Jon Parker MBHI

Antique Clock Specialist

Tel: 0121 443 4436                                                                      The British Horological Institute

About Clocks.

In this section you should be able to find the information you need to identify what type of clock you own. I don't wish to pretend that this is a definitive guide, there are thousands, perhaps millions of different types of clock. Should you require a more comprehensive guide to clock types I suggest you investigate www.antiqueclockspriceguide.com which has a wealth of information and many photos of most types of clock.

If you can't identify your clock from the advice given below you're welcome to contact me for further assistance.

Let's first look at the movement.

The first distinguishing feature in categorising a clock movement is the driving force.

There are various means of powering a clock. But most clocks are powered by one of two methods, namely mechanical or electrical power.  People sometimes make the mistake of thinking that all clocks with a dial and hands to tell the time (analogue clocks), are mechanically powered, but this is not always the case. You should be able to identify an electrical/electronic clock because they don't facilitate winding. They take their power either from the mains, electric clocks, or from a battery as with the electronic or quartz clock.  Most antique clocks date from a time before the introduction of mains electricity and are consequently mechanically driven by either weight or spring.  The rest of this section will concentrate on mechanical clocks, as my interest lies mainly with antiques.

Is it a Spring driven or a Weight driven clock?

It's usually easy to tell the difference. Often weight driven clocks are wall mounted or floor standing, whereas most Mantel Clocks are spring driven. If you look inside the case you will be able to see if there is a weight inside. It will be suspended on a pulley to allow the weight to be lowered as the clock runs. Some early Spring Driven Clocks incorporate a feature called a Fusee, which is designed to keep the power delivered to clock constant as the spring winds down.

The second distinguishing feature is the type of regulator.

 All clocks need some system to keep the mechanism running at a regular rate, otherwise the hands of the clock would just whizz around until the power runs down! The two most common methods for achieving this are the pendulum and the platform escapement.

Is it a Pendulum Clock?

The pendulum is probably the most easily identified component of a clock. It's the part which swings from side to side associated with the familiar 'tick tock' sound we clock lovers know so well. Some Wall and Shelf Clocks use a different system: the Platform Escapement, borrowing from technology more usually associated with watches than clocks. It was introduced to make clocks more portable, and made the Carriage Clock possible. In some clocks (though not all), the platform is visible under a glass window on the top of the case; in others it is fixed to the back plate. It looks like a small wheel oscillating rapidly to and fro. These clocks can be identified by the fast tick which sounds like a watch.  There is another variant to the Platform Escapement known as the Floating Balance. These have a larger wheel which is suspended on a spring. It beats a little more slowly than a standard platform. This type of escapement , always found on the backplate, was developed by Smiths in the 1950s and is only found on more modern clocks.

The third is the functions of the clock movement.

Is it a Striking or Chiming Clock?

Strictly speaking a timepiece should only be called a clock if it strikes the hour. The word clock comes from the old French word Cloche meaning Bell. The very first clocks struck the hours only and did not feature a dial or hands at all.

The easiest way to tell is to count the number of winding holes the clock has on the dial. The clock mechanism consists of separate sets of gears, or wheels, known as a train for each function, each with its own winding hole.

One winding hole means one 'train' so the 'clock' will just tell the time only. If there are two winding holes it will tell the time and strike the hours (and often the half hours); a striking clock. Three holes means three functions so, in addition to telling the time and striking the hours this clock will chime the quarters as well.

The most common chime is the Westminster Chime. Featured in that most famous of clocks, the Great Clock of Westminster. Incidentally Big Ben is the name of the bell. But this chime was first used at St Mary's Church in Cambridge, so it would not be wrong to call this chime The Cambridge Chime! The tune itself is apparently taken from Handel's Messiah.

Now let's look at the 'style' of the clock. There are three main categories: Floor Standing Clocks, Wall Clocks, and Bracket or 'Mantel' clocks.

Floor Standing Clocks

My clock stands on the floor- does that make it a Grandfather Clock?

The term Grandfather Clock often causes confusion. Strictly speaking this type of clock should be referred to as a longcase clock. The popular song 'My Grandfather's Clock' is responsible for this term coming into common usage. The other names (Grandmother, Granddaughter) are all derivatives. It's fairly safe to assume that a Floor Standing Clock is a longcase of some type, but there is a huge variety of clocks within this category. Antique Longcase Clocks may feature brass or painted dials and could incorporate extra features such as moon phase indication and date mechanisms. Most Longcase Clocks are weight driven but there are some later examples that are spring driven. Check inside the case to see.

