Keeping good time

Keeping good time .W hen midnight strikes New Year’s Eve, dozens of clocks in Clyde Day’s home and backyard shop will reveal their unique cadences, belt out “cuckoos” and ring deep “dongs.”

But Day, an 86-year-old clock repairman and collector, probably will sleep through all of the commotion.

“We’ll be in bed long before 12 o’clock,” Day said. “At our age, we don’t worry about that.”

Day started collecting clocks in the early 1970s. The grandfather clock he built with a kit for his son, and that hooked him on the hobby, still stands in the living room.

“It’s a hobby that got out of control,” Day said with a mild chuckle.

Now, every nook and cranny displays something relating to clocks or watches, which are just smaller, wearable clocks, Day explained.

“It gets kind of loud in here on the hour,” said Day’s granddaughter, May Koenig.

Day’s clock collection includes a contemporary-styled clock that’s synchronized with an atomic clock at the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology in Fort Collins, Colo. He also owns and stores dozens of intricately designed German, American and Swedish mechanical grandfather and granddaughter clocks, some more than a century old.

Some of the clocks on display in his shop demonstrate a history of time-keeping or horology. One imitates the ancient clepsidra or water clock design and others have monthly calendar dials.

Day says his collection wouldn’t be complete without the inexpensive quartz clocks he introduces with the same enthusiasm. There’s one with U.S. silver coins, a funky Las Vegas-themed clock with plastic dice to mark the hours and a decorated Christmas tree clock that plays “Silent Night” on the hour.

“I’ve got strange little things sitting around here that don’t mean much to anyone but me,” Day said, picking up the Las Vegas-themed clock. “Obviously, this has no particular value.”

Inside grandfather clocks , labels indicate the manufacturer, age and origin. Without identifying labels, these clocks are “lost sheep,” Day said.

Clocks can be dangerous, too. Once, Day opened a clock without disarming its springs and the insides exploded, lodging a metal piece in his thumb.

Day says he never tires from disassembling old clocks that aren’t working and getting them ticking again.

“I like things that are mechanical and orderly,” said Day, a retired chemical engineer. “I like to know who made it and how it was made.”

Pulsating tick-tocks create a restful effect and the intricacies of the clock’s function challenge the mind, but it’s the discovery that keeps Day fascinated...

North Jersey Media Group

North Jersey Media Group . You might think that clocks would be obsolete by now.

To find out the time, most of us have lots of other options: a wristwatch, a cellphone, the corner of a computer screen.

Yet clocks are bigger than ever -- in popularity and size. On walls across America, artwork is being bumped to the closet by oversize clocks in living rooms, kitchens, hallways and even bathrooms and outdoor patios.

"I love to throw in large-scale clocks in decor, especially in a breakfast room over a table, so large that it makes a statement," said Elaine Minervini of Esprit Decor in Westwood.

Venerable clockmaker Howard Miller of Zeeland, Mich., has tuned into the trend with new offerings. The Camille, for example, is meant for the kitchen or bath and has a front door that opens to reveal a storage compartment for dishes, towels or linens.

Perhaps the most pronounced fad in clocks at the moment is steel, chrome and wrought iron. "This look is most popular in wall decor," said Mark Siciliano, director of marketing for Howard Miller. On-trend elements include round heads and sleek, stylish bases.
"Blond woods, woven materials and neutral colors are forecasted to be 2007 trends," said Mark Olszowy, product manager for clocks for Salton at Home.

Some trends are regional. Siciliano notes that Northeast consumers remain partial to the grandeur of traditional floor clocks, preferably with embellishments such as swan-neck pediments, carved moldings, floral overlays and interior lighting.

Plainer grandfathers go for about $600 at Andrews Clocks & Watches in Hillsdale; fancier ones can cost as much as $20,000. "These are clocks that are absolutely unbelievable, like a fine piano," said owner Russell Andrews, grandson of the shop's founder.

But seventh-generation clock seller Ruben Braun of Andres Braun Clocks in Passaic says sales of grandfather clocks are slowing because people don't want to bother winding them. Only Ridgeway Clocks in Ridgeway, Va., makes a synchronous grandfather clock that doesn't need winding (list price: $4,812).

