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Collecting antique German cuckoo clocks is actually not just fun to do; it is also an educational hobby. For one thing, starting this collection distinguishes you from other antique clock collectors. This is because most collectors do not really go out and buy more than one antique German cuckoo clock for their collection.

Yes, antique clocks can indeed be pricey. In fact, they can be more expensive than contemporary clocks. But they are very rewarding to have because of their designs and styles that just set them apart from your usual cuckoo clock. Its wooden art designs carved by hand is more than reason enough to consider starting your own collection.

German cuckoo clocks have a long history to them as well, having been manufactured for nearly three centuries already. The fact that they were produced in the cold mountain villages of Germany also contributes to this rich history. Back in the days, villagers spent the winter months away from mining the mountains or plowing their fields because winter can be very harsh in the German mountains.

With all that time in their hands, they kept busy perfecting the craft of making cuckoo clocks. This became the focus of the people who lived in the Black Forest region during winter. As time passed by, the declining demand for farm products and the depletion of mining resources soon led to the people of this region having more and more free time. This gave them all the more opportunities to produce just about the best cuckoo clocks the world has ever seen.

German clocks are also as unique as any cuckoo clock can be. The whimsical sights, the endearing sounds, and the exceptional movements, these are just some of the factors that make the hobby of collecting them very well worth it. The rich culture of Germany is also incorporated in the designs of these clocks.

Aside from the usual cuckoo chirping at each hour, some clocks have dancing women or gun toting hunters decorating them. There are also clocks that release wood-choppers with axes, chopping wood as the clock chimes at the top of the hour. With each design, you are actually shown a part of the vibrant culture and history of Germany. A unique story is told every time these clocks come to life.

The more elaborate designs of these clocks include the chalet styles. Usually, the cuckoo clocks are designed in the shape of a Black Forest chalet. These clocks would have more animated figurines and various focal points as the top of the hour strikes down. Collecting antique German cuckoo clocks would not be complete without these chalet types.

There are many antique wall clocks but none compare to the antique 1880’s cuckoo clocks. These clocks are considered one of the greatest achievements of the eighteenth century and were seen as one of the greatest advances in technology. They combined scientific discovery and fine craftsmanship into a practical work of art. Regarded as one of the most unique antique wall clocks having stood the test of time and are still considered to be a great gift.

Antique 1880’s cuckoo clocks are big business in today’s antique market. A well-preserved one can earn thousands of dollars in an antique auction. However, many of those available for sale today are not from the eightieth century but from the mid-ninetieth to early-twentieth centuries. These antique wall clocks are still considered antiques and are usually worth the money you invest in one.

To determine if you have a eighteenth or ninetieth century antique cuckoo clock look for a trademark stamp placed by the craftsman when it was made. Trademark stamps are tracked and researched by many antique dealers, if it has a mark you may be able to determine who originally created it and where the it came from. Antique cuckoo clocks from certain craftsmen or certain locations may be worth more money, make sure you do your research before paying higher than market value for a it because of its creator or birth location.

Many families are currently in possession of 1880’s antique cuckoo clocks and they probably have no idea how much the clock is worth. There are countless stories of someone selling one at a garage or estate state for a few hundred dollars only to find out later that it was worth thousands of dollars. However, you cannot guarantee that the antique wall clocks you find at a garage sale are really an antique worth a lot of money. Some manufactures are still making cuckoo clocks and they may look like the antique to the untrained eye.

Why are antique 1880’s cuckoo clocks worth so much money? It comes down to the law of supply and demand. There is more demand for these then the supply available. The demand continues to rise as more people become interested in owning and preserving one.

If you do purchase an antique cuckoo clock or any antique wall clocks treat it with care, respect the years this timepiece has stood, and look inside: sometimes people use to hide things in their clocks.

MySpace is one of the most popular social networks on the internet with over 100 million users and a rank of 6th place on Alexa.com. Because of the ability to greatly customize profile pages many sites have been created to help MySpace users create custom pages with graphics, name generators, photo album scrollers and many more widgets.
I am going to concentrate on one particular widget in this article and that is the countdown clock widget.

Countdown clocks

A countdown clock widget allows you to countdown to a certain day, for example Christmas day is on the 25th of December, so you would enter that date in the countdown widget and the widget will then display a count down in days, hours, minutes and seconds till the 25th of December. There are a number of different types of countdown widget available including birthday, wedding, vacation, public holidays and many more. The most popular countdown timer widget at the time of writing this article is the Pregnancy countdown timer with over 3000 searches a day. Pregnancy countdown timers are used to countdown to the date your baby is due and work just like any other countdown timer.

