If you're looking to invest in genuine antique clocks it is important that you have some guidance when considering your purchase. To ensure you get the best quality antique clock at the proper price, it will be helpful to take the following into consideration:
1) How much do you want to spend on an antique clock? Do not think you can go to an auction and pick up a bargain. Auctions have many conditions of sale listed in the back of their catalogues that make it buyer beware. Consult quality text books to give you some ideas of what you may have to pay and then visit a few quality clock dealers. Knowing the basics of what to look out for is also very important.
2) It is important that the antique clock dealer you visit will give you a money back guarantee that the antique clocks he sells are genuine and only sympathetically restored.
3) Is the clock's mechanism in good working order? Antique clocks need to work, buying a clock from an auction with little guarantee's to its originality and condition, can be very risky. My advice is to buy from somewhere that is long established and is a proper clock shop. It is important to know the clock comes with a proper guarantee and can be fixed by proper horologists if it ever goes wrong.
4) Does the antique clock have any extra features or important provenance, it may well be signed by a well-known manufacturer or clock maker? Antique clocks are worth more with these marks but beware of forgeries, so ensure you get a written guarantee from the dealer. It is easy to change a name, beware if the first thing the dealer will do is to tell you loads about the maker. A quality maker normally means a quality cabinet and movement.
5) Do not think you can find the clock of your dreams overnight. Rushing to buy will often result in you paying over the odds for your antique clock or making a decsion you may regret in the long run. A clock well bought is for life generally and will be with you in your family for many generations. Take you time on your choice.
Pendulum of Mayfair have lots of knowledge to draw upon and we are happy to answer any of your queries when you are thinking of buying an antique clock. Our antique clocks are exported to all four sides of the world. 85 % of sales are to the USA.
Daniel R Clements