Grandfather Clocks FAQ

What Is a Grandfather Clock?
A grandfather clock is a floor clock that is operated by the movement of a swinging pendulum and suspended weights enclosed in a tall cabinet.

How Do Grandfather Clocks Work?
The pendulum swings back and forth by the force of gravity allowing the weights to drop at given paces. The functions of the clock are then driven by the movement of the weights. The weights are either suspended by chains or cables and need to be adjusted periodically to keep proper time. Grandfather clocks are very accurate and can keep time to within one minute per month.

Are Grandfather Clocks Hard to Set Up?
Actually they are much easier to set up than you might think. This is because you are doing just that, setting it up and not building it. All that is required is a little time and some basic tools. Most grandfather clocks even come with an instructional video showing how to set it up and take proper care of it.

How Will My Grandfather Clock Arrive to Me?
We provide peace of mind with a White Glove delivery service that will deliver your new clock into your home or office and not just outside the front door.

How Do You Wind Them?
Pulling on the chain or using the winding crank lifts the weights up. This should be done once a week.

How Do You Take Care of Them?
You should have it professionally cleaned and oiled every two to three years. Also, periodic dusting and general cleaning will keep your grandfather clock in great shape.

Can Grandfather Clocks Be Turned Off at Anytime?
Yes, most grandfather clocks have a night shut-off lever which allows you to disable the sounds and movements at anytime, while still keeping the correct time.

What Is the Difference Between Cable-Driven and Chain-Driven?
The cable-driven grandfather clock is wound by inserting a key or crank to set the weights, whereas the chain-driven grandfather clock is wound by pulling the chains until the weights are in the correct position.

What is a Pendulum?
A disc-shaped body (bob) suspended by cables from a fixed support that swings freely back and forth under the influence of gravity, which operates the clock and assures accurate time.

What Is