|
How to Buy Clocks
Though clocks are
relatively minor parts of your home décor, they can make all the difference
between a cozy room and a place that just doesn’t feel right. We provide the
perfect guide for you to decide which clocks are right for your home and inform
yourself about all the options that are open to you as you shop for a new
timepiece. Firstly, there are a plethora of clock types. Mainly, clocks are
broken down into the following categories: Grandfather Clocks, Wall Clocks,
Cuckoo Clocks, Mantel Clocks, and Tabletop/Desktop Clocks. A closer examination
of each type will reveal the unique characteristic that these clocks possess.
Table of Contents
Grandfather Clocks
Perhaps the most
elegant and impressive clocks are those of the grandfather persuasion. When
shopping for grandfather clocks, keep in mind that they are also known as floor
clocks, tallcase or longcase clocks. Though their beauty and class are
unmatched, they are the most expensive types of clocks, with some costing
upwards of $5,000. Thusly, be sure that the clock you select is perfect for you
because it is a significant investment.
Styles
Grandfather clocks can be
broken down into three main styles:
Traditional
A vast majority of grandfather
clocks are traditional, with features like a solid wood cabinet or an
intricately designed crown. They usually have a wood-colored finish, such as Oak
or Forest Cherry. Traditional clocks work best in classic homes. They are
enduring timepieces that add elegance and grace to any living area.
Contemporary
Contemporary grandfather clocks
are a better fit for the modern home. They feature aspects like a more
streamlined design and chrome or metal finishes. These clocks have cabinets with
a less conventional shape. For example, instead of a rectangular cabinet that is
so common among traditional grandfather clocks, contemporary timepieces might
have a dial and pendulum housed in a uniquely shaped design, such as an oval or
a triangle.
 Transitional
Transitional grandfather clocks
are the perfect mix of the positive elements of contemporary and traditional
grandfather timepieces. Their designs are not quite as daring as those of
contemporary clocks but do offer a slight deviation from the traditional style.
Curio grandfather clocks are mostly of the transitional persuasion, as are any
clocks with a less ornate design. Transitional clocks would work well in any
type of home because their qualities make them applicable to both classic and
modern furniture layouts.
Chime Options
Grandfather
clocks feature a wide selection of chimes. They are: Westminster, Whittington,
St. Michael, Ave Maria, Ode to Joy, and Winchester. Each chime has a unique
sound and an equally fascinating history behind it.
Westminster
These
chimes are believed to come from the song “I know that my redeemer liveth.” It
was written in 1793 for a clock in St. Mary the Great, which was the University
Church in Cambridge. In the mid-19th century, however, the clock
tower at the Palace of Westminster began using this melody, gaining it its fame.
The tune follows the words:
“Lord through
this hour,
Be Thou our guide
So, by Thy power
No foot shall
slide.”
Whittington
These
chimes gained significance in London in 1392. The melody was first heard ringing
from the bell tower of St. Mary le Bow. At the time, a penniless boy named Dick
Whittington was heading out of London when he heard the melody and believed it
to be saying:
“Turn again,
Whittington,
Lord Mayor of
London Town.”
Whittington returned to
eventually serve as Lord Mayor of London no less than three times.
St. Michael
This
melody is especially significant to the heritage of the United States. The bells
were originally cast in London but installed in the St. Michael’s Church in
South Carolina in 1764. However, the British took over Charleston during the
Revolutionary War and took the bells back to England. They traveled to America
and back to England on several occasions until they were finally installed in
the St. Michael Steeple on March 21, 1867. It was then that they rang out:
“Home again, home
again
From a foreign
land.”
Ave Maria
The history of this
melody began in 1825 when Franz Schubert wrote 7 songs based on the poem “The
Lady of the Lake” by Sir Walter Scott. The poem was about a woman named Ellen
Douglas who lived in hiding in the woods because her father had formerly
offended King James V. While in the woods, Ellen sang a prayer for the safety of
her and her father. This song was sung often by sopranos under the title “Ave
Maria.”
