Carriage Clocks Past and Present
Carriage clocks have a unique and classy style.
An old horse drawn clock can be considered very collectible.
They were originally conceived so people had a means of telling the time whilst travelling in the 1800's as wristwatches were not invented until the 20th Century.
They are easily identifiable as they have a distinctive style and shape.
In the 1800's people travelled around in carriages and as clocks technically evolved it became possible to build a medium sized one which people could carry around, hence the name carriage clock.
Before that clocks were very large and were basically either grandfather or large wall clocks such as Town Hall or Railway Station time-pieces.
The carriage clock of today is smaller and more compact but in the 1800's they were still quite large by today standards.
They were rectangle in shape and built to withstand the rugged travel in a carriage on uneven roads when horse drawn carriages were the only means of transport.
The carriage clock casements were solid to protect the mechanism.
Carriage clocks have a standard shape which makes them instantly recognizable.
The case is usually made from metal or polished brass.
The face often has a glass frontage with the background of the face being made from porcelain.
Modern clocks tend not to have the porcelain face unless you purchase an expensive one, and then it would probably be decorated with an intricate design.
The more decoration on the face usually signifies the superior quality of the timepiece.
Another Identifiable part of a horse-drawn clock is the handle which made it much easier to carry around from a carriage to a place of rest.
As the carriage clock became more advanced it would have incorporated a bell or chime on the hour.
Similar designs on other types of time-pieces were also afforded to carriage clocks such as scrolls on the corner of the frame and inlay gemstones.
Modern carriage clocks tend to have mass produced quartz movements but back in the 1800's movements would have been spring driven mechanical mechanisms.
Today clocks are based on the original clock design, but they tend not to have the intricate mechanical movement, ornate design or the decorative detail of their predecessors.
This does have advantages as modern clocks are much more affordable.
Carriage clocks are still very much in demand today and are often given as wedding presents, anniversaries or retirement gifts.
You can buy a clock from as little as £10 today.
The lower price clocks tend to be replicas however you can still buy authentic carriage clocks.
Authentic clocks have glass back doors which allow you to wind the clock up and see the mechanism and all the internal workings of the clock.
Some high priced clocks will have gemstones set in the clock, with gold and silver incorporated in the clock.
As we began not to ride around in carriages, and cars and modern homes took over, you are now more likely to see these types of clocks on mantel pieces.
The more complicated clocks will play tunes using a hammer which strikes a bell every hour.
If you have one of these clocks with inset precious stones, enameled porcelain glass face and decorative scrolls, then it's a collector's item.
As with any clock its worth having it serviced every year to keep it in full working order, and to maintain an accurate time.
This will also help to maintain it's on sale value.
An old horse drawn clock can be considered very collectible.
They were originally conceived so people had a means of telling the time whilst travelling in the 1800's as wristwatches were not invented until the 20th Century.
They are easily identifiable as they have a distinctive style and shape.
In the 1800's people travelled around in carriages and as clocks technically evolved it became possible to build a medium sized one which people could carry around, hence the name carriage clock.
Before that clocks were very large and were basically either grandfather or large wall clocks such as Town Hall or Railway Station time-pieces.
The carriage clock of today is smaller and more compact but in the 1800's they were still quite large by today standards.
They were rectangle in shape and built to withstand the rugged travel in a carriage on uneven roads when horse drawn carriages were the only means of transport.
The carriage clock casements were solid to protect the mechanism.
Carriage clocks have a standard shape which makes them instantly recognizable.
The case is usually made from metal or polished brass.
The face often has a glass frontage with the background of the face being made from porcelain.
Modern clocks tend not to have the porcelain face unless you purchase an expensive one, and then it would probably be decorated with an intricate design.
The more decoration on the face usually signifies the superior quality of the timepiece.
Another Identifiable part of a horse-drawn clock is the handle which made it much easier to carry around from a carriage to a place of rest.
As the carriage clock became more advanced it would have incorporated a bell or chime on the hour.
Similar designs on other types of time-pieces were also afforded to carriage clocks such as scrolls on the corner of the frame and inlay gemstones.
Modern carriage clocks tend to have mass produced quartz movements but back in the 1800's movements would have been spring driven mechanical mechanisms.
Today clocks are based on the original clock design, but they tend not to have the intricate mechanical movement, ornate design or the decorative detail of their predecessors.
This does have advantages as modern clocks are much more affordable.
Carriage clocks are still very much in demand today and are often given as wedding presents, anniversaries or retirement gifts.
You can buy a clock from as little as £10 today.
The lower price clocks tend to be replicas however you can still buy authentic carriage clocks.
Authentic clocks have glass back doors which allow you to wind the clock up and see the mechanism and all the internal workings of the clock.
Some high priced clocks will have gemstones set in the clock, with gold and silver incorporated in the clock.
As we began not to ride around in carriages, and cars and modern homes took over, you are now more likely to see these types of clocks on mantel pieces.
The more complicated clocks will play tunes using a hammer which strikes a bell every hour.
If you have one of these clocks with inset precious stones, enameled porcelain glass face and decorative scrolls, then it's a collector's item.
As with any clock its worth having it serviced every year to keep it in full working order, and to maintain an accurate time.
This will also help to maintain it's on sale value.
