Antique Grandfather Clock

The Antique Grandfather Clock at my grandparents sat on a landing, a resting area, in the middle of the master staircase. I always thought it was wonderful as a kid, especially when it struck on the hour.

A grandfather clock is also called a longcase clock, tall-case clock, or floor clock. It's a freestanding clock, as much a piece of furniture or art as a clock, and has a pendulum inside its tower. Most strike on the hour or fraction of the hour. Supposedly they were first developed, or invented if you will, by English clockmaker William Clement in 1670.

They have been around a long time, and as they last forever, there are plenty of antique grandfather clocks around. Sometimes the terms "grandmother clock" or "granddaughter clock" is used. There is no official difference in these terms, although Wikipedia suggests the consensus is that grandfather clocks are over 6 feet, grandmother clocks are 5-6 feet, and granddaughter clocks are less than 5 feet tall.

My grandparent's antique grandfather clock had a 30 hour movement, meaning it needed to be wound once a day, plus or minus, specifically every 30 hours. Some antique ones had 8 day movements, meaning they needed to be wound every week, plus or minus a little. All modern grandfather clocks have 8 day movements.

I well remember my grandfather winding the grandfather clock with a key he'd insert in a hole in the face and turn. Sometimes he'd let me help, although I wasn't strong enough to turn it myself. Some other grandfather clocks have chains that are pulled instead of a key that is cranked.

Grandfather clocks are still made today by several manufacturers, including Hermle Clocks, The Howard Miller Clock Company, The Seth Thomas Clock Company, Ridgeway Clocks, and the Bulova Watch Company.

Historically they have been made by numerous clockmakers, including numerous in England.

I love grandfather clocks, and have a special fondness for the antique grandfather clock my grandparents had! Antique grandfather clocks, not surprisingly, can be very valuable as well.