Collecting Vintage Clocks
Jenni Kerala
December 19, 2007
The existence of online shops and auction sites makes collecting vintage clocks relatively easier than it used to be. This is because brick and mortar antique shops don't generally specialize in just selling clocks, requiring you to go from one store to another, just to check out the few antique clocks that they might have. Online though, you can easily compare these clocks, in terms of features and such, with a mere click of your mouse!
One popular collectible is the Jefferson Golden Hour Clock. Known as a mystery clock because of its hidden movement, this is an electric-powered clock that is famous for its mid-century design. It is also fairly easy to find online because of its lengthy period of manufacture, from 1949 to sometime in the mid-80s. This clock would work very well with mid-century decor or an Art Deco interior.
Another popular clock is the George Nelson String Clock. This is just about one of the rarest vintage clocks any collector would want to have in his or her collection. Made in the 1950's by Nelson for Howard Miller, the clock has a measurement of 19 1/2 inches across and makes a bold statement. This is one of the more difficult to find George Nelson clocks, especially with the cord still attached. It is also commonly referred to as the Spider web clock so be sure to try both names when searching for it.
Another vintage clock that is frequently sought after by collectors is the LeCoultre Atmos Clock. This is an ingenious clock that is powered by small changes in the atmosphere, hence the name. It was invented by an engineer named Jean-Leon Reutter who was curious whether a perpetual motion clock was actually possible and LeCoultre eventually bought his patent after he successfully invented the clock, but had difficulty marketing it.
Other antique clocks would also include the cuckoo clock, particular the Black Forest cuckoo clocks from Germany. Carved from wood, the cuckoo clock usually features intricate designs of leaves, crosses, and of course, the cuckoo bird that calls the hour. Still made in Germany, you can find both vintage and contemporary cuckoo clocks with very similar designs, so it's up to you whether you want an antique clock or a new one.
As you can see, there are many types of vintage and antique clocks available and they differ not only in appearances, but in operation. In establishing a collection, you can either go deep with one type of clock, collecting from a certain design era, a particular country or a particular manufacturer, or you could go broad with your collection and collect all types of clocks until you have at least one of each type. It's all up to you!
One popular collectible is the Jefferson Golden Hour Clock. Known as a mystery clock because of its hidden movement, this is an electric-powered clock that is famous for its mid-century design. It is also fairly easy to find online because of its lengthy period of manufacture, from 1949 to sometime in the mid-80s. This clock would work very well with mid-century decor or an Art Deco interior.
Another popular clock is the George Nelson String Clock. This is just about one of the rarest vintage clocks any collector would want to have in his or her collection. Made in the 1950's by Nelson for Howard Miller, the clock has a measurement of 19 1/2 inches across and makes a bold statement. This is one of the more difficult to find George Nelson clocks, especially with the cord still attached. It is also commonly referred to as the Spider web clock so be sure to try both names when searching for it.
Another vintage clock that is frequently sought after by collectors is the LeCoultre Atmos Clock. This is an ingenious clock that is powered by small changes in the atmosphere, hence the name. It was invented by an engineer named Jean-Leon Reutter who was curious whether a perpetual motion clock was actually possible and LeCoultre eventually bought his patent after he successfully invented the clock, but had difficulty marketing it.
Other antique clocks would also include the cuckoo clock, particular the Black Forest cuckoo clocks from Germany. Carved from wood, the cuckoo clock usually features intricate designs of leaves, crosses, and of course, the cuckoo bird that calls the hour. Still made in Germany, you can find both vintage and contemporary cuckoo clocks with very similar designs, so it's up to you whether you want an antique clock or a new one.
As you can see, there are many types of vintage and antique clocks available and they differ not only in appearances, but in operation. In establishing a collection, you can either go deep with one type of clock, collecting from a certain design era, a particular country or a particular manufacturer, or you could go broad with your collection and collect all types of clocks until you have at least one of each type. It's all up to you!
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