"We have radio-controlled [wall and table] clocks where you never have to set them," said Braun. "They receive a signal from the U.S. atomic clock in Colorado so they're never more than a second off."

Radio-controlled models, which automatically reset themselves for daylight-saving time and during travel to different time zones, are made by a variety of manufacturers, including Seiko, Seth Thomas and Bulova. They range in price from $50 to $500.

Chiming clocks, in the same price category, also are popular. Andrews sells Rhythm models made in Japan that play tunes on the hour....

Newer grandfather clocks stress simplicity

Newer grandfather clocks stress simplicity .The words
"grandfather clock" probably bring to mind a heavy piece of furniture housing complicated gear work, an ornate face done in Roman numerals and a loud gong that wakes the neighborhood.

While that archetype has its place, many of the newer floor clocks from industry leader Howard Miller are fashioned with simplicity in mind to better blend with popular Zen-inspired styles or European themes. Chimes can be turned off during nighttime hours, if desired.

If done in wood, these trendier pieces are more likely to have dark, low-sheen or distressed finishes with names such as espresso and worn black. The clock’s elements are simple, streamlined and often oversized.

Carlos, for example, is a model that comes with a rich black coffee finish and a simple clock face with clear Arabic numerals. The large pendulum bob and three weight shells sport a brushed nickel finish. The look is contemporary and can blend with clean lines originating anywhere from Asia to Scandinavia.

The curving wrought-iron Vercelli is well-suited for the popular Tuscan decor and other Italian-inspired styles. While more ornamented than Carlos, Vercelli still imparts an airy feeling due to its open ironwork and light-colored cast stone dial.

Despite their fashion-forward orientation, Howard Miller clocks remain heirloom quality, with precision clock movements that come with two-year warranties. And these clocks are the ultimate in energy efficiency: they require no electricity, relying on regular winding for their power....

My Grandfather Clock

My Grandfather Clock .Author: Millicent Howe

As Millicent's family grandfather clock struck, there are times when you can't believe what you hear.

"I loved that clock - it was my friend and companion, I was never lonely or afraid as long as my clock went on tick, tock, tock, tocking..."

Millicent Howe was born in 1923 and has lived in the area all her life. She now lives in Shelton and is a devoted member of the King George VI Memorial Club in Hanley.

Her story is about a grandfather clock , but it was more than a mere timepiece - it is an integral part of her family and shared memories. One night, many years ago, Millicent had an eerie experience with the clock that she will never forget.
In pride of place in our living room stood the most regal looking grandfather clock. My mother would polish it and on occasion would gently wash it's face, each night before bedtime my father would open its door and take the two weights which were on a chain and pull them down in turn, then the pendulum would swing merrily away again and all would be well until morning.

I loved that clock - it was my friend and companion, I was never lonely or afraid as long as my clock went on tick, tock, tock, tocking.

If my mother went to the shops for half an hour or so, I knew that I was safe with my clock.

Each winter it seemed to develop a cough and it would shudder. Oh Dear! My father would dip a goose feather in paraffin and tickle it's works, it did the trick.

Oh, I forgot to tell you, my clock was nearly 200 years old. My father had bought it in a sale of some old hall. So the dear old thing was, in 1935, entitled to have a cough and a shudder - don't you think?

One night I lay counting the strokes to midnight. The clock coughed and shuddered and I counted and waited 10... 11... 12... 13...! Mum! Dad! The clock struck 13! Don't be silly said dad - go back to sleep....

Grandfather Clocks - A Brief History

Grandfather clocks were originally known as floor clocks or long case clocks. A song written in 1875 called "The Grandfather's Clock" told the story of an aging floor clock that stood in the George Hotel in North Yorkshire, England. Two brothers managed the hotel. The clock began slowly losing time immediately upon the death of one of the brothers, and upon the death of the second brother, the floor clock stopped working altogether despite numerous attempts to have the clock repaired. Eventually new management gained control of the George Hotel, but the clock remained in place as a tribute to the two brothers who had faithfully managed the hotel for so many years. The term "grandfather clock" caught on quickly after the song became widely known and since then, what were originally known as floor clocks are commonly called Grandfather Clocks and are a cherished part of our culture.

