TALL CLOCK DECISION

[TIC TOC DR.]

Hello everyone,I need advice on this question.If you could purchase a "new clock from furniture store offer"or an antique working in pretty good shape,what would you do?Price range is about even on the two clocks.Thank you in advance for your expert opion and advice.

 

[TIC TOC DR.]

Hello everyone,I need advice on this question.If you could purchase a "new clock from furniture store offer"or an antique working in pretty good shape,what would you do?Price range is about even on the two clocks.Thank you in advance for your expert opion and advice.

 

[owen.or]

I would vote antique all the way. Having said that, you might want to consider the condition of the movement in the antique clock since an o'haul is not free. You also will want to do some research on the value of the antique. Discussions of value are not allowed on this site, but there are books out there which give tall case values. Good Luck, David "owen.or"

 

[Robert Gary]

Antique City:

Welcome. When ever a question has been posed on this board about new vs. antique, antique won hands down. In fact, I don't think anyone said they would choose a modern production tall clock over a properly maintained antique.

RobertG

 

[lamarw]

May sound like a dumb question, but I would have to ask how old is the antique clock? If the response is older than a hundred which most consider an antique or even over 75 to 80 years of age then I would agree antique. Then, we do have to look at condition, and not just the fact that it is somewhat running. How is the case, dial, label and etc. Is it a weight driven or spring driven? A new clock with more features or better quality maybe a better deal at the same price than a piece of junk or some marriages. Could be better than a 30 to 40 year old clock with less features or quality. I saw a wonderful old weight driven ST case the other day that someone replaced the movement with a spring driven movement.

Lots more to look at than just age, and then there is the question as to whether either clock is a decent acquisition.

 

[Scottie-TX]

Any chance of two or three pix of the candidate "old clock", AC ? Perhaps full length, close-up on dial and rear of case if accessible. Da Duffer.

 

[new2clocks]

AC,

All things being equal, the antique wins.

However, my definition of a "new clock from furniture store offer" may differ from yours. My definition of such would be something mass produced from Asia.

On the other hand, if the furniture store clock was hand made by some of the artisans today who will custom make the cabinet and, presumably, the movement et.al., then the decison would be much tougher.

Regards.

 

[TIC TOC DR.]

I wish I could scoop you all up and put you in my pocket and go "clock looking".There are so many "rip-offs "that it makes you leary to buy anything without being very knowledgable about the item you want. I thank NAWCC for providing a place to converse with experts like yourself.Hopefully I'll find what I want soon with your help.I'll get the pics of the antique and put them on soon.

 

[Scottie-TX]

Wull, "AC", as you can see from my self-portrait I'm somewhat on th' light side, but still - a pocket - I don't think I'd fit. But yeah! I would LOVE to join you or anyone on a clock hunt and you KNOW I'm not an expert. But still - even if it's not an expert opinion - other opinions can be helpful if only subjective. Yeah! Post us some pixtures. But remember inflation has eroded the value of a picture - a picture is now only worth two thousand words. Da Duffer

 

[TIC TOC DR.]

I now have a pretty good chance at aquairng some type of Tall clock retailing in the neighborhood of $10,000.00 retail.Any suggestions on what type and brand I shoud request?I can live with old or new I guess.Thanks for any help.AC

 

[W.R. WoodWorking]

old- ask for a Joseph Knibbs, anything is possible these days
new- get a Howard Miller J.H. Miller model 611-030

 

[TIC TOC DR.]

Reply

Thank you.I went up on the net and saw this clock.This is the one for me!If he does the deal I'll let you know!Thanks again AC

 

[Chris-langston]

AC

If you have $10,000.00 to spend then I would find a Herchede Clock Co or a Colonial Clock Co Grandfather. A 5 tube (or bell) sounds great they are good timekeepers and they hold their value well.

 

[harold bain]

AC, for ten grand you should be able to get two or three Howard Millers. I would go with a Herschede, or similar vintage tubular chime. There is no comparison on the case and movement quality of these older ones to a modern Howard Miller. The disadvantage is that your kids will fight over who inherits it Harold

 

[W.R. WoodWorking]

i must disagree with you harold, you won't be able to get 2 or 3 of these Howard Millers.
This is the top of the line for H.M. list for $17000, retails around 10k at most dealers J.H. Miller model

 

[harold bain]

WR, I must admit that is a nice looking clock. Is it tubular chime? What kind of a movement do you get for that kind of money? My biggest beef with the new clocks is the disposable low quality movement they come with. Harold

 

[Richard T.]

WR,

Sorry to disagree but I also would not buy a new clock at any price. The movements do not last and are not made the way older ones are.