To look for countdown clocks for your MySpace profile go to Google and search for MySpace countdown timers, there will be many to choose from with different designs, text fonts, animations, colors and sizes, when you have found one that best matches your profile layout enter the widget code in the section you would like to place the widget.

Sharing music

Another great feature of MySpace is the music sharing facility, this enables you to search for a band on MySpace and then select a song to add to your profile page, when a visitor looks at your profile the song will play in the background automatically if it is set to do so in the options of your profile.

Bands can also set up profiles for there band and upload there music in mp3 format for users to add to there profile, this is a great way of getting your band noticed.

Grandfather clocks. Amazing pieces of machinery. Very few people understand how they work and even fewer know how to fix one, should something go wrong. Bringing to a repair shop is going to cost you an arm and a leg, so if you have a grandfather clock that’s not exactly running up to snuff and you don’t have the bucks to fix it, then you might want to try to tackle the job by yourself. In order to do that, aside from needing some mechanical expertise, you’re going to need some troubleshooting tips, since these marvels can get pretty complicated. This article is going to cover some of the things to do when trying to fix the old man.

Let’s start with the most common problem of a grandfather clock. The pendulum itself stops swinging.

The first thing you have to do is make sure the clock weights have been pulled up. Sometimes all that needs to be done is simply wind the weights. This can really save an unnecessary repair.

Next check the hands. Are they touching each other? If they are this will stop the pendulum from swinging. If they are touching and the time train is jammed all you need to do is push the hour hand slightly towards the dial in order to clear the minute hand. Just make sure it doesn’t touch the dial.

Next, check to see if the hands are touching the glass. If they are, all you have to do is bend the minute hand away from the glass.

If by some chance you’ve recently moved your grandfather clock (they are very temperamental and don’t like to be moved), the pendulum may have stopped swinging because the case is now leaning at a different angle. To fix this you simply have to start the pendulum swinging and balance your clock. Don’t use a level. Continue testing until the swinging sounds more balanced. This requires a good ear and a lot of patience. Balancing the clock itself may require you to do one of several things.

First you may have to actually place something under the clock on either the left or right side to get the pendulum swinging just right. A bracket or shim will probably do the trick for this.

Second, you may have to actually tip the clock itself towards the wall so that it is slightly leaning. You have to be very careful when performing these tricky manoeuvres. You don’t want to tip the clock too far in either direction or back. The clock may fall too far off balance and spill to the floor. Trying to catch one of these falling monsters is not easy so care is needed.

In the next article in this series we’re going to continue with troubleshooting techniques to figure out just what is wrong with the old man, including running too fast or slow, weights not falling, chimes out of sequence and others. By the time we’re done your grandfather clock should be as good as old.

The commitment to old world craftsmanship is one that is not often found. However, the company of Hentschel has guaranteed that the same looks and ability to make this perfection can provide a better look to everything that they do. One of the ways that this is seen is through the Hentschel grandfather clock. This addition into this furniture company has provided more opportunities for better clock making.

The beginning of Hentschel was established in 1890, with it’s main headquarters being located in Canada. The concept was to combine a certain level of artistry with the craftsmanship in order to offer this with more contemporary looks. Through the works of this company that began with the traditional clock, is the continuation of their business today has also allowed for a movement to upgrade the clocks, specifically with combining things such as electrical clocks and more contemporary looks.

There are four classes of Hentschel grandfather clocks that are available. These are divided according to the type of craftsmanship available. The first of these is the artist’s collection. There are five major types in this area, all which combine a specific look to the clock. This includes more ornate figures that are carved at the top and sides of the clock, as well as a moon dial, a large pendulum and sides. These particular clocks have more weights than most other types of clocks because of the size and figure that is used with the clocks.

The second set of clocks for this particular company is the Hentschel collection. These are known as some of the best clocks and gave this company their signature. All three of the models contain pendulums and chimes, but are also designed with a 3D look. This is because of the glass that is on the side as well as on the front of the area where the chimes are at. The Camelot model also contains Curio shelves which are used on the sides in order to enhance the features of the clock.

