The history of timekeeping is intrinsically linked to the development of human society. A carved bone found in the Semliki Valley in the Democratic Republic of Congo is thought to be the first instance of man recording the passage of days.
Each time it happens people are caught off guard, so why do we change the clocks twice a year? Each October when the mornings are cold and dark, everyone feels grateful for an extra warm hour in bed.
With our rich and prolific history of clockmaking, picking our favourite famous UK clocks is no mean feat. As a result, we have chosen these examples as a showcase of those we consider worthy of interest.
While they obviously have monetary value based on age and scarcity, are antique clocks a good investment? Firstly, what does the term antique mean and how is it different to vintage? There is a tendency for unscrupulous or ill-informed sellers to label any old or worn collectible item as vintage.
The different types of mantel clocks can be defined by three categories of design: Movement, Case Style, and Construction Materials. Mantle clocks have been in use since the mid-18th century and the invention of the spring mechanism.
Whether through design, architecture or function, this is our choice of the top ten most famous clocks in the world. All are closely linked to the social and political history of their locations or commemorate a specific event in world history.
It may look the part, but how do I know if my grandfather clock is antique? With ‘antique’ usually used to describe clocks over 100 years old, most are. Modern forgeries are rare as plausible fakes are difficult to make and enough genuine examples still exist to supply the demand.
Whether yours is a recent purchase or a family heirloom, it is important to know how to look after a grandfather clock. Grand and imposing, yet elegant and delicate in its workings, a grandfather clock will be a treasured feature of the owners home.
The history of the grandfather clock stretches back further than most people would imagine. The first mechanical clock on record was built by the future Pope Sylvester II in 996 for the German town of Magdeburg.
