Over the years, I’ve been happily posting two articles every week, and it’s been such a joy to share stories, discoveries, and little bits of horological history with you. But starting next week, I’m slowing the pace just a touch—one article a week, every Monday. Think of it as our standing Monday coffee together, with … More Moving Forward With A New Rhythm: Weekly Monday Posts| Antique and Vintage Clocks
Mention of the Blackforest Clock Company immediately brings to mind the Black Forest region in Germany. However, Blackforest was actually a Canadian clock company founded in 1928 in Toronto, Ontario, by Austrian immigrants Leopold and Sara Stossel. The company initially imported both clock movements and complete clocks from Germany, marketing them through department stores and … More A Simple Mantel Clock Made by the Blackforest Clock Company| Antique and Vintage Clocks
Antique clocks are more than just timekeepers—they’re pieces of history that deserve thoughtful care and placement in your home. While it’s tempting to display them wherever they look best, some locations can cause serious harm to their delicate movements and finishes. Knowing where not to place your antique clock is just as important as choosing … More Top 6 Locations to Avoid for Antique Clock Placement| Antique and Vintage Clocks
Tick-Talk Tuesday is a special time when I respond to readers’ letters and comments about clock issues, challenges, and recommendations for specific clocks. When the comments and questions are especially complex, I consult with fellow clock enthusiasts within my circle to ensure I offer the most precise and helpful answers possible. David P writes I … More Tick Talk Tuesday #59 | Identifying a Tallcase Clock| Antique and Vintage Clocks
In late June 2025, I received an invitation to attend the installation of a historic Nova Scotia family clock. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend the July 12th ceremony, but I asked the museum manager if I could publish the public service announcement on this blog. She agreed and gave permission to include photos as … More Celebrating the Return of Nova Scotia’s Bishop Family Clock| Antique and Vintage Clocks
We are quite accustomed to the accuracy of quartz clocks which lose or gain mere milli-seconds per week. Contrast that with an era when folks were content to accept that their mechanical clock would be a minute fast or slow through the week, and it was a common practice to make small adjustments over the … More Top Reasons Your Mechanical Antique Clock Runs Slow: Tips & Fixes (2025 Ed.)| Antique and Vintage Clocks
Having worked on a number of German and American clock movements recently, I began reflecting on the differences in design philosophy, construction methods, and overall durability between modern German movements from the past 30 to 40 years and American movements made over a century ago. These comparisons reveal not just technical contrasts but also shifting … More Built to Last? Comparing Antique and Vintage Clock Movements| Antique and Vintage Clocks
If you’ve ever browsed online classifieds for a clock, you know you’re in for a treat—part treasure hunt, part comedy hour. From clocks that “work perfectly” except for that one little thing (like the hour hand missing) to listings that boldly proclaim an antique piece just needs “batteries,” the world of secondhand horology is a … More Humourous Clock Ad Phrases| Antique and Vintage Clocks
If you’ve ever browsed an antique shop or clock auction and marveled at the craftsmanship of century-old clocks, you might find yourself thinking: “They sure made things better back then.” And while that’s sometimes true — many antique clocks were built with care and skill — there’s a hidden trap in that assumption. It’s called … More Looking Beyond the Surface: How Survivorship Bias Shapes Our View of Antique Clocks| Antique and Vintage Clocks
How It All Began: My First Steps with WordPress Ten years ago, I attended a staff development conference workshop on WordPress. The instructor promised that by the end of the three-hour session, we would each have a live blog up and running. Wow, now that’s impressive, I thought! I was intrigued and started thinking about … More 10 years of Clock Blogging | What I’ve Learned Along the Way| Antique and Vintage Clocks
To all my horology friends south of the border—Happy Independence Day! As you gather with friends and family to celebrate the birth of your nation, I wanted to take a moment to salute your enduring love for antique and vintage clocks. Whether you collect Ansonia, Seth Thomas, Gilbert, or Howard, or any of the other … More Time to Celebrate: A 4th of July Note to My Clock Friends in the U.S.| Antique and Vintage Clocks
