Clock Tips

A grandfather clock may be one of the most satisfying investments you’ll ever make. Such a clock adds a touch of refinement to a home, turning it into a showplace. However, if youve never purchased this kind of time piece before, you may be nervous about the process. Nevertheless, if you keep a few key things in mind, you should be able to find a clock that will suit your needs.

First of all, you need to assess whether you have the space necessary to accommodate a grandfather clock. In a small apartment, such a piece can seem overwhelming. However, in a larger home, it can appear quite stately. You should carefully consider the size and the weight of the clock before actually purchasing it. Also, if you decide to buy a grandfather clock on line, you will definitely need to know how heavy it is, since shipping costs for such a heavy item can be quite expensive.

You may want to initially search for a clock online. That way, you can examine colors and styles without leaving home. You can select from light, medium, and dark wood casings in order to find a look that complements your room décor. You can also comparison-shop in order to find the most cost-effective model. While prices can vary widely from retailer to retailer and from manufacturer to manufacturer, you can find a number of lovely, high-quality grandfather clocks at quite reasonable prices.

When browsing for a clock from a dealer, carefully examine each one for signs of physical damage. If the cabinet has been dented, it is far more likely that the clock will malfunction. Look closely at the weights and see if there is any evidence of scratches or other signs of disrepair. Such damage represents an important warning sign that the clock may not be in mint condition.

Before you make your purchase, be sure to check the warranty. Since a grandfather clock can be difficult to fix, you’ll want a model thats built to last. You don’t want to have to deal with expensive repairs just a few months after purchasing your clock. You’ll also want to buy from a reputable dealer to ensure that you obtain a high-quality piece of merchandise.

Above all, when shopping for a grandfather clock, its important that you take your time and do your research. If you rush your purchase, you might regret it later on particularly if you end up with a model that is in a constant state of disrepair.

About the Author:

Bill Carmel specializes in clocks and clock care

Written By: Bill B. Carmel

Is this what your clock shows?: 6:30 am - Coffee’s brewing. The rich aroma confirms your day has begun. Time to have a cup and get going.

9:40 am - A break in the day. Whether the day is monotonous or frenzied, your coffee break tells you that time is moving forward.

12:30 pm - Lunch time and time to clock out. A work mate joins you at the local lunch spot where you hash over the hassles of the day, talk about your family and discuss your plans for the yearly vacation. Lunch winds down with a cup of joe.

3:00 pm - The afternoon is neither beginning nor ending. A cup of coffee is just what you need to get a boost. Taking a moment to chat with a fellow worker at the coffee pot doesn’t hurt either.

8:00 pm - Meeting up with friends for dinner is is a great way to end the day. Drinks, some appy’s and a good meal along with conversation that lingers over coffee makes for a fine finale.

Does your day go something like this? Is coffee keeping your day on schedule?

HOW MUCH ARE WE DRINKING?

With Americans drinking an estimated 300 million cups of coffee every day, it is no surprise that our day, and our social interactions are often associated with having a cup of coffee.

The trend towards ’specialty’ coffees has only added to our national pastime.

The SCAA (Specialty Coffee Association of America) reports that DAILY specialty coffee consumption rose from 9% of the adult population in 2000 to 16% in 2004. Occasional indulgence is a staggering 56%!

The sales from cafes alone (not including purchased bean sales) was a whopping $8.47 billion in 2003!

Do we stop there? No. We take those beans home to brew as well - and so our cycle goes on.

It brings up the question:

If there was no coffee - would the clock tick? Would the clocks stop? How would we get from one point in the day to another with nothing to measure the time going by?

WHAT ABOUT NON-DRINKERS?

Whether you personally feel that coffee controls your day, it might be valuable for you to take a moment and reflect on how our society is turning coffee into an established routine rather than a simple beverage.

Does this leave non-drinkers out? Has coffee replaced smoking as the social connection? Clearly the hazards are not the same, but the addiction might be. Just to be sure, why not replace the occasional coffee with another drink or even the odd decafe - you’ll be enjoying the social aspects as much as the drink in your hand!

And by the way…stop watching the clock!

About the Author

Sandy Knoll, webmaster of http://www.clockwurks.com is a habitual clock watcher. Be sure to visit http://www.clockwurks.com for a great information resource relating to clocks.

Written By: Sandy Knoll

Known for its harsh winters, its many local artisans, and an abundance of hard woods unique to the area, Triberg in the Black Forest is the prime location for the production of cuckoo clocks. Even today, most of the worlds supply of cuckoo clocks still comes from Germany, mostly from the Black Forest area. There are imitators out there but beware if its not from Germany or Austria it may not be a high quality, hand-carved cuckoo clock.

Today there are over 100 small companies in the area that are licensed to manufacture cuckoo clocks. The business has evolved from a winter months activity to a full time, year round endeavor. In fact, most of the original farms of the area have stopped producing grains and vegetables because the farmers are too busy harvesting the prized Linden wood for the manufacturing of cuckoo clocks. Only a few of these companies are large enough to sell their products overseas, and so only a few names, such as Dold, Schneider, Herr, Jaeger, Hermle and Schwab have achieved international fame as quality cuckoo clock craftsmen. Each of these companies, named after the artist who originally founded them, is known around the world as quality producers of cuckoo clocks.

Now Anton Schneider & Sons, the company founded in 1848 by Anton Schneider is in its sixth generation of Schneiders. The company employs only the most skilled craftsmen working, many of whom have been in with their company for several generations, and some of whom have worked there as long as forty years. The warehouse in Schonach, Germany is not only known for the quality of timekeeping in their cuckoo clocks, but also for the artistic nature of the individual pieces. Schneider cuckoo clocks are prized for their music and dancing figures as well as for larger, more intricate moving scenes. Their production has surpassed more than 300 different mechanical models to date, all of which carry their imprint on the clock dial.

Probably the most famous seller of cuckoo clocks is the German
company River City Cuckoo Clocks. While American distributors sometimes use the name River City, the original company is located in the Black Forest of Germany and serves as a one-stop wholesaler for many different brands of cuckoo clocks, of only the highest quality produced in the area.

About the Author

Cuckoo Clocks Info provides detailed information on Black Forest, antique, and quartz cuckoo clocks, as well as parts, repair, movement, kits, manufacturer reviews, and advice on where to purchase discount clocks. Cuckoo Clocks Info is the sister site of Grandfather Clocks Web.

Written By: Kristy Annely