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.
Time to Admire Ltd
Bracket Clock: High-quality Vintage English Bracket Timepiece by Elliott & Retailed by The North Goldsmith, Newcastle
£ 250
Bracket Clock: High-quality Vintage English Bracket Timepiece by Elliott & Retailed by The North Goldsmith, Newcastle
£ 250
Time to Admire Ltd
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Peter Le Gros, London Twin Fusee Bracket Mantel Clock
£ 1,950
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Quarter Veneer London Grandfather Longcase Clock c.1729
£ 3,000
Quarter Veneer London Grandfather Longcase Clock c.1729
£ 3,000
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Grandmother / Small Grandfather Longcase Clock 1920s
£ 895
Grandmother / Small Grandfather Longcase Clock 1920s
£ 895
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
London City Antiques
Antique Victorian Quality Carved Oak Vienna Wall Clock
£ 1,295
Koos Limburg Jnr
Art Deco Anvil/Baden Mahogany Inlaid Westminster Mantel Clock
£ 575
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
William Greener of London Fusee Wall Clock 1863
£ 875
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
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
French Striking Carriage Clock c.1895
£ 750
artsncraftsfurniture
Arts & Crafts Clock
POA
Antiques and Things
Brass Mounted Clock
£ 420
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
James Paget London Fusee Dial Wall Clock
£ 735
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Henry Gregory of Gloucester Fusee Dial Wall Clock
£ 740
Stalham Antique Gallery
George IV Longcase Clock with Movement by Simpson Yarmouth
£ 1,470
Deco Original Ltd
Art Deco Chrome & Bakelite Mantel Clock
£ 100
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
Fine Quality Antique Oak 8 Day Chiming Grandmother Clock
£ 1,185
Fine Quality Antique Oak 8 Day Chiming Grandmother Clock
£ 1,185
Unique Antiques By Emma Jade
London City Antiques
Antique George III Superior Quality Mahogany Inlaid Eight Day Longcase Clock Signed John Denbigh, Merton Park
£ 4,950
Antique George III Superior Quality Mahogany Inlaid Eight Day Longcase Clock Signed John Denbigh, Merton Park
£ 4,950
London City Antiques
Rees Antiques
Antique Mahogany "Kingswood" Longcase Clock
£ 550
Worboys Antiques
Oak Dome Top Mantel Clock
£ 725
Worboys Antiques
Solid Oak Wall Clock
Salisbury Antiques Centre
Small Slate & Marble Mantel Clock
£ 220
Antiques & Chic
Fusee Dial Clock 1852 by Dent & Co
£ 795
Salisbury Antiques Centre
8 Day Slate & Verdi Anticho Marble Drumhead Mantle Clock
£ 540
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Quarter Chiming Musical Small Grandfather Longcase Clock
£ 1,245
Quarter Chiming Musical Small Grandfather Longcase Clock
£ 1,245
The Sitting Room & Heydays Antiques
Debenham Antiques Ltd
20th Century Swedish Gilt Carved Wood Wall Clock
£ 450
£ 259.99
London City Antiques
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Carved Oak Vienna Wall Clock
£ 2,850
Outstanding Quality Antique Victorian Carved Oak Vienna Wall Clock
£ 2,850
London City Antiques
Debenham Antiques Ltd
20th Century Swedish Gilt Carved Wood Wall Clock Fhs Movement
£ 450
Rees Antiques
Antique "Leicester" Longcase Clock
£ 375
Debenham Antiques Ltd
20th Century Swedish Westerstrand Carved & Gilt Ornate Wall Clock
£ 475
LT Antiques
Queen Anne Walnut Grandfather Clock
£ 4,750
Antique & Modern Living
Rosewood & Brass Inlaid Bracket Clock
£ 1,950
Antiques and Things
Brass Bracket Clock
£ 120
Antiques and Things
Green Onyx Carriage Clock
£ 95
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Gorge Cased Striking Carriage Clock
£ 1,150
London City Antiques
Fine Antique George III Mahogany Longcase Clock Signed Charles Shuckburgh, London
£ 8,250
Fine Antique George III Mahogany Longcase Clock Signed Charles Shuckburgh, London
£ 8,250
London City Antiques
Rees Antiques
Antique Bristol Moon Phase Longcase Clock
£ 875
Kembery Antique Clocks Ltd
Richard & Co Gilded Carriage Clock
£ 295
Worboys Antiques
Solid Oak Bracket Clock
£ 725
Rees Antiques
Pine Silvered Dial 30 Hour Longcase Clock
£ 450
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.