After this division of clocks are two sets of featured clocks that are more traditional and have been built since the beginning of the Hentschel company. This includes traditional looking clocks, with two main clocks that are used, as well as the Forest Hill Collection, which includes a set of six traditional looking grandfather clocks from the region. All of these contain long cases combined with cabinets or pendulums as well as moon dials on the top, combined with traditional carvings. These will have a more miniature look to some of them, with others being a larger size.

More recently, the Hentschel grandfather clocks have included the 2006 lifestyle series. These have a more contemporary look with glass in casings, little wood except for around the frame, and the same signature pendulums that allow the grandfather clocks to keep their look.

With all of these types of clocks, a different approach is taken towards putting them together. Either you can have a pre-made clock, or you can get kits with all of the parts in order to put the clock together yourself. This is to help with convenience of shipping and to provide an easier way to get the clock to you. Many of these clocks will also have specific necessities to care for the clock, such as cleaning supplies and oil for the clock. If any repairs are needed, the kits can simply be taken back apart and shipped back in order to ensure that they continue to work and that the pendulum keeps moving forward.

The evolution of clocks from the Hentschel grandfather clocks is one that has included a wide variety of concepts, ornamented looks and masterpieces of art for the home. Through the traditional styles, this particular company has learned how to progress as well as keep the heirloom treasures in their company. This allows them to keep a part of the past as well as the ability to keep ticking into the future.

L. T. Dravis asked:




As we’re reminded everyday when we log on and confront pop-ups, when we’re blinded and deafened by advertising everywhere, the business of selling, especially B2B selling, has changed dramatically. Remember the recent economic boom? If you were like most folks in the sales game, you sold products and services like there was no tomorrow.

There was a ton of demand and a corresponding ton of money chasing products, parts, and service. Those were the good old days when all you had to do was just be present every day - in the office or in your territory, it really didn’t matter all that much - and you’d get calls from people who were ready, willing, and able to buy. All you did was generate quotes, collect checks, and look forward to your hero’s welcome every time you strutted into the office with another signed order. Nice, huh? Short term - YES - because you made lots of dough! Long-term - NO - because you ain’t as good today as you could have been!

What happened? Well, there was a tomorrow and it finally came. These days, you don’t have the luxury of earning a living as a professional order taker because the whole buying/selling scene has flip-flopped. Today, more sales companies offer more products, parts and service for less money in declining markets. No doubt about it. For lots of reasons, times are tough. So what? Ups and downs in business are inevitable. Right? Of course. The important question is this: “How can you manage ups and downs so the ups and downs don’t manage you?”

The simple answer is this: Use the following 12 Creative Techniques:

1. Focus your creativity on the single market or market segment with the greatest potential for new business. Research economically sound businesses in your territory to determine where meaningful growth opportunities exist for your company. Let’s say, for example, that you sell computerized control systems. Let’s also say that you’re smart enough to thoroughly research hydraulic pump manufacturers and you discover that these manufacturers typically source electronic controllers from multiple suppliers. Mixed brands and types can mean higher maintenance and repair costs. So what creative door does this scenario open for you? Could you do an in-depth application survey to determine whether it would be profitable for your company to design, prototype, and ultimately produce an application-specific control system for hydraulic pump manufacturers?

2. Focus creativity on selling more best-sellers. Let’s say that you’re knocking the competition on their collective seat pads with a specific product because the bean-counters have decided to offer a special pricing program on certain, perhaps, bare bones products with few or no options. Your selling price is ten percent below any other competitor and since you recently incorporated a brochure in your consistent direct mail program, the phone won’t stop ringing. Instead of running off with another creative idea, hold up for the time being, and continue to promote your bread and butter product. Get testimonials, take photos, and launch a territory-wide ad blitz to inspire every prospective buyer to buy one of these beauties before the opportunity fades away and you move on to the next best-seller.

3. Refine your creative focus on target markets. If you’ve defined a specific target market in your annual Territory Planner, revisit the planner after 3 months to see whether you were right to select that market. Are you selling as much as you projected last year? If not, why not? Revise the territory plan, or redefine target markets, as necessary to create the sales volume you originally envisioned.

4. Take a creative walk around your advertising and promotional playground. Invest some time to determine which mailers and promotions sell the most. Call customers who’ve responded and ask specific questions about what in the mailer or promotion actually motivated them to buy. Then call customers who received the advertising or promotion and didn’t respond and ask why.

