Grandfather clocks are a very elegant way to show people how much you love them. They add a sense of elegance and class that is rather hard to find anywhere else.
Grandfather clocks initially started off as something known as pendulum clock. They look nearly identical to what we now consider grandfather clocks, however they were much smaller. These grandfather clocks were first developed around the mid 1600s and were only owned by nobility such as kings and queens of Europe. This was because of the cost of manufacture. Back in the early 1600s, if one could afford one of the finer models, it would run approximately 1 year’s worth of the average salary. The first of these clocks was designed by none other than Galileo Galilei in 1637 and he is considered the great grandfather of all modern clocks.
When he first conceived the design of grandfather clocks , they were very basic with no functions other than to keep time. The gears were exposed which led to a high instance of breakdowns and other problems. Just a small incident where something was introduced to the gears could cause damage that would take months to repair. This was because all of the gears of a clock were handmade.
Over time, Grandfather Clocks became much more elaborate for these clocks. Cuckoo clocks, that are clocks that make a very audible sound also evolved out of this. Grandfather clocks became more prominent in the 1800s as eventually clocks became near person-sized. This was due to utility as well as elegance. By making a clock so large, you could prevent the need to manually time them on a regular basis. In fact many old clocks could go as far as 3 to 5 years without winding. This was valuable as many people were required to re-set the time on a grandfather clock. Just like piano tuners, there were people in the business of timing and resetting clocks.
Typical grandfather clocks are six to eight feet tall with most being right around 6 and half feet. Care does need to be taken when purchasing a clock. You will want to make sure that it fits correctly in your home. Many people often buy clocks that are too large for a room and end up having to reship them to the company who sold it for a exchange.
The term grandfather clocks has become a typical term for such a clock in 1876 with the song “My grandfather’s clock” in which one of these long case clocks is mentioned in several verses. Adding to this term is the fact that grandfather clocks are typically passed down from generation to generation over the course of several years. This also becomes a investment that will pay out over many years as clocks often become very collectable.
Unlike clocks of the Cuckoo variety, grandfather clocks
typically do not have elaborate ringtones when the hour is reached. Instead they have very boisterous musical tones that can be heard through the whole house. Many new types of grandfather clocks use a digital interface or analog that enables the owner to turn off the ringing at their choice. This helps when company is over or during a night time phase.
Finding good grandfather clocks can be difficult, however if you abide by a few of these tips you’re sure to have great luck at finding quality grandfather clocks at a price you can afford. 
- Measure your doorways and rooms as well as whatever style of grandfather clock prior to purchase. This can’t be overstated enough. You must insure that the clock has a good place to stay while you own it. Most grandfather clocks have quality glass that allows a user to view the pendulums swinging freely. Damage to these parts are expensive so you will want to allow at least four feet between the clock and things like chairs.
- Research the kind of ring tones the clocks make. You may want to consider one that can turn the ring off. Nothing is worse than investing in premium grandfather clocks and finding out that you dislike the ring tone. Many clocks now have online tones that you can listen to free of charge before you make a decision.
- Do research on the manufacturer prior to purchase. Unfortunately there are now cheap Chinese knockoff grandfather clocks entering the market that has traditionally been held by companies with long standing reputations. This is why we prefer you shop here at our website. We keep the best possible clocks here for you.
By keeping these things in mind, you’re sure to find the best clock, and be happy with your investment for years to come. Imagine the joy of people 50 or even 100 years from now knowing that you made a sound choice when you purchased your grandfather clocks.
