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.
£ 600
Incredible Large Antique English Slate & Marble 8-Day Mantel Clock c. 1880
£ 600
Vintage Clocks
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Pretty Antique Staffordshire Mantle Clock
£ 375
£ 525
£ 425
Vintage Clocks
Extremely Rare Antique Kingwood & Burr Walnut Double Weight Vienna Regulator Wall Clock by Gustav Becker
£ 1,950
Extremely Rare Antique Kingwood & Burr Walnut Double Weight Vienna Regulator Wall Clock by Gustav Becker
£ 1,950
Vintage Clocks
£ 2,000
Fabulous Antique Walnut Single Weight Vienna Regulator Wall Clock c.1880
£ 2,000
Vintage Clocks
£ 1,100
£ 350
£ 2,000
Wonderful Architectural Antique Twin Weight Vienna Regulator Wall Clock
£ 2,000
Vintage Clocks
Vintage Clocks
Stunning Antique Vienna Regulator Wall Clock
£ 1,600
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Burr Walnut Drop Dial Wall Clock c.1885
£ 325
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Marble Base Gilt Fretwork Mantel / Desk Clock
£ 375
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Fine Garniture of Malachite
£ 1,800
London City Antiques
Antique George III Oak Eight Day Longcase Clock
£ 2,650
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
French Striking Carriage Clock with Fluted Columns
£ 795
Henley Street Antiques
Sterling Silver Art Nouveau Clock - Hallmarked 1907
£ 300
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Enamel Sided Carriage Clock
£ 490
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Bolvillier, Paris Early Rococo Carriage Clock
£ 2,450
Sovereign Antiques
Ships Chronometer by Thomas Mercer Ltd St Albans
£ 3,950
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Longcase Clock by Dan Williams, Crickhowell
£ 2,350
Antique George III Quality Mahogany Longcase Clock by Dan Williams, Crickhowell
£ 2,350
London City Antiques
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Francis Correll, Lutterworth Fusee Library Mantel Clock
£ 2,250
Salisbury Antiques Centre
8 Day Brass, Arch Dial Clock
£ 2,200
Antiques and Things
Victorian Lancet Clock
£ 175
Antiques & Chic
Big Ben Brass Skeleton Clock with Case & Key - Large
£ 595
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Tiffany & Co Four Glass Mantel Clock
£ 875
Stalham Antique Gallery
Oak Cased 8 Day Grandfather Clock "Stalham" Norfolk
£ 1,275
Fincraigs Antiques
Grandfather Clock J. McEwan of Crieff
£ 785
London City Antiques
Antique George III Quality 8 Day Oak Longcase Clock by Walker of Nantwich
£ 3,650
Antique George III Quality 8 Day Oak Longcase Clock by Walker of Nantwich
£ 3,650
London City Antiques
Sovereign Antiques
Waltham Chronometer Cased Working Clock
£ 975
Fincraigs Antiques
Walnut Grand Sonnerie Wall Clock
£ 4,250
Fincraigs Antiques
Drop Dial Wall Clock
£ 2,200
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Funnell of Brighton Fusee Bracket Clock
£ 1,275
London City Antiques
18th Century Quality Antique Oak Brass Face Longcase Clock by Benjamin Reeves, Lamberhurst
£ 2,850
18th Century Quality Antique Oak Brass Face Longcase Clock by Benjamin Reeves, Lamberhurst
£ 2,850
London City Antiques
Fincraigs Antiques
Art Deco Rose Pink Clock c.1920
£ 850
Antiques and Things
Vintage Tudor Wall Clock
£ 165
Beresford Antiques Ltd
19th Century Mahogany & Oak Eight Day Longcase Clock by J Collier of Cheadle
£ 495
19th Century Mahogany & Oak Eight Day Longcase Clock by J Collier of Cheadle
£ 495
Beresford Antiques Ltd
Town House Traders Ltd
Antique Ormolu Dressing Table Mirror & Clock
£ 190
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
English Tavern Wall Clock c.1815
£ 6,750
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Margaine Strike & Repeat Carriage Clock
£ 785
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.