Longcase clocks were invidually hand-made during the golden age of change that took place between the late seventeenth and mid-nineteenth centuries. Longcase clocks with their seventeenth century clock-making technology were innovative and incorporated an accurate pendulum clock within an attractive piece of domestic furnishing. This invaluable book is essential reading for all those who own and collect longcase clocks as well as clock repairers, horologists and conservationists. The authors provide detailed information about how longcase clocks work and how they are made. They also cover the theory and the 'best practice' practical steps that are required in longcase clock maintenance, restoration and conservation. The book outlines the history and horological development of longcase clocks; describes how longcase clocks can be dated; considers materials, tools and equipment; examines the movement and the associated simple, and more difficult, workshop procedures; covers maintenance and effective repairs; explains the more difficult woodwork procedures. Superbly illustrated with 300 colour photographs. Nigel Barnes and Austin Jordan provide advice and guidance in the field of antique horology and regularly run weekend courses.

"The grandfather clock, an entirely new kind of furniture, first appeared in the late seventeenth century. From then on, with its long case to protect pendulum and weights, its rugged movement and large, clear indication of time, it has been a success story right up to the present day. Virtually none of these clocks is beyond repair and often the work required is within the scope of inexperienced owners. This is the first full-length book to cover repair and restoration of these attractive and often valuable antiques, including their casework. The first part outlines how to clean and service the clock 'works' and also how to refurbish the dial, while in the second part restoration or casework, both structural repairs and finishing, is considered. The illustrations are of two actual clocks (one eight-day and one thirty-hour) and work proceeding on them. The last part of the book sketches common variations from these particular examples. Armed with this book and appropriate tools (for work on both movement and case), the owner of a dilapidated grandfather clock will be encouraged and given the know-how to restore it to life as a useful and attractive clock and a prized possession."--Wheelers.co.nz.

This book provides a concise survey of the devleopment of the longcase clock in Britain. It explains how time is measured, how a pendulum regulates a clock and what keeps it swinging. The manufacture and characteristics of clock dials, hands and cases are described in a manner designed to help the reader identify and date clocks. The book concludes with useful advice on the care of clocks, transporting them, and buying and selling.

This up-to-date, clearly written and beautifully illustrated book is targeted at the amateur repairer and at the absolute beginner with no experience, as well as at hobbyists who often dabble with, but have little knowledge of, the techniques used in quality horological repair work. Written by a professional clock repairer and using a common sense approach, this workshop companion for the beginner 'keeps things simple' whilst placing an emphasis on the quality of the work. It provides step-by-step illustrated instructions and simplifies a large variety of tasks that are often regarded as being complicated, such as re-pivoting, jewelling and bushing. Moreover, it presents a great deal of useful advice and contains over 400 high quality colour images that help to explain and clarify every procedure that is covered. This no-nonsense guide to rectifying the common faults found in mechanical clocks will be essential reading for all those interested in horology but specifically for the novice who wants to repair mechanical clocks according to best practice. Beautifully illustrated with 424 colour photographs.

This practical, informative and beautifully illustrated book will be essential reading for all those with a passion for mechanical clocks. It will be of particular interest to both amateurs and professionals alike who wish to work on clock cases and restore them in the correct way according to modern best practice. The authors, both experienced horological restorers, examine in detail the restoration processes and provide detailed descriptions, and a wealth of photographs and diagrams. Difficult, and often misunderstood, areas of restoration and conservation are explained in the context of twenty-first century thinking. The haphazard approach to clock case restoration, which has continued in some quarters almost to the present day, is no longer considered appropriate for preservation of the rapidly dwindling stock of clocks that represent our horological heritage. Accordingly, the authors emphasize that sensitive and sympathetic clock case restoration is essential and, indeed, is the most economically attractive approach to adopt. The book outlines the history of the main types of clock case made up to about one hundred years ago, and considers clock case woods and woodworking, and some of the special techniques involved in clock case construction, restoration and conservation. It demonstrates how a new clock case can be constructed, provides a clock case restoration study and describes the restoration of a number of other wooden clock cases. Covering both stone and metal clock cases of the 19th and 20th centuries and including a useful appendix which provides guidelines for restoring and conserving horological objects, this is an essential resource for all those who wish to work on clock cases and restore them in the correct way - whether amateurs or professionals. Beautifully illustrated with 500 colour photographs.

This antiquarian volume comprises a detailed guide to British clocks and notable clock makers. Written in clear, plain language and full of beautiful, detailed photographs, this is a volume that will be of considerable utility to antiques dealers and people with an interest in historical clocks. Although old, this book will be of timeless value to those with an interest in the subject, and it would make for a great addition to collections of allied literature. The chapters of this book include: A History Of Clocks And Watches, Past Present And Future, The Worshipful Company, Time Is Precious, and Short Bibliography. We are republishing this vintage book now in an affordable, modern edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction on the history of clocks and watches.

This is the only book dealing with antique British clocks with painted dials, also known as japanned or white dials. No prior knowledge is assumed in the reader and the book explains how even the beginner can very easily learn to assess the style, age and quality and even the region of origin of any painted dial clock. The development of dial and case style is explained in non-technical detail with 44 colour plates and 275 black and white illustrations. In particular, regional trends and tastes in cases are identified and explained in detail, a feature of no other book. Considerable attention is given to show how the trade worked in the past, including how the clockmaker and the customer selected their dials. The book is written in a manner which can easily be followed by the beginner or the inexperienced owner of a clock, but the expert will find much here that is new, including a fully-detailed list of every recorded dialmaker, essential for cross-checking the age of any clock. Required reading for the owner of any painted dial clock as well as collectors and dealers.