Antique vs. Modern Clocks: What Actually Holds Value
Age alone means very little. Four factors decide what a clock is worth.
Maker and rarity
A documented Seth Thomas, E. Howard or Vienna regulator by a known maker outperforms an unsigned clock of the same age by a wide margin.
Originality
Original dial, hands, glass and movement matter more than cosmetic perfection. A refinished case and replaced dial can cut value in half.
Condition of the movement
Buyers pay for a serviced, running movement. Undocumented replaced wheels or drilled-and-plugged repairs reduce value.
Documentation
Receipts, service records and a written appraisal are part of the value. We provide condition reports on every restoration.
When to call a clockmaker
If a clock has stopped, is losing more than a few minutes a week, sounds wrong when it strikes, or has been stored and not run, stop experimenting and have it inspected. Forcing a dry movement is the most expensive mistake a clock owner can make. We are at (214) 779-9792.
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Have a clock question we did not cover?
Call (214) 779-9792 — we answer clock questions whether or not you become a customer.