Home and Living

Mantel Clocks are usually wooden clocks a bit on the larger side with a large face and hands that can be viewed from a distance. Mantle clocks are a luxury item that can give the fireplace a classy and look. A fireplace mantel is incomplete until it is decorated with a mantel clock. Mantel clocks are available in all shapes and sizes with both Key wound and Quartz movements.

Types of mantle clocks

There are many different types of antique mantle clocks, however, many have been converted to an electronic system or quartz, as it is commonly known. Any piece of furnishing that is over sixty years old is categorized as an antique. The real antique clock will be driven by a key wound mechanism. This mechanism needs to be wound once a week or maybe several times in the week depending on the mechanism. The clocks that need to be wound once every week are known as eight-day clocks. Most of these movements are made in Germany. Today, however, there are many manufacturers that are making look-alike antique mantle clocks. These clocks look like the real thing and even have mechanical movements like the old clockmakers used o make.

Windup clocks need to be oiled and services every few years and the movements of these clocks should be cleaned at least once in ten years. Most antique clocks have chiming features. The more popular clocks chime four notes on the quarter hour, eight notes on the half hour, twelve notes on the three quarter hour and then strike the hour.

Styles of Antique Mantle Clocks

Howard Miler, Hermle, and Seth Thomas mantle clocks make the most famous antique mantle clocks. Their famous designs include wooden mantel clocks and chiming mantel clocks. Perhaps the most famous of these clocks is the cuckoo clock. This has a cuckoo bird popping out of a small opening at the top and singing cuckoo every hour.

The value of antique clocks will definitely increase over time if the clock is properly maintained and serviced as digital or electronic mechanisms are taking over with fewer people servicing antique clocks. So if anyone has a mantle clock that is over sixty years old it is a genuine heirloom and needs special care because it will be a priceless possession one day if it is not one already.