5. Get creative about revamping and expanding advertising and promotions. Don’t waste time and money on programs that don’t work; put your creative energy into refining the ones that do work. Brainstorm new ideas. How about a guaranteed buy-back program? Why not create a low-cost lease plan for low-hour applications with mandatory Planned Maintenance on ninety day intervals to protect your company’s investment? Why not consider offering new warranties on selected low hour reconditioned products? These may be good ideas or they might be lousy ideas. That isn’t the point. The point is, your ability to create new opportunities to sell is limited only by your imagination - combined with good business sense

6. Create partnerships with other departments. When was the last time you took your Parts and Service Rep to lunch? How often do you talk with the road service guys in your territory? Does the parts department notify you when one of your customers makes a large purchase? How often do you refer leads to the service department? Probably about as often as the service department refers leads to you. Every field person in your territory multiplies your ability to sell. So, why not create partnerships that benefit you, the other guy, and the company. We can’t think of a good idea not to…can you?

7. Create partnerships with allied suppliers. Talk to allied suppliers about developing partnerships to increase sales. Would you be able to sell more products if accessory suppliers were willing to provide extended warranties?

8. Create relationships with mentors to build your territory and your future. Too often we get bogged down just trying to earn a living instead of building the territory. Develop friendships with people in the business you respect. Hang around with winners whose track records speak for their ability to create something from nothing. Ask for help to manage your time and learn to break free from all the administrative stuff of selling so you can focus on what is required to develop your territory to its full potential.

9. Create quality time with your Sales Coach. Be smart. Take advantage of an incredible resource: a coach who understands you, your business, and your territory. Put your ego aside and admit when you need help. After all, what is important is not whether you are right or wrong…what is important is that you sell more, more profitably, more often.

10. Create time for yourself to reflect on what you do best. Take time every day to decide precisely what you want to accomplish in the next 8 to 10 hours. What do you do best? What don’t you do so well? Where do you need help? If you don’t manage time well, for example, but you’re terrific in front of customers, schedule your days, your weeks, and your months with a program like ACT so you can spend more time in front of people. If you’re a detail person perhaps you should invest more time creating mailers, promotions, and quotations so you make better presentations. Whatever you do during this time, be honest with yourself. After all, you have a lot to gain by consistently using this technique!

11. Create more effective ways to prospect. Take time to define precisely what your company has to offer the market. What are you selling in terms of customer service, price, and product quality? What is unique or special about how your company delivers products and services to customers? What exceptional quality is there about your after sales follow-up? Which prospects in your territory will benefit most from your products and services? After all, not every prospect is your customer. So, create direct pathways to people most likely to buy and don’t waste time and energy trying to track down the folks who won’t.

12. Create better ways to present and close. Your ability to create and make an effective sales presentation is the single most important factor in your success. By way of definition, an effective sales presentation demonstrates to a prospect that buying from you is the best possible choice they can make. You’ll know that you’ve made an effective presentation when your prospect fully understands what you are offering, the benefits of your offering, and the prospect becomes ready to make a buying decision. After nearly three decades in the business, we are constantly amazed at how many sales are lost because Sales Players don’t ask for the order at the end of the presentation. Have you ever made a brilliant presentation and then failed to ask for the order? If not, we hail you…if so, don’t do it again!

EPILOGUE

Creativity can’t survive much less thrive if you’re not willing to take some creative risks. The question that begs to be asked is, “What can I do to ensure that I’m always ready, willing, and able to create new sales opportunities to help myself and my teammates to sell more, more profitably, more often?”

Remember…it’s you, your team, and your Sales Coach against a very tough, very competitive world! Your competitive edge, your ability to sell, your ability to earn a good living, depends on your ability to be creative - to think outside the box!

How else can you sell more, more profitably, more often in the volatile, commodity-driven, price-sensitive markets we face today? What options can you count on to increase sales? How far can you go in trying to outwit the competition on product features? How much more discounting can and should you do to win a sale?

The truth is frighteningly simple: If you can’t answer these questions and if you don’t prepare yourself to lead in your territory with creative, outside-the-box thinking, you’ll have no options.

You’re much too smart to put yourself in a spot like that, aren’t you?

Vera Sang asked:




Installing granite tile counter tops, specifically in the kitchen, is not only a practical alternative to solid granite and other natural stone counter top surfaces, it is also a cost effective choice. An over riding benefit of this type of countertop is granite tiles are less expensive, by up to whopping two thirds, than an actual slab of granite. However, you retain the natural beauty, durability and ease of maintenance of granite.

