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.
Story Antique Clocks
Fine Quality Quarter Chiming Bracket Clock - London c.1890
£ 5,950
Worboys Antiques
Late 19th Century Walnut Fusee Dial Clock
£ 890
Worboys Antiques
Walnut Arch Top Visible Escapement Mantel Clock
£ 575
Stalham Antique Gallery
English Oak Longcase Clock - R Biggs of Rumsey
£ 1,550
London City Antiques
Large Antique Victorian Quality Brass Striking Carriage Clock
£ 975
£ 745
Original Antique Rosewood & Lemon Wood Inlayed French Portico Clock c.1870
£ 745
Koos Limburg Jnr
Masons Antiques
Mahogany Striking Drop-Dial Wall Clock
£ 695
Masons Antiques
Westminster-Chime Bracket / Mantel Clock
£ 475
The Clock Barn
French 8 Day Japy Freres & Cie Striking Mantle Clock
£ 650
£ 1,695
£ 1,950
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Antique Carriage Clock with Dentil Mouldings
£ 295
Story Antique Clocks
Fine Quality Ormolu French Mantel Clock c.1870
£ 2,950
Worboys Antiques
Large Oak Fusee Dial Clock
£ 1,275
Worboys Antiques
Early 19th Century Rocking Ship Longcase Clock
£ 2,500
Robert Pagden Antiques
1950s Gents of Leicester Wall Clock
£ 145
Robert Pagden Antiques
1950s Gents Wall Clock
£ 145
Robert Pagden Antiques
Large 1950s International Time Recording Wall Clock
£ 275
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Figured Mahogany Grandfather Clock with Painted Arched Dial & Moon Roller
£ 4,250
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Figured Mahogany Grandfather Clock with Painted Arched Dial & Moon Roller
£ 4,250
London City Antiques
Rawlings Antiques
18th Century Grandfather Clock Ashton of Macclesfield
£ 1,495
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
R Andrews, Pilton Fusee Dial Wall Clock
£ 625
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
19th Century Large French Garniture Clock by S Kinsburger
£ 1,850
19th Century Large French Garniture Clock by S Kinsburger
£ 1,850
Marlborough Antiques & Interiors
Time to Admire
Wall Clock: Fabulously Hand-sculptured English 12” Fusee Dial Timepiece by William Highfield, of London, 1875
£ 1,250
Wall Clock: Fabulously Hand-sculptured English 12” Fusee Dial Timepiece by William Highfield, of London, 1875
£ 1,250
Time to Admire
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique French Ornate Ormolu Clock Garniture by A D Mougin France
£ 1,950
Outstanding Quality Antique French Ornate Ormolu Clock Garniture by A D Mougin France
£ 1,950
London City Antiques
Rawlings Antiques
Oak Grandfather Clock by Thomas Smith Ridgewell
£ 895
Worboys Antiques
Black Chinoiserie Mantel Clock
£ 425
Worboys Antiques
Small Green Chinoiserie Strut Back Clock
£ 295
Story Antique Clocks
Georgian Bracket Clock by Agar of Malton
£ 5,500
£ 5,500
Worboys Antiques
Small Red Chinoiserie Bracket Clock
£ 725
Story Antique Clocks
French Marble & Ormolu Mount Lyre Mantel Clock
£ 3,300
£ 495
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Green Onyx Ornate Clock Garniture
£ 1,395
Hingstons Antiques
Regency Brass Inlaid Bracket Clock
£ 3,450
Richard Twort
180 Knots Anemometer Dial
£ 375
Vintage Clocks
Antique French Bell Striking 8-day Mantel Clock - Sevres Panels C1860 - Serviced July 2024
£ 1,150
Antique French Bell Striking 8-day Mantel Clock - Sevres Panels C1860 - Serviced July 2024
£ 1,150
Vintage Clocks
£ 950
Antique French Gong Striking 8-day Mantel Clock - Sevres Panels C1870 - Serviced 2024
£ 950
Vintage Clocks
Masons Antiques
Westminster-chime, Mahogany, Bracket/mantel Clock
£ 645
Worboys Antiques
Edwardian Mahogany Wall Clock
£ 725
Whites Antiques
19th Century Mahogany Farmhouse Deep Dial Clock c.1850
£ 2,475
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.