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.
Vavasseur Antiques
Very Rare Ormolu and Silver Plated Desk Compendium c.1880
£ 2,895
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Small Grandmother Oak Longcase Musical Clock
£ 795
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
19th C Walnut Inlaid American Drop Dial Striking Wall Clock
£ 265
19th C Walnut Inlaid American Drop Dial Striking Wall Clock
£ 265
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
American Mahogany 19th C. Drop Dial 8 Day Wall Clock
£ 185
American Mahogany 19th C. Drop Dial 8 Day Wall Clock
£ 185
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Sovereign Antiques
John Ingram Spalding Longcased 8 Day Clock
£ 975
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Henri Marc Striking & Repeating Carriage Clock
£ 740
Bentleigh Antiques
Art Deco Mantel Clock in Marble and Onyx Circa 1930s
£ 325
London City Antiques
Large Antique Victorian Quality Brass Carriage Clock
£ 1,250
Vintage Clocks
Wonderful French White Alabaster Mantel Clock – Ca1870
£ 400
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Walnut Musical Chiming Elliott Grandmother Longcase Clock
£ 1,695
Walnut Musical Chiming Elliott Grandmother Longcase Clock
£ 1,695
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
English Georgian Oak Longcase Clock Black Forest Carving 1782
£ 985
English Georgian Oak Longcase Clock Black Forest Carving 1782
£ 985
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Silent Strike Small Georgian Oak Grandfather Longcase Clock
£ 1,595
Silent Strike Small Georgian Oak Grandfather Longcase Clock
£ 1,595
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Quarter Chiming Grandmother Longcase Clock
£ 1,400
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Small Ting Tang 5 Glass Bracket Clock c.1850
£ 795
£ 1,750
Quality Inlaid Mahogany Georgian Grandfather Clock by John Douglas of Galston
£ 1,750
Georgian Antiques
Vintage by the Sea Ltd
1980s Cartier Verdome Ladies Watch
£ 795
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Chippendale Style Carved Mahogany Grandmother Clock
£ 5,250
Outstanding Quality Antique Chippendale Style Carved Mahogany Grandmother Clock
£ 5,250
London City Antiques
£ 999
£ 799
Louis Style Oak Grandfather Clock Vintage 3 Weights Brass Dial – Lot 3864
£ 799
Vintage World
Vintage Clocks
Lovely Slate & Marble Mantel Clock ca.1880
£ 390
£ 999
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Fusee Ships Chronometer Wall Clock
£ 875
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Large Antique Victorian French Porcelain & Gilded Metal Clock Set
£ 4,850
Outstanding Quality Large Antique Victorian French Porcelain & Gilded Metal Clock Set
£ 4,850
London City Antiques
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Small 19th Century Mahogany Fusee Bracket Clock
£ 685
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Georgian Grandfather Longcase Clock Important Hastings Maker
£ 990
Georgian Grandfather Longcase Clock Important Hastings Maker
£ 990
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Warner & Watts Antiques
8 Day Antique Grandfather Clock by W. Williams
£ 275
Walton House Antiques Ltd
Silver Gilt Enamelled Sub Miniature Carriage Clock
£ 1,485
Town House Traders Ltd
Fine Quality Antique Mahogany Granddaughter Clock
£ 890
£ 549.99
Vintage Clocks
Charming Antique 8 Day Mantel Clock – ca 1910
£ 200
£ 200
Vintage Clocks
Beautiful Antique French Carriage Clock – Ca1890
£ 300
Vintage Clocks
Exquisite Valery of Paris Boulle Mantel Clock – Ca1860
£ 550
Vintage Clocks
Lovely Slate & Red Marble Mantel Clock – Ca1880
£ 395
£ 1,000
£ 500
£ 1,100
Koos Limburg Jnr
Original Boulle Style & Gilded French Portico Clock
£ 775
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Gorge Cased Repeating Carriage Clock
£ 925
Time to Admire Ltd
Scarce 8-day Waltham Car Clock in a Hardwood Case
£ 175
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.