My 9 tube Herschede is from 1960, thus one of the later ones, but it is still a good clock.



For 10K I can buy a couple of good tall clocks.

Richard T.

 

[W.R. WoodWorking]

Well it has a Kieninger triple chime on 9 bells. Kieninger is the oldest existing mechanical movement manuf. in the world.
Joseph Kieninger (1872-1936), the founder of todays Kieninger Uhrenfabrik GmbH, was known for the high standards he lived by and expected from his personnel and products.
This is a limited edition clock, named after the founders son and CEO jack H. Miller. The case has 16 differant rare species of hardwood and veneers.

 

[W.R. WoodWorking]

didnt see your post rt, beutiful clock!! Well i know one can buy tall cases a lot cheaper than the H.M. and given a chose of the two I would go with the Herschede also, you just cant buy a good clock cheap, or you get what you pay for. I cant build that same clock in my shop for that, and I use Kieninger and Hermele movements in them. I guess it just according to what a person really wants and can pay for.

 

[Scottie-TX]

My opinion tho ya didn't even ask. Howard Miller probably makes good clocks. They don't make GREAT clocks. Visa viz topic "J.P. Bollenbach Barometer" where I share with you a Howard Miller barometer currently retailing for $850. containing a ten dollar barometer movement and a five dollar hygrometer. Hello Herschede! Da Duffer

 

[TIC TOC DR.]

I have a Herschede and if I had to leave my home and could only have one item it would be it.When I learn how to put a pic on I'll post a pic of it.On being able to afford items I am trying to work a deal with a going out of buisness Clock shop owner that wants to retire to his back yard for repair work only.I have a great little building that would make a great clock shop in a person's back yard or lot.I figure we both can come out on the deal.He gets a shop and I get a clock that I want.Ac

 

[Mike Phelan]

Originally posted by Chris-langston:
AC

If you have $10,000.00 to spend then I would find a Herchede Clock Co or a Colonial Clock Co Grandfather. A 5 tube (or bell) sounds great they are good timekeepers and they hold their value well.

For $10,000 you should not need to settle for any of these modern clocks! It should get you a nice 8-day LC from before 1770 :biggrin:

 

[chasbaz]

Mike,

Yes <sigh> but it looks like they are into the modern flashy thing so we'll have to give up on this one :biggrin:

 

[harold bain]

Let me get this straight WR. Your $17,000 list clock has a movement in it that I can replace for around $400. That is a lot of very expensive wood . Harold

 

[W.R. WoodWorking]

Thats the suggested retail pric, they usually sell for around 10k. yes fine wood is very expensive ,maybe not where you live but i have to have it shipped in. I give anywhere from $50 to $100 a board for Mahagony(2x8x88") including shipping, 8 to 20 dollars a board foot for figured woods, maple's, clario walnut, marbled walnut and so on.

 

[Mike Phelan]

Originally posted by chasbaz:
Mike,

Yes <sigh> but it looks like they are into the modern flashy thing so we'll have to give up on this one :biggrin:

All the more for us, Charles!

 

[TIC TOC DR.]

Looks like the clock man doesn't have enough money for a great shop to call his own.I guess I'll keep it and open up my own shop making small repairs and refinishing jobs.I'll need a catchy name thogh for my new Clock Repair service.Any suggestions for a great name?Thanks and I'll stick with antique clocks in my home only.They look and sound better anyway.Thanks for your help again,AC

 

[Scottie-TX]

Hmmmmm; Lessee, AC: "Catchy Name": catchy name - hmmmmm. Catc . . . Howzabout "The Tickery Doc"?

 

[Chris Radano]

"Antiques- they don't make 'em like they used to"

One thing about antique clocks... they stopped production. The better ones are one-of-a-kind (although similar ones may exist).

I would suggest NOT spending a large sum on one clock (not yet). Do some research, take time, decide what you like. Your taste may change, as your knowledge grows. With the internet, your research process may proceed quickly.

Of course, you could buy a nice piece. If later, you decide against keeping it, you may sell it.

 

[TIC TOC DR.]

Tickery doc sounds pretty good but where I'm located they would probably think I'm a HEART DOCTOR or something.Ha!

 

[harold bain]

AC, buying a new clock is like buying a new car. 25 to 50% of its value will disappear as soon as you take possession, and you may not live long enough for that clock to be worth as much as you paid for it. Whereas a quality antique will appreciate more over the years while you are getting the enjoyment out of it. :biggrin:
Harold

 

[TIC TOC DR.]

You're right Harold.I really didn't think about that.Thanks.