Granite is granite and tiles offer the same rich and elegant look to any room as a slab does at a fraction of the cost. Best of all granite tiles can be laid out to look just like a solid piece of granite.

Granite is one of the hardest natural materials that we have, this quality makes it ideal for kitchens and even bathrooms. It’s ability to withstand the high traffic and daily abuse a kitchen endures makes this tile countertop choice a sensible one also. For instance, if you remove a hot pot or pan from the stove and set it on a granite tile countertop it has no effect, granite is impervious to heat. It does not burn the surface like Formica or butcher block. Basically granite tile countertops are almost indestructible.

All natural stone including granite is porous, meaning it can absorb liquids that could stain it. To prevent staining and etching a sealant is applied to it when it is processed. Like granite slabs, granite tile counter tops must be resealed once or twice a year to maintain an effective barrier. This is not a big issue however, the process of resealing is a easy one and is necessary to help your countertop retain its unmarred beauty for many years. It has been suggested that car wax can perform this task, really, however you should check with a professional as to what you should apply.

When cleaning your new granite tile countertops use only products that are made for granite. Regular household cleaners can contain chemicals that are harsh and will strip away the seal which leaves it open to stains. Warm soapy water is suggested but be aware that after a while it can leave a thin film that leaves the countertop with a dull appearance. Also be aware of anything containing acids which will cause the seal to become ineffective like citrus fruits and even cosmetics on the counter.

Though you can have it professionally installed if you have ever laid tile you can install a granite tile countertop and save. The steps are basically the same and not too complicated. Just make sure you use the correct adhesive for granite. It is a fairly simple do-it-yourself project if you have any knowledge of laying tiles.

When you are ready to choose the countertops for your kitchen, if you desire lasting beauty, ease of maintenance and durability, granite is a popular counter top choice. But if granite slabs prove a little pricey and do not fit into your kitchen decorating budget consider the installation of granite tile. That’s right, get all of the benefits you desire in granite and discover that granite tile countertops offer more than good looks, they offer savings.

Clocks are suppose to enable us to tell the time. Before the clock a sundial was used. The sundial had one problem in that when the day was cloudy, it was hard to tell the time. The sundial basically relied upon casting a shadow across a circle that had markings which designate the time of the day.

The economic clock is supposed to be a reliable means of telling what investment is the best investment to be in at the current time in the economic cycle. However, what might have seemed to be a reliable means of telling the what the market was doing for the last 200yrs appears to have come unstuck. This is because the clocks predictions were based on a model that virtually only included Europe and and North America, with the additions of Japan, Taiwan, South Africa and Australasia.

Most of the world’s population was largely excluded from wealth and economic growth that affected these first wold economies. The second world economies included the Russian Communist Countries, China and India and Arab countries. The third world was seen as Central and South America, Africa and parts of South Asia.

What the economic clock advocates have failed to take into account is that the second world countries have come on board the global economy and are fast becoming first world countries. What this means is there are 2.5 billion people in India and China who are beginning to participate in the global economy that previously were excluded and also another 1 billion from the Arab and previous European and Russian communist countries.

The new world order is taking place as wealth is being transferred from the Western First World countries to the emerging Second World Countries.

What this means from a financial perspective is the old economic order is on the way out and the new one is evolving. Not to take this into consideration is a mistake when making investment decisions based on the economic clock model. The basic concepts of the economic clock probably are principles that follow one another, except we have seen the share market and real estate both rising together, which is contrary to the economic clock model.

The economic clock goes like this:

1 o’clock — rising interest rates

2 o’clock — falling shares

3 o’clock — falling resources

4 o’clock — falling overseas reserves

5 o’clock — falling employment

6 o’clock — falling real estate prices

7 o’clock — falling interest rates

8 o’clock — rising shares

9 o’clock — rising resources

10 o’clock — rising overseas reserves

11 o’clock — easier money

12 o’clock — rising real estate

In Australia, since the year 2000, there has been continued rising share prices and rising real estate prices and rising resources and rising employment and easier money, which has thrown the clock right out of the window.

Effectively the last six hours of the clock have not responded to the hour glass and the measurement has proven unreliable. Well at least for now, while the emerging countries are making their presence felt in the current global economy.

Just like the old sundial, the one used on the equator would not be reliable at the north pole, due to a changing economic environment the economic clock appears be difficult to understand.