Ode to Joy
This
melody is an ode written in 1875 by Friedrich Schiller, a German poet and
historian. It is known for its musical setting by Ludwig van Beethoven in the 4th
movement of his Ninth Symphony.
Winchester
These chimes were
named for the Winchester Cathedral, where they were first heard. Norman
conquerors did not like the Saxon chimes and instead rebuilt the Winchester
chimes in 1093. The current cathedral is located in Hampshire, England. Its
lyrics are:
“O Art Divine,
exalted blessing!
Each celestial
charm expressing!
Proudest gift the
gods bestow
Sweetest chimes
that mortals know.”
Most clocks have
options that allow the chimes to be turned off either manually or automatically.
This can be done by a lever on the dial or by draw-cords located in the clock
cabinet. Some newer clocks come with automatic night shut-off, which quiets the
clock between the hours of 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Of course, there is usually a
manual shut-off option for late risers, so that the chimes do not wake up anyone
in the household.
Crowns
A crown is
the topmost part of the grandfather clock. It is one of the most important
ornamentations of the clock cabinet. There are five main crown types. They are:
bonnet, split pediment, federal, arched, and flat.
 Bonnet
A bonnet crown has
a wavy design and forms the general shape of a semi-circle above the clock face.
It adds elegance and grace to the clock cabinet and is usually featured on
traditional grandfather clocks.
 Split Pediment
This crown
type resembles the bonnet kind except for the fact that the middle is split.
There is usually an enhancing decoration such as a finial in the middle of the
split. Like the bonnet, this crown is common among traditional grandfather
clocks.
 Federal
A
federal crown combines the flat design with a triangle in front to create a
decorative and interesting ornament. It is flexible and can be found both on
traditional and transitional clock models.
 Arched
An arched crown has
a curve above the dial with little ornamentations. This allows for the dial to
be the main attraction of the clock. Arched crowns are common on transitional
grandfather clocks.
 Flat
Flat crowns can
either be wider than or the same width as the cabinet body. It presents a
simplistic but decorative way to finish off the top of the clock. Like the
arched crown, this design is common in transitional or even contemporary
grandfather clock models.
Diagram
Below is a diagram
of the grandfather clock cabinet and its features, as well as the dial and all
the parts that entail it.
 
WALL CLOCKS
Wall clocks
are essential to any home. They serve many purposes, such as getting rid of bare
walls and providing an accurate and efficient timepiece. Some wall clocks are
multi-functional and have additional features, such as a barometer, a calendar
dial, or musical chimes. The melody choices are not as wide as those of
grandfather clocks, but the Westminster melody is still the most common one
played. Most wall clocks come in two distinct designs – a circular case or a
more decorative rectangular one. Nevertheless, the case plays no bearing on the
functionality of the timepiece. Wall clocks come in a plethora of styles, from
replicas of antiques to the most modern clocks available. Many also offer the
option of several finishes, so that you can pick out the color that fits the
design of your home best. Clocks that are very large (at least 24” in diameter)
are called Gallery Wall Clocks.
CUCKOO CLOCKS
Cuckoo
clocks are special wall or shelf clocks that announce time intervals with a
flare. This is done either with a sound or the appearance of a bird or another
ornament. They are run by a pendulum and 3 weights. The first weight and
pendulum are responsible for keeping the time. Meanwhile, the second weight
controls the cuckoo (or another figurine), and the third weight manages the
music. The weights are located under the clock and drop gradually as it runs.
Cuckoo clocks either have one-day or eight-day movement. As the names imply, a
one-day clock requires the owner to pull the weights every day to keep it
running. The eight-day clock only requires this every eighth day.
Styles
Cuckoo clocks have
three distinct styles: Traditional, Chalet, and Novelty.
Traditional
Traditional cuckoo clocks usually feature nature scenes. Examples of such scenes
could be flowers or animals. All of the decorations are hand-carved, which makes
each clock unique and special.
Chalet
Chalet clocks are contained in mountain cabin or chalet-styled houses. Though a
house is the foundation of the design, many features and themes are available,
which allows you to shop for a chalet clock that most closely matches your
interests.
Novelty
As
the name implies, novelty cuckoo clocks feature unique themes. For instance,
some clocks are in the shape of animals, such as a dog, cat, or owl. They are
more contemporary than chalet or traditional clocks and are frequently more
colorful. Nevertheless, these cuckoo clocks are just as functional as their more
classic counterparts, traditional and chalet.
MANTEL CLOCKS
As their
name implies, mantel clocks are most commonly placed on shelves or mantels above
the fireplace. Of course, they can be placed on tables or desks and serve as a
more-than-adequate replacement for tabletop clocks. Mantel clocks often have
chimes, and, as with wall clocks, Westminster is the most common and popular
choice. However, other chime options are available. If you prefer the
Whittington melody, for instance, there are mantel clocks available that will
satisfy your needs. However, as it is less popular and widespread than the
Westminster melody, your selection will be limited.
Styles
Mantel
clocks come in cases with several different styles. They are: Tambour,
Bracketed, Arched, Carriage, and Anniversary.
 Tambour
Tambour Mantel clocks are drum-shaped with a wide base. They are similar to
arched clocks.
 Bracketed
Bracketed Mantel clocks have a rectangular case with a more simplistic design.
To make up for this, they often come with an extra function, such as a drawer
that could be used for storage of small jewelry items like a necklace or rings.
 Arched
Arched Mantel clocks are also drum-shaped, except the base is narrow and the
arch runs straight down from the top to the bottom of the clock.
 Carriage
Carriage clocks are named that way because of their shape. Their case is similar
to that of a bracketed clock, but carriage clocks feature a hinged carrying
handle on the top. They are also known as lantern clocks.
 Anniversary
The
Anniversary Mantel clock
usually has a brass base and a glass dome. They are called Anniversary clocks
because they run for a year without needing to be wound or have their battery
changed. Thus, they need to be cared for once a year, on their anniversary.
  TABLETOP/DESKTOP CLOCKS
Tabletop and
Desktop clocks basically serve the same purpose: ornamenting an empty table or
desk with a stylish, yet practical, timepiece. The biggest difference between
the two clocks is that desk clocks are more functional. For instance, a table
clock would keep time while a desk clock would do the same while also being a
pen holder or having a calculator. Thusly, tabletop clocks are usually more
ornamental because less effort is spent on their extra features. So, when
purchasing a table or desk clock, you must focus on your needs. It is a toss-up
between decoration and functionality. After deciding what matters most to you,
the choice between desktop or tabletop clocks should be easy to make. Both clock
types, however, come in both traditional and contemporary styles with many color
options.
FEATURES
Regardless of what kind of
timepiece you choose to purchase, there are certain features that span
throughout the clock varieties.
Quartz Movement – This
means that electronic signals pass from a battery to a quartz crystal, which
allows the clock to run precisely.
Analog vs. Digital Clocks –
Analog clocks use hour, minute, and second hands to display time. Meanwhile,
digital clocks use either a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or a Light Emitting
Display (LED) to show time in digits.
Radio
Controlled Clock – This is also known as an Atomic Clock. It uses radio
signals that it receives from the U.S. Atomic Clock, located in Fort Collins,
Colorado and run by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. It is
the most accurate clock in the world, which allows your Atomic Clock to run with
precision and adjust itself to Daylight Savings Time.
World Time – This is an
option on some clocks that enables their owners to see what time it is in other
areas in the world. If, for instance, it were 1:00 p.m. in Los Angeles, the
World Time clock would show that it is 9:00 pm in London.
OVERVIEW
Now that you have read about
the many different clock types and the options they offer, you are better
prepared for the purchase of your next timepiece. The key is to create the
perfect balance of cost, functionality, and appearance. If such a balance is
reached, the clock you purchase is sure to fill your needs without emptying your
wallet.
TheClocksOnline.com knows that this balance is important. That is why we
provide you with the opportunity to choose from a plethora of different clocks
with a myriad of features at exceptional prices and to select the timepiece
that fits your home best. |
