Breathing New Life into History: A Custom Grandfather Clock Restoration
February 17, 20262 min read
There is something irreplaceable about the weight and history of an antique timepiece. Recently, we had the pleasure of working on a unique commission: transforming the original brass dial and timber trunk of a vintage grandfather clock into a modern, timber-mounted quartz clock. This project wasn’t just about repair; it was about repurposing a family heirloom into a functional piece of art for a 21st-century home.
The Restoration Process: Step-by-Step
1. Preserving the Timber Trunk
The first step was selecting a section of the original wooden trunk which was not so badly affected by woodworm to serve as the new mount.
2. Restoring the Original Brass Dial
The heart of this project was the dial. Over decades, brass can become dull, tarnished, or "mucky" from old cleaning residues.
Deep Cleaning:We soaked the brass chapter ring and spandrels in a specialised solution to remove years of grime without stripping the soul of the piece.
Refining the Numerals:To ensure the time remains easy to read, we meticulously reapplied engraver's wax to the etched numerals and sanded it back to a flush, crisp finish.
Lacquering:Finally, we applied several light coats of high-quality lacquer. This protects the brass from future oxidisation, ensuring that golden glow lasts for another generation.
This shows the back of the dial - there was a crack running right through which we silver-soldered to strengthen it before any cleaning took place
The four corner spandrels were removed - one was broken. We soldered the two pieces together
The dial in it's rough state. Tarnished and numerals barely distinguishable.
It was soaked in a chemical bath for a couple of hours
Cleaning, buffing and polishing
Filling and filing the wax numerals. A painstaking process!
Making the central dial collet
Making a new centre collet to fit the new quartz movement
The cleaned and polished spandrels ready to re-attach
The finished product. Completion January 2026
The Best of Both Worlds:You get the historical soul of the brass dial with the reliable accuracy of a high-torque quartz motor. No winding required!
Your Local Clock Restoration Experts in the North West
If you have a family heirloom that has stopped ticking or a vintage dial gathering dust, we are here to help. Ourspecialist clock repair workshopis located in the heart of theNorth West of England, where we combine traditional horological skills with modern restoration techniques. Whether you are looking for a fullmechanical service, aquartz conversion, or a meticulousbrass dial restoration, our craftsmen provide a bespoke service for clients acrossCheshire, Lancashire, and Greater Manchester. Don't let your piece of history sit silent—bring it into our workshop and let us restore its former glory.