Wall Clocks

There are many different types of clock in this category. Here, I've tried to describe some of the more commonly found types. If your clock doesn't fit any of the descriptions given you are welcome to contact me with a description and I'll try to help.

Probably the most familiar style of wall clock is the English Dial clock, often associated with station platforms or school class rooms. The classic Dial clock has a wooden case, often Mahogany and a round dial of 12" diameter. Some times the case has an extra section below the dial to accommodate a longer pendulum. These are known as Drop Dial Clocks. Many early Dial Clocks feature a Fusee movement, later this feature was dropped as modern springs are able to deliver power over a longer going period. Just about every variation of movement is found in the category of Dial Clocks, including electrically driven movements. Striking Dial clocks are rarely found.

Similar to the above is the French Vineyard Clock these are spring driven pendulum regulated clocks often found in an octagonal case which hinges at the top. They have an enamelled metal dial and sometimes feature 'French striking', which means they repeat the hour strike after a few moments so that you can remember to count it the second time.

Another common type of wall clock is the Vienna Regulator. These clocks have an oblong case often decorated with carved mouldings. They are weight driven, pendulum regulated and have a special escapement called a Deadbeat Escapement, which, coupled with a wooden pendulum rod, is intended to make them more accurate and deserve the term 'Regulator'. They also feature a subsidiary 'seconds' dial, but because the pendulum beats at a faster rate than once a second it rotates in less than a minute! Interestingly, none of these clocks were made in Vienna, as far as I know.

The sister to the Vienna Regulator is the Spring Vienna Wall Clock, sometimes known as a 'Springer'. This clock has a similar case style to the regulator but, being spring driven, comes in a variety of sizes. They are pendulum regulated and usually strike the hours and half hours. Often the movements were made in Germany by Junghans or HAC (the Hamburg American Clock company). They do not feature a seconds hand.

Another Spring Driven Wall Clock is the Edwardian Wall Clock, sometimes known in the trade as an 'Eddy'. It's easily differentiated from the above by its plain oblong case, with no additional adornment. The movements inside these clocks have much in common with the Spring Vienna Wall Clock.

There are some American Shelf Clocks called OGs, and some Black Forest Clocks that are wall mounted. These will be described in more detail later.

Another popular wall clock is the Ship's Clock. Most of these have never been near a ship, but like the Carriage Clock have a Platform Escapement so that they can stand some movement without stopping. They are usually cased in a heavy round brass case, sometimes with 'ship's striking' which mimics the system of bells rung on board to announce the different watches. These clocks are not to be confused with Marine Chronometers which are highly accurate clocks used in navigation. These highly specialised clocks are more akin to scientific instruments than domestic timepieces. They are usually found in sturdy wooden boxes fitted with gimbals which keep the dial in a horizontal plane. Servicing these instruments is a highly specialised job.

Parlour Clocks

This category is probably the most varied of all. These clocks have cases which are free standing. Again I've tried to describe some of the more commonly found types, but if your clock doesn't fit any of the descriptions given you are welcome to contact me with a description and I'll try to help.

Strictly speaking there is no difference between Mantel clocks and Shelf clocks. Clocks can be positioned anywhere, but this section is a convenient place to talk about a few more different clock styles.

From Georgian through Victorian to Edwardian times clocks were essential to the well furnished parlour. There are a number of Wooden Cased Clocks from Lancet Clocks, with pointed tops, to Balloon Clocks with a tapered waist and a round top to house the dial and movement. Often these clocks have French movements; but some are equipped with English movements, many of which were made in Coventry by the Astral Clock company.

Bracket Clocks.

So called because many were originally supplied with an ornate bracket to position these clocks on the wall. A bracket clock has a wooden case and is usually around 10" square. Often it stands on ornate cast feet. These clocks came into fashion in the Georgian era. Many were produced by famous makers, and featured elaborately engraved backplates. Latterly, many clocks have been made to this design with a huge variety of features. Many have handles on the top but beware, even though the handle may have originally been fitted to carry the weight of the clock, the intervening years will have caused the glue to have weakened considerably. Many good clocks have come to grief in this fashion.

