Everyone loves a grandfather clock. There's something wonderful about it. Childhood memories brought back of watching Nanna knit as the " Old Faithful "chimed "It's time for tea", or the stately room, full of treasures with an antique grandfather clock holding pride of place.
Ornate, elegant, not always discreet, yet unfailingly friendly and a comfort to behold. This is the grandfather clock.
The grandfather clock was borne out of the necessity in the 17 th century to accommodate a longer pendulum than those in the standard wall clocks of the day. Astronomers, constantly seeking more accurate methods of measuring time, determined clocks needed longer pendulums in order to achieve this.
Christiaan Huygens developed the first pendulum clock in 1656. Losing up to 10 minutes a day, however, these clocks were very inaccurate. William Clement, in 1670, opined that the clocks would keep better time if the pendulums were even longer and so the clocks grew taller. These new clocks were originally called "Long Case Clocks" and even "Coffin Clocks" because of their size, shape and the opening doors at the front. The phrase "Grandfather Clock" would be coined over two centuries later.
It is believed that the first reference to these clocks as "Grandfather Clocks" came in the mid-19 th century. In 1856 a man by the name of Henry Clay Work stayed at "The George" Hotel in North Yorkshire, England. Inside the hotel was an old grandfather clock that didn't work. (It was called a "long case clock" then.) When Henry asked why, the proprietor told him that it stopped at the precise moment "the last Jenkins brother died." The Jenkins' were previous owners of the hotel and until it stopped, the clock had kept perfect time. Henry Clay was so moved by this story he wrote a song about it, using the lyric "My Grandfather's clock ." The song became very popular and well known which led to people referring to these long case clocks as "Grandfather Clocks".
Grandfather clocks are still very popular today with companies such as Howard Miller manufacturing heirloom type pieces in both traditional and modern designs. In fact, Howard Miller grandfather clocks have long been favoured wedding or retirement gifts. Indeed, any hint of a discount Miller grandfather clock brings a flurry of enquiries immediately.
Buying a grandfather clock is surely one of life's most satisfying experiences. Whether an antique German grandfather clock or a modern piece by Howard Miller, Pearl or Bulova, the journey leading to the choice of timepiece is as enriching as the purchase itself.
Will it be a discovery of a discount grandfather clock in a wholesale warehouse or an antique, standing alone in the corner of someone's garage, neglected and forlorn, just waiting to be lovingly restored and admired once more?
Having brought your treasure home, how will you care for it? Maintenance of grandfather clocks is vital to ensure optimum timekeeping accuracy. If your grandfather clock is from a manufacturer such as Howard Miller, instructions will be given upon purchase along with, in most cases, a warranty. Be sure that you understand all warranty conditions before purchasing to avoid any difficulties should you need to use it.
If your grandfather clock was purchased second-hand, it is prudent to contact a reputable clock repairer to correctly set it in its place and advise you as to the proper care and maintenance.
Having taken all necessary steps and seeing your new grandfather clock standing proudly in its new home, there is but one thing left to do.
Enjoy it.
