only concern for a customer might be, or should be we think, when a grandfather clock floor sample is sold as a brand new grandfather clock or floor clock. Keep in mind whether the manufacturer’s warranty will still be valid, the potential wear and tear on the clock, the risks associated with the grandfather clock having shipped multiple times, and the condition of the grandfather clocks when they finally arrive in your home or office for setup and display in your room of choice.

We also sell antique grandfather clocks, and we need to emphasize that having a grandfather clock on display is not necessarily a bad thing.

A customer should, very simply, be aware of what is and what is not a factor in the grandfather clock discounts. And by the way, all of this applies to grandmother clocks as well, which are really only differentiated by their shorter height.

Other considerations should also come into play when considering grandfather clock discounts, which is what is included with the purchase. We think a big plus is buying from a Grandfather Clocks Specialty Store that actually knows something about grandfather clocks, and the brands, such as Howard Miller Clocks and Ridgeway Clocks and Hermle Clocks, and can really talk knowledgeably about different brands, makes, models, features, problems, and the pros and cons between specific grandfather clocks. We are happy to educate any prospective customer who wants it, and many who do end up buying a different make or model after better understanding the differences. Also included in the grandfather clock discounts is what kind of delivery and set-up are offered, which is not at all as simple as many people think when they ask if “white glove service” is provided. That term has between somewhat meaningless or something of a misnomer, as it can include or exclude so many factors which would be of importance to customers if they were better informed as to whether particular elements were included with the grandfather clock delivery or not.

Discounts and Sale Prices on grandfather clocks are great, and we always aim to offer the best. But as or more important is to know what you are or are not getting for your grandfather clock discount price.