Aside from one of the most critical issues when one is considering which vintage clocks for sale to buy, which is that one must love what they purchase, there are three essential items to consider when you come across that great deal or see a gaggle of beautiful antique clocks. They are 1–The look of the vintage clock for sale. Is it a beauty and unique among all universal standards? 2–Who made the vintage clock, and 3–What is the rarity of the antique clock you are considering purchasing?
THE LOOK OF THE VINTAGE CLOCKS FOR SALE
While looks can often be subjective, there are specific universal standards. Would most people consider it a work of art? Are there similar ones housed in museums or extensive collections by notable collectors? How intricate and detailed is the bronze work? What are the features of the dial? If there is a stone base, is it ordinary marble or some exotic stone such as Malachite, Lapis, or another rare stone? Are there special mechanical features on any vintage clocks for sale that interest you, such as animation of the characters or scenes? The keyword that epitomizes this concept is “uniqueness.” Which of the vintage clocks for sale are truly unique?
An example of a clock in our collection of vintage clocks for sale is one by Lerolle. The case mechanism is modern for the time, as a button opens the front of the case, and the entire front moves out to the side. In addition to this feature, the bronze gilding is two-tone. It possesses a combination of Ormalu Mercury gilding and nickel gilding on its case. This makes for a striking appeal and should bear much consideration when pondering which of the vintage clocks for sale presented to you is the one to buy.
WHO WERE THE MAKERS OF THE VINTAGE CLOCKS FOR SALE?
The makers are an essential aspect to consider when buying vintage clocks for sale. In most cases, it is the “bronzier” or case maker of the clock but can also be the maker of the “works,” also known as the mechanism. I tend to focus on the bronze cases in my business as I rarely dapple in those of wood, preferring the ornate “Rococo” styles.
A quality antique clock can be costly. Therefore, at least partly, one must consider that it is also an investment. The reputation of the maker should be considered. The top makers didn’t get their reputations at a raffle but by creating incredible works of art or unique inventions, such as Berthoud, who invented the Chronograph. When you see names such as Berthoud, Leroy, Dubois, Bourret, or Deniere among any vintage clocks for sale, these are the names who not only had created antique clocks with the greatest of beauty but of the most value, especially if you are considering the investment angle.
WHAT IS THE RARITY OF THE VINTAGE CLOCKS FOR SALE?
You may know many names of antique clock makers, such as Japy Freres and Vincente et Cie. For American clocks; there are Ansonia, Seth Thomas, and Gilbert. While these are all fine clock makers, for rarety, none will top Bourret, Raingo Freres, or Deniere. In addition to the makers’ reputation, the uniqueness of the case, or the fine detail and beauty of the bronze work, there is the “rarety” of the pieces made.
With the famous French clockmakers, the quality of the work had a lot to do with who they were making the particular clock for at the time. If they were making it for the king, you can surmise that it would be a fantastic and finely crafted “palace clock,” but for some minor nobility or tradesmen, not so much. I believe that when “investing” in fine museum-quality vintage clocks for sale, as time goes by, your investment will increase.
Later, American clocks, in particular, were more mass-produced, and the buyer often bought from a catalog. Companies priced their clocks based on their workmanship, materials, and elegance, and the price was higher for clocks made for the wealthy than for the middle or working class.
If you are an eBay or Etsy shopper, you have seen many Ansonia, New Haven, Gilbert, or Seth Thomas clocks there, and in most cases, they are selling in the low hundreds of dollars. Some examples of the less expensive clocks of Ansonia were those of the Royal Bonn line, The Zenith or Marquis Crystal Regulators, the Seth Thomas Empire number 40 Crystal Regulator, or the New Haven Thoreau. Like many Ansonia clocks, the Thoreau could be bought with options or add-ons, such as extra trim.
However, when you seek a better investment and far more uniqueness in purchasing vintage clocks for sale, these same companies also made some fantastic high-end clocks for the upper classes at the time. One of Ansonia’s most well-known high-end clocks is the Apex, a “Crystal Regulator” typified by its larger size than other Crystal Regulators and its massive gilded bronze trim. Many lesser models were made of brass and not bronze.
The “crem de la crem” of Ansonia Crystal Regulators were the three-piece sets of the clock and two matching urns. Two that come to mind are the Emperor and the Earl (see feature image at the top of page). Seth Thomas had a beautiful portico clock called the #50, and New Haven had the Thames Art Nouveau Crystal Regulators. If you are going to buy an American clock, these are the ones you want to aspire to own.
I hope you will consider the information above and that it helps you during your journey through the realm of vintage clocks for sale. It also lets you choose what you love and do so with the knowledge gained here. For more information on vintage clocks for sale, see The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.