Mantel Clocks.

As the name implies these clocks are traditionally placed on the mantel shelf above the fireplace. Variations in temperature and the draughts and dust associated with an open fire make this the worst of places to position a clock. That aside, no mantel piece ever looks complete without a nice clock standing proudly upon it! These clocks really made their mark in the mid 20th century. They were the main output of the British Clock Industry, often featuring names like Smiths or Enfield. Most examples have wooden cases and feature striking and often chiming movements. Many will be familiar with the model known as the 'Napoleon Hat' which has a rounded middle section, which tapers at each side, resembling the famous generals headgear. These clocks are becoming rediscovered  by a new generation. Associated with Grandparents sitting rooms and the time when these pieces where once treasured possessions.

 French Marble Clocks.

Again there is a huge variety of styles, but they all feature a heavy Marble or Black Slate Case. Some are quite plain in design. Others very elaborate with classical figures. Originally many of these clocks were housed under a glass dome, but the action of removing the dome to wind the clock once a week meant that most have not survived. Sadly, it's practically impossible to source replacements at a reasonable price. The movements of these clocks, usually striking, were made to a very high standard but are sometimes difficult to set up to ensure reliable performance.

Carriage Clocks.

These clocks derive from a clock known as the Pendule d'Officiers which was given by Napoleon to his officers. They have a platform escapement to make them portable. It's easy to imagine why a Pendulum Clock would be impractical in a carriage. The Carriage Clock has a glass case with four brass pillars. The movements which are on show inside are highly polished. Most are French but some English makers produced some fine carriage clocks, often  striking movements with a fusee to even the power output from the spring. The better quality Carriage Clocks have a button on the top which when pressed releases the striking train to strike the hour just passed. They are known as 'repeaters'. This enabled people to tell the time during the hours of darkness. There is a reference in A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens to Scrooge pressing his repeater to tell the time on the night of Christmas eve.

There is another clock with a glass case and four polished brass pillars, but this has a pendulum movement. These are often larger than the average carriage clock and don't have a handle on the top, they are known as Four Glass Clocks.

American Shelf Clocks.

The 'new world' attracted many skilled entrepreneurs. Clockmakers from all over Europe emigrated to set up business in America. Unhindered by the traditions of their home lands they pioneered new methods. The most successful being that of standardisation and mass production. Big factories were built in Connecticut where striking clocks were built in great numbers. Early American Clocks were built with very limited resources, necessitating ingenious designs. The Wagon Spring Clock which, as the name suggests, employs a suspension spring from a wagon to drive the clock, are now highly prized. The traditional American Shelf Clock, or OG, looks like a flat oblong box with a glazed door on the front, often with a transfer on the inside depicting a typical American scene. This type of clock often hung on the wall, has a thirty hour striking movement which may be spring or weight driven. The later American Clocks were made to mimic the fashionable European styles of time. Many were similar to the French Slate Clocks but were made of wood or cast iron painted gloss black to provide a cheaper alternative to their rivals. This gave American Clocks a poor reputation at the time, but it wasn't long before the Europeans realised that mass production was the future, and the American techniques were widely copied, especially in Germany by Junghans and the Hamburg American Clock Company, HAC.

Lantern Clocks.

Probably the first domestic clock style. Lantern Clocks were introduced in the 17th century. They are often crudely made, from steel and brass. The clock industry at this time was still in its infancy, clocks were often made by skilled blacksmiths or other metal workers. The case features a small dial on the front and a large domed bell on the top which resembles a lantern.

Black Forest Clocks.

During the long winters the farmers of the Black forest region of Bavaria turned to clock making to supplement their income. Like the Americans the shortage of materials did not discourage them. These clocks come in all shapes and sizes, sometimes with ingenious automata, and are made almost entirely out of wood.  German clock sellers often walked across Europe carrying their wares in a knapsack and were a common site in Victorian England.

In the early 1900's American servicemen visiting Europe created a demand for a type of clock known as The Anniversary Clock. This name was introduced because the designers, by stretching the technology to its limits, created a clock that was intended to run for a year on a single wind. The identifying feature of these clocks, which are usually housed under a glass dome, is the Torsional Pendulum often with four balls rotating at the base. Some of these clocks were built to a high specification, but all are difficult to set up and suffer from poor timekeeping.

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Last modified: 03/30/04