Before I go on and on about the antique clock I bought recently, I’m going point out the elephant in my living room: an antique mechanical wall clock is truly, hopelessly obsolete.
- It requires regular winding and care.
- It keeps woefully inaccurate time compared to even the cheapest modern quartz watch.
- It is only usable in one place.
- It doesn’t correct itself or update for daylight savings time.
In short, the cellphone that is already in your pocket or purse is a superior timepiece to any antique clock like mine.
At this point, you’re probably asking, “Josh, if this antique clock is so lousy, why own it at all?” Well, consider this: although it may not be great as a timepiece, an antique clock makes a fantastic pet.
- It is well-behaved and makes a good impression on houseguests.
- It doesn’t shed or aggravate allergies.
- It makes a variety of endearing sounds.
- It requires feeding only once per week and leaves no messes to clean up.
- It it a better timekeeper than any other pet.
See– mediocre timepiece, brilliant pet.
Of course, this mission style clock is also a great vintage accessory for the living room where it fits in perfectly between the piano and the archway trim. It winds with a brass key that is really a kick to use, and now that I have fine-tuned the pendulum weight I only have to correct it by a few minutes each week.
But chiefly, the charm of the clock is its sound. That’s a hard thing to convey with words and pictures only, so I recorded a video clip talking about the clock and sharing all its ticks, tocks, dings and bongs in case you, too, might be thinking of bringing a pet mechanical clock into your home.
I'm Josh and since 2005 I have shared home improvement stories and ideas from my family's Arts & Crafts bungalow in Minneapolis, MN. I'm trying to combine the best of 1923 with the best of the 21st century-- and I hope it won't take another 88 years to do it.
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this! Completely understand giving inanimate objects in my house names and petting them on occasion. No pesky hairs on black pants is also a major plus. You and I are clearly excellent pet parents.
Cara
I had a clock like that. Somewhat useless to us because we would always forget to rewind it, but the sound it made was why we loved it.
Sounds about right, Deanna. I only remember to wind my clock because the chimes slow down when the spring tension is low.
I have a mantle clock that is a ‘wind up and chime’. I love the tick-tock sound that you can hear all over the living room.
My sister has our grandfather’s old office clock – I had a clock specialist repair it for her for Christmas last year as it was no longer even a ‘pet’ clock. The gears in the winding box had frozen, but for about $90 it was all put to rights. So even if you can’t find one in working order, talk to an old school jeweler/clockmaker to see if it can be fixed before rejecting it.
I love the clock! The old sounds of them is well worth keeping it around.
Janet
Door251.com
So…. I watched your clock video and immediately became inspired to have one of my own. I found one on eBay – good price, good condition, but when it arrived no key was included. I know I can purchase one, but I’m not sure of the specifications. Do you happen to know the size/type of key that you have for your clock? Any insight would be helpful.
Thanks!
Elizabeth
Hello Josh!
I am so glad I found your blog today. It was on “Young House Love’s” blogroll. I especially enjoyed this post, because it reminded me of my peculiar relationship with European clocks.
I have a love/annoying relationship with clocks like yours. I cherish the charming look of these clocks and the various sounds the clock makes to communicate with us. My parents have a shelf-clock from the 40s in England. It is my Nana’s. This clock sits in a cherry box with a lid. They display the clock w/the lid open.
When I visit them, I get the room with that clock. However, as I fall asleep at night, I need it to be as quiet as possible. (When I’m asleep, noise is not an issue.) So, it is not enough to simply close the lid because I can still hear the ticking of the clock! I have to put the closed clock in the hall & close my door. So, despite my appreciation of these clocks, I probably could not sleep on your couch, Josh. I would have to sleep in a room that has a door that I can close!
Thanks so much for sharing your lovely clock & letting me reminisce on my past experiences with clocks from my countries of origin: Canada & England!
Monique