Man has been fascinated with telling the time for thousands of years, but it was not until the mid-17th Century that Dutch scientist Christopher Huygens successfully applied a pendulum to clocks allowing for accurate and easy timekeeping. This was followed by other improvements including springs and repeaters. Over time clocks have evolved both technically and aesthetically and remain one of the most cherished items in any home.
While modern digital clocks might have the edge over traditional timepieces when it comes to accuracy and ease, most people know that there remains something timeless and beautiful about the look and sound of antique clocks as they tick,tick,tick their way through our days. 8 day clocks remain as popular as ever for their practicality and overall antique clocks offer a sheer variety of design unavailable new.
At LoveAntiques you will find a fine and large selection of antique and vintage clocks from imposing longcase clocks to smaller carriage and bracket clocks. Our dealers are able to offer beautiful and unusual mantel clocks as well as highly practical Fusee clocks all with the knowledge that they have been checked by our reputable dealers.
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
English Tavern Wall Clock c.1815
£ 6,750
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Margaine Strike & Repeat Carriage Clock
£ 785
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
William Greener of London Fusee Wall Clock 1863
£ 875
Salisbury Antiques Centre
George III Inlaid Mahogany Arch Enamel Dial Longcase Clock
£ 1,400
George III Inlaid Mahogany Arch Enamel Dial Longcase Clock
£ 1,400
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Longcase Clock by Benjamin Smith of Canterbury
£ 1,450
£ 475
Amsterdam School Art Deco Early Electrical Oak & Rosewood Mantel Clock 1920-1940
£ 475
Koos Limburg Jnr
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Mahogany Cased Fusee Wall Clock c.1840
£ 1,400
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Fine Cased 8 Day Longcase Clock
£ 3,950
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Striking French Carriage Clock c.1895
£ 745
Koos Limburg Jnr
Vienna Session Style Junghans Burr Walnut & Ebony Mantel Clock
£ 575
Old Painted Furniture
Early 19th Century Mahogany Cased Painted Dial Grandfather Clock
£ 595
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
French Striking Carriage Clock c.1895
£ 750
Worboys Antiques
Aesthetic Style Olive Wood Mantel Clock
£ 775
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Mahogany Cased Balloon Shaped 8 Day Mantel Clock
£ 525
£ 799.99
Vintage Old Charm Wood Brothers Grandfather Clock / Franz Hermle / Oak Cased / Westminster Chimes c.1970
£ 799.99
MebleinUK
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Stunning Quality Antique Edwardian Silver Hallmarked Miniature Carriage Clock & Leather Case
£ 995
Stunning Quality Antique Edwardian Silver Hallmarked Miniature Carriage Clock & Leather Case
£ 995
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Koos Limburg Jnr
Stylish Art Deco Walnut Mantel Clock c.1940
£ 475
Rees Antiques
Antique Carved Oak "READING" Longcase Clock
£ 350
Rees Antiques
Antique Carved "Bath" Longcase Clock
£ 750
Rees Antiques
Antique Silvered Dial Strike/Silent Longcase Clock
£ 475
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Georgian Verge Twin Fusee Bracket / Table Clock
£ 3,900
Story Antique Clocks
Ritchie Edinburgh Bracket Clock
£ 5,950
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Oak & Mahogany 8 Day Painted Face Longcase Clock
£ 3,450
Antique George III Quality Oak & Mahogany 8 Day Painted Face Longcase Clock
£ 3,450
London City Antiques
Masons Antiques
Marble Mantel Clock with Elephant
£ 795
Rees Antiques
Antique Lacquered "Aberdeen" Longcase Clock
£ 1,650
The Clock Barn
Masked Dial Carriage Clock Sorley Jewellers Glasgow
£ 375
Worboys Antiques
Small Proportioned Brass Ships Clock
£ 425
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Fine Quality Antique Edwardian Miniature Carriage Clock
£ 925
Rees Antiques
Mahogany Brass Dial 8 Day Longcase Clock
£ 575
Worboys Antiques
Substantial French Walnut Mantel Clock
£ 975
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Stunning Antique Miniature Quality Brass Carriage Clock with Hand Painted Porcelain Panels
£ 1,385
Stunning Antique Miniature Quality Brass Carriage Clock with Hand Painted Porcelain Panels
£ 1,385
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Antique Staffordshire Mantle Clock
£ 345
Artsonline.org.uk
James Ivory, Dundee Fine 18th Century George III Satinwood Inlaid 8-day Longcase Clock
£ 3,750
James Ivory, Dundee Fine 18th Century George III Satinwood Inlaid 8-day Longcase Clock
£ 3,750
Artsonline.org.uk
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Carved Oak Vienna Wall Clock
£ 2,850
Graham Smith Antiques Ltd
Samuel Marti Tortoiseshell Mantel Clock
£ 1,550
The Vintage Wrist Watch Company
