Grandfather Clocks -More Than Just Timekeepers

Clocks with this caliber just have to have several different names that they are known by. Grandfather clock is probably best known but they are also called a longcase clock, tall-case clock or floor clock. Also, they have different heights and sizes which have given even more ground for different classifications. Most of these clocks average from six to eight feet (1.8-2.4 m) tall, so sometimes you might come across terms like granddaughter clock - smaller than 5 feet (1.5 m), grandmother clock - over 5 feet (1.5 m) and the ones over 6 feet (1.8 m) are grandfathers.

Most of the grandfather clocks fall into two categories: 30-hour clocks and 8 day clocks. Those hours or days marked the time after which the clock has to be wound again. Eight day clocks were normally more expensive ones and were often driven by two weights - one for pendulum and other for striking mechanism. 30-hour clocks on the other hand had one weight for both mechanisms.

Longcase clocks are either cable-driven or chain driven. In first case the weights are suspended by cables and wound with special crank (key) that is inserted into the holes in the clock's face. Chain-driven clocks have weights suspended by chains, which wrap around gears and the other end of the chain is hanging down next to weight. To wind this kind of grandfather clock, you have to pull down the end of the chain until the weight is under the clock's face.

Most clocks nowadays have both hourly and quarter-hourly chime sequences, first ones playing every full hour and second ones after every 15 minutes. There are also several different chimes that one clock can play and in some cases you can choose which one you set it to play, however the most common chime that most modern longcase clocks have is a Westminster Quarters.

There are couple of thing, that you need to take into consideration, when buying a grandfather clock.

Space. They are rather big. First you need to know that the clock you are buying actually fits to the place you want to put it. You need to know how much space do you have for that clock and you need to pay attention to the measurements of the clock you are buying. If you have a small room and you buy a clock that is too big, you're going to have hard time fitting it in and it might look rather weird or feel uncomfortable. After all, these clock have a presence of their own that sets certain requirements.

Another thing you need to consider is the look of the clock and the style of your home - they need to match. Also, don't think just about today and this week - grandfather clock is a big investment and you should look at it in the long term. This clock is a personal thing, it comes to your home. It's somewhat like choosing a partner, so choose a clock that fits you.

The term originates from the song "My Grandfather's Clock" by Henry Clay Work. The song was inspired by two brothers and a clock in George Hotel in Piercebridge, County Durham, England. Brothers called Jenkins worked there as managers. When one of the brothers died the clock started to lose time and all attempts to repair it, failed. When the other brother died at the age of ninety, the clock stopped altogether and was never repaired again. H.C. Work wrote a song about this story in 1876 and the term 'grandfather clock' derives from there.