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Longcase clocks

Grandfather clocks - the most elegant way of measuring time

Grandfather clocks are large clocks that can be up to 3 m high. They are intended for the interior of private households. Since they are stationary on the floor, they are also appropriately called floor grandfather clocks. They work with a weight drive that works via the tensile force of hanging weights, as well as a pendulum as a time standard.

Most standing clocks have a chiming mechanism. This is a gear train mechanism parallel to the gear mechanism. The striking mechanism reproduces an acoustic signal at a certain time interval. Originally, this signal was used to detect periods of time (usually an hour) when the clock was too far away or it was dark. The clock strikes every 5 minutes to 1 hour, depending on the clock, at a specific time or plays a melody. Particularly famous and well-known is the melody Westminster, which traditionally beats every quarter of an hour. It corresponds to the melody of the chiming mechanism of the tower clock of London's Westminster Palace.

Grandfather clocks are popular because of their accuracy and longevity and are therefore often inherited.

These elegant timepieces have been successful to this day, but have been changed and improved over time due to the constant advancements in technology and workmanship. For example, there are classic grandfather clocks made of wood, but also those made of plastic or other materials. This results in many different styles, all of which enjoy great popularity. A good example of a modern yet classic-looking grandfather clock is the grandfather clock from Hermle. But alsoKieninger, Hermle and are world-famous for their grandfather clocks.

A brief history of the grandfather clock

Around 1665, the first grandfather clock was built. In the case of the clocks with pendulums and weights previously mounted on the wall, a wooden box was built around them. Since these clocks, like most pieces of furniture, were also made of wood, the grandfather clock also had a corresponding decorative purpose. From this period onwards, the design of the grandfather clock has developed in parallel with the fashion of furniture.
It was not until 1876 that this type of clock was given its well-known English name, the Grandfather Clock, because of a line from the lyrics of a popular song.
Especially in Germany, grandfather clocks were seen not only as timepieces, but above all as decorative pieces of furniture. The artistic, beautiful and playful aspects of watches became more and more important. Automatons were built into the clocks. These are movable artificial figures that usually had human or animal form. In this case, the pieces or only parts of them move at the stroke distances. In addition, there were the different signals of the percussion. Melodies such as Westminster, St. Michael or Whittington are still very popular classics among watch melodies.

How a pendulum clock works

suspension, rod, lens and regulating device. In 1583, Galileo Galilei was the first to discover that a free-swinging pendulum always takes the same time to oscillate, regardless of the oscillation distance. This property of the pendulum of the simultaneous oscillation duration is also called the pendulum law. It is precisely because of this feature that the pendulum is the ideal regulator of a stationary watch. In 1656, the Dutchman Christiaan Huygens discovered the same law, independent of Galileo's findings. It was also Huygens who made the pendulum law useful for watchmaking. Thus, he revolutionized watchmaking. The pendulum clocks were far superior to the other clocks of the time with their high accuracy. This is an advantage that still contributes to a very high accuracy of less than 0.004 seconds per day in precision pendulum clocks.

Operation and handling of grandfather clocks

The location of a grandfather clock needs to be wisely planned. In addition to a secure stand, it is important to make sure that the watch is not exposed to major temperature fluctuations, such as strong sunlight or draughts. The acoustics of the percussion mechanism can also be influenced by the nature of the room.

The pendulums and weights should be carefully attached according to the instructions. When setting the time, please pay attention to a precise procedure, which you can read here. Avoid touching the hour hand so that it does not get stuck. The moon phases can also be adjusted accordingly. The night switch-off can also be set on or off manually on many watches. Thus, the automatic shutdown of the loft is carried out according to your needs. On some grandfather clocks, the melody can also be changed. However, please do not change it while the melody is still playing.

Fortunately, today's modern grandfather clock requires little care and maintenance. Still, with a few simple care tips, you can maintain the longevity and appearance of your watch. For one, you should wind up your grandfather clock every seven days. Check the fixed status of the watch. This is especially important in the early days. Also, check the weights and ropes (if any) from time to time. On the other hand, it is recommended to have the watch oiled by a professional every five years and thoroughly cleaned every ten years.

You can find detailed instructions on how to use grandfather clocks in our blog.

Our grandfather clock service

In addition to the floor grandfather clocks in a wide range of variants, we also offer the option of custom-made products. For example, with the brand Meisterstück grandfather clocks, we can respond individually to your wishes. You are free to choose both type of wood and colour. We would also be happy to deliver the grandfather clock to you personally. We also offer a grandfather clock assembly service, i.e. we set up the grandfather clock of your choice and explain all the functions to you at your leisure. We are grandfather clock experts and look forward to receiving your order. If you have any questions about grandfather clocks, we will be happy to advise you.

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