A Bunch of Barely Working Timepieces

Below you'll find images and names of different clocks. Click on one to learn more about it!
More clocks are soon to be added. Photographing, recording, and putting things up on the webstie takes a lot more time than I thought...

Some facts and thoughts on clocks

  1. You can tell if a clock is mechanical a few ways, but the easiest is to check for a place to wind it. Some clocks have skeumorphic winding holes, but can still be discerned as fakes upon close inspection.
  2. Clocks do have gears, but many of the spinning levers you'd see in clocks are instead referred to as "wheels"
  3. Alarm clocks are often thought to be worthless in clocksmithing circles. If you hate alarm clocks I'll have you know this is an alarm clock positive website!
  4. Movements are meant to be cleaned and oiled once in a while. Lack of maintenance is the most common killer of clocks, as the old oil turns into an abrasive sludge and wears away the metal. Never use 3in1 oil or WD40 on a clock!
  5. The little hammers that hit the chimes, can be voiced similarly to piano hammers. I will frequently find leather tips compacted to an unreasonable degree in antique movements, creating a harsh and very loud tone when striking the chimes. They can be voiced down by softening the leather with a stiff brush, creating instead a tone that is sonorous, resonant, and mellow.