Time waits for no man but the classic beauty of Howard Miller grandfather clocks always show off time in elegant seconds. If you’re thinking of Mother’s Day, weddings and children starting homes of their own, these clocks are the ideal gifts to show how much you care. But choose one that makes the perfect personality fit.

Gifts Too Hard To Beat

Giving one of those Howard Miller grandfather clocks as wedding gifts beats all the pretenders to the throne. Of course, it may be a bit costly than your average clock on the mantel, but these clocks sure packs a wallop as gifts. Nobody, even the self-professed Internet rant, can refuse these clocks. With each tick of the clock, memories are stored and stories are retold from one generation to the next, so who can refuse such a gift of time?

What makes these Howard Miller grandfather clocks special? Underneath that magical antique-looking exterior that captures another time and another place is the perfect fusion of technology and craftsmanship. Artistry, technology, and tradition combined make these clocks perfect gifts for young couples starting out on their own.

When giving a loved one a gift to remember, indulge. The gift of time and tradition will never go out of style. Make the right selection with designs you can fit with a specific personality types:

* Traditional antique-styled clocks

* Clocks with contemporary designs

* Clocks with antique brass designs but with modern exteriors

* Clocks with shelves to display cherished collections

Choosing the Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks

Selecting a grandfather clock can be a dizzying task if you do not organize a shopping system. With so many designs available, you lose track of what matters most - choosing the right clock for your son or daughter, your mom, or for your daughter-in-law.

These clocks require an investment of your time, not to mention the money you will be spending on it, but your efforts will be handsomely rewarded if you just know how to look. Start by matching the clock with the personality of the person who is going to receive it.

Traditional Clocks - Howard Miller grandfather clocks with the traditional antique look are the selections of cherry heartwood casings with the customary brass weights and pendulums. The Adams floor clock from Howard Miller is a classic example of the traditional design. These are perfect for couples or individuals who respect family traditions and would like to start their own.

Contemporary Designs - Instead of the usual wooden casing the design boasts of an aluminum frame supported by a heavy round base and instead of the weights and pendulum, the motion of the clock is controlled by the electromagnetic drive housed in the base. The white dials and black hour and minute hands add to the aluminum appeal of the design. The Tempo floor clock fits the gung-ho personality who dares to experiment.

Antique Brass Look - The distinguishing iron framework of the Mercer Floor clock from Howard Miller adds a touch of romance to the overall look of the dramatic charcoal finish of the face. The exposed pendulum echoes the charcoal finish and is encased by the wrought iron. You can give this type of clock to the adventurous romantic who adores nature and wide open spaces or the outdoors.

Curio Clocks - The enthusiastic collector who loves dainty little things is the perfect match for the curio clock.

All these Howard Miller grandfather clocks have the modern features to maintain the classic function of antique or modern long clocks to adorn contemporary homes. It’s a matter choosing the right one for the right personality for years of pleasure and pride.

The same antique clocks may be called various names by different experts depending on what region of the world they live in, which can get really confusing. For example, what the British call a “bracket clock” is actually identical to what American dealers call “shelf clocks” or “mantle clocks.”

The family of antique clocks can be looked as a collection of specific groups of clocks. You can break it down into several groups, or families. Take beehive clocks, which can either be gothic beehives or ripple beehives. Conversely, the term “drop trunk” clock is actually an umbrella term that comprises schoolhouse clocks, act of parliament clocks, wall regulators, tavern clocks, short drop clocks, octagon clocks, and so on.

Advertising clocks is the collective term for clocks used for promotional purposes that display advertising somewhere on the clock dial or case. The clock might also be used as part of the advertising, as when a clock is incorporated into a larger sign. Most commonly found as wall clocks or shelf clocks; more rarely as Long-case or ‘Grandfather’ clocks. These are great antique wall clocks.

Human beings are fascinated by time, and the passage of time. It is that deep interest that has led to seemingly mundane inventions such as the alarm clock. People’s need to measure time and use time have led to technological advances over 6 millenia.

Invented in the latter part of the thirteenth century, most likely by monks living in central Europe, the earliest mechanical clocks had no pendulums and were situated inside churches. They sounded bells hourly but did not have dials or hands.

In order to make better use of the church bell already in place, these mechanized devices were installed in the church belfry. One hundred years later, dials and hands were added. The clocks from this era were huge, and made from very heavy metal materials forged by local metal smiths. Smaller clocks suitable for homes began appearing around the fifteenth century. Today, these antique clocks are very valuable in the antiques market.