Over the years there have been numerous improvements to time-keeping devices and grandfather clocks are no exception. In modern times, a grandfather clock is a statement of excellent taste and firmly rooted tradition. Grandfather clocks are commonly a family heirloom that is passed down through the generations. Grandfather clocks vary somewhat in size, but are generally 6 to eight feet tall and lend a stately appearance to any room. You can also find smaller versions of grandfather clocks, which are known as grandmother and granddaughter clocks. Families for centuries have passed a cherished grandfather clock from one generation to the next, and today there are grandfather clocks with great historical and sentimental value. Some of the oldest known grandfather clocks are still used as the models for the grandfather clocks we purchase today. You will also be able to find more modern version of the grandfather clock in varying styles and colors.

Each time you see a grandfather clock, remind yourself of where this term originated and give a bit of thought to the long history of these treasured timepieces and heirlooms. If you do not own a grandfather clock you will be happy to know that it is easy to start your own family heirloom and you will be able to find the perfect grandfather clock in all price ranges.

Article Source:http://www.ArticleBiz.com

Grandfather Clocks- Relive The Magic

Every child in high school learns that a pendulum's rate of swing (period) is proportional to its length. This is the only factor that affects the period. Galileo discovered this in 1582.

Today's grandfather clocks are the descendents of William Clement's clock from 1670. He had discovered that a longer pendulum meant more accurate timekeeping. The long pendulum had to be enclosed to prevent children (and adults) playing with it. Hence the long-case clock was invented. The name Grandfather Clock comes from Henry Work's 1875 song, "My Grandfather's Clock."

If your parents or grandparents had a grandfather clock you are certain to remember it well. Its sounding of every hour with a tremendously resonant goooooonnnngg, the way it kept you awake all night until you were used to it, the daily winding ritual, its sheer presence. Memories of these fantastic historical clocks are held precious by more than one generation.

Modern homes are often too small to accommodate a grandfather clock easily, but it is worth the effort necessary to fit one in. It makes a much more attractive feature than a 45 inch television, and homes were never designed to accommodate one of those either.

Some people buy one to remind them of their youth, or perhaps, to give their children similar fantastic memories of the sight, sound and presence of this amazing timepiece.

You can build your own grandfather, or long case, clock from plans or kits. The kits come in a variety of finishes, from blond pine to darkest rosewood. The plans will include cutting lists for timber that is required.

The one thing you absolutely must do before you buy a clock, or kit is to listen to its chimes. If you cannot find a clock made from the kit you have chosen, then choose another kit. Clocks made from kits and plans will vary in tone, because of differences in resonance qualities caused by differing woods and construction skill levels.

You are going to live with this for a many years; you have to like the sound of your clock.


Article Source: ArticleRich.com

Clock collection fetches £98,000

Clock collection fetches £98,000 .Clocks collected by a 91-year-old man, who died earlier this year, raised £38,000 more than expected when they were sold at an auction in Kent.
Leslie Brundle was a carpenter and self-taught horologist who restored antique clocks and also made his own.

The Canterbury Auction Galleries said Mr Brundle's modest Margate home gave no hint of its contents when he died.

The extensive private collection was expected to raise £60,000 but fetched £98,000 when it was sold on Tuesday.


'Standing like soldiers'

"I knew he was a collector; I had no idea of the quality of his collection," auctioneer Anthony Pratt said.

He said Mr Brundle's three-bedroom semi was full of clocks, including 15 grandfather clocks and more than 60 wall and mantel clocks.

"There were clocks everywhere, eight or 10 on every wall, behind doors and standing like soldiers in every room.

"It was like stepping into a clockmaker's workshop."

Mr Brundle was born in London in 1912 and moved to Margate, Kent, when he was a small boy.

'Too shy to bid'

He spent all his life in Thanet and worked as a carpenter producing doors, windows and general joinery work for the building trade....