In the winter of 2017, I took on the restoration of a Junghans Crispi wall clock, made in Schwenningen, Germany. Built in the Vienna Regulator style, the clock came to me as a box of parts—an exciting challenge, especially once I learned of its remarkable history. This clock survived the Halifax Explosion on December 6, … More Dating a Historic Junghans Crispi Wall Clock| Antique and Vintage Clocks
This post has nothing to do with clock collecting or repair, but why not take a moment to celebrate Canada’s 158th birthday? On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty’s loving subjects throughout Canada to join in celebrating the anniversary of the formation of the … More Our National Day of Canada of celebration is July 1st| Antique and Vintage Clocks
There are four general categories of clocks: quartz, electro-mechanical, electric, and mechanical. Mechanical clocks—whether antique or vintage—are the focus of this discussion on why a clock might run slowly. We’ve become accustomed to the accuracy of quartz clocks, which lose or gain only milliseconds per week. Contrast that with an era when people were content … More Common Reasons Your Clock Is Running Slow| Antique and Vintage Clocks
In the spring of 2022, I brought home a handsome gallery clock from an auction—an English-made piece with a 10-inch dial. What caught my attention initially was its clean, industrial look, but once I opened it up, I found it had just as much character on the inside. I was hoping for a fusee clock, … More The Empire Gallery Clock: Built to Impress| Antique and Vintage Clocks
If you spend any amount of time browsing online marketplaces for antique or vintage clocks, you’ll quickly become familiar with a common phrase: “Fully serviced and tested to ensure reliable running.” It sounds reassuring. But what does fully serviced really mean? As it turns out, the answer can vary greatly depending on who’s doing the … More Buying Antique Clocks: The Truth About ‘Fully Serviced’ Claims| Antique and Vintage Clocks
Perhaps you already have a good sense of what you consider “antique” versus “vintage.” But after years of poking around the internet looking for interesting old clocks, I keep seeing confusion over these terms. So, maybe it’s not as clear-cut as we think. Let’s start with the word “antique.” According to the United States Government … More What Makes a Clock Antique or Vintage?| Antique and Vintage Clocks
As a clock enthusiast, collector, or someone simply looking to purchase a dependable antique or vintage clock, it’s natural to consider all your options. Chinese-made mechanical clocks are often attractively priced and readily available through online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace and eBay, but before clicking “Buy Now,” it’s worth understanding why many horologists and repair … More Why You Should Avoid Buying Chinese-Made Mechanical Clocks| Antique and Vintage Clocks
Mauthe mantel clocks are widely available in various shapes and sizes, often appearing on online marketplaces, at garage sales, flea markets, and in antique shops. However, not all are well-preserved—many show signs of age and neglect. This particular round-top mantel clock stands out for its excellent condition, especially considering its age. While commonly referred to … More The Unique Charm of Mauthe Buffet Clocks| Antique and Vintage Clocks
Back in 2017, I took on the restoration of a Junghans Crispi wall clock—a project that began with enthusiasm but has since tested my patience more than once. While the case restoration went smoothly, the movement has been another story. Despite professional servicing, bushing work, and later my own repair attempts, the strike side has … More Closing In on a Cure: The Ongoing Battle with a Junghans Crispi Movement| Antique and Vintage Clocks
In an era when Canadian furniture manufacturers were struggling to compete with international imports, one company stood out not just for its elegant craftsmanship but for the remarkable story behi…| Antique and Vintage Clocks
Hi there, and welcome to my little corner of the internet! My name is Ron Joiner, and for the past twenty years, I’ve been an avid hobbyist and collector in the world of antique and vinta…| Antique and Vintage Clocks
I receive a number of letters each day from clock enthusiasts, first-time buyers, and people who have inherited family clocks, among others. Typically, I share these letters—while keeping the write…| Antique and Vintage Clocks
It’s time to relax and slow down. For my wife and me, that means a welcome change of scenery as we travel to our cottage in central Canada to spend the summer season with friends and family. Our su…| Antique and Vintage Clocks