Clock: Antique Silver Cased Travel Clock 1902
£ 235
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Antique Edwardian Quality Mahogany Inlaid Chiming 8 Day Mantle Clock
£ 845
Antique Edwardian Quality Mahogany Inlaid Chiming 8 Day Mantle Clock
£ 845
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Stunning Quality Antique Victorian Brass Carriage Clock
£ 685
LT Antiques
Antique Chinese Clock
£ 4,250
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Oak Grandmother Clock
£ 365
Both Antique and Vintage clocks are highly sought after by collectors around the world and the best can sell for many tens of thousands of pounds (or dollars). Like any item everything comes down to the maker, quality of the movement and design, as well as the overall look of the case. Throughout history people have created beautiful and expensive high end time-pieces, as well as far lower quality items so prices vary widely. Because clocks have many moving parts condition and originality is also very important and a fully restored vintage clocks will naturally be worth far more than one that is not working or needs an overhaul. Although digital clocks have technically been around for over 100 years, those with an electric motor did not come in to widespread use until the second half of the 20th Century. While some digital clocks are becoming more and more collectable, the most valuable remain mechanical clocks because people still admire and appreciate the craftsmanship and time that went into making them. Because there are many places to buy and sell old clocks it is always worthwhile researching your clock to give a sense of current values. However please note that current fashions will cause the value for different types of clocks to rise or fall compared to the past.
Although the outer design of many clocks has not changed substantially for hundreds of years, the mechanisms quite often have. Obviously if it has a digital dial and movement it will date to the 1960s onwards, and if it is powered by batteries or electric cable will be from the early 20th Century onwards. When it comes to looking at mechanical clocks then it is good to look inside to see if you can find a makers name anywhere. Better quality clocks have been well marked for hundreds of years and usually there will be a history of that maker on the internet. Serial numbers can help with even finer dating if present, but note that is was quite common for clockmakers to sell simple movements to others to put in their own cases. Therefore the movement manufacturer and the clock retailer can be two different people. The very first clocks merely had the hour hand and the face in brass but much of the dating for most clocks comes from understanding subtle changes in design. Therefore for accurate dating it is always worth showing your clock to a specialist who will be able to tell you its history.
There are more places than ever to sell antique clocks from physical shops to online sites such as LoveAntiques as well as auctions. This can be great news for you but it is important to arm yourself with some basic knowledge to ensure your clock sells for the correct amount of money. Clock collectors on the whole are detail oriented people which means that they will be looking closely at its pedigree, originality, rarity, aesthetic appeal and of course if it is working or not. Each of these points can make a big difference to the sale price and just because an item may look fancy or indeed plain, is not telling of its true value. The maker and the movement is the primary factor that aids price, but a simple movement which has been put into a very pretty case by a famous retailer will also command good money. Early clocks will tend to be more valuable than later ones because they were so scarce and valuable at the time, but if possible selling to or at least asking the advice of a specialist will help. If you place the item in auction then ensure that the item is described clearly with plenty of photos and is listed online so that international collectors who understand the field far better than you will be able to spot it.
In theory the older the clock, the higher the value, but identifying authentic antique clocks can be challenging, as looks can be deceiving. There are clocks that look antique - with the right style, material, and colour - but are actually not that old. Also, not all antique and vintage clocks are valuable, as the brand of an antique also plays a big part in its value. Along with evidence of the clock being handmade such as irregularity in the shape, you have to find out the brand. Back then, antique and vintage clocks were considered as works of art, and some brands were known to use a particular style, material and even colour. Thus, aside from the trademark and initials you may find on the dial or the back of the clock, it’s also best to be familiar with the style of a particular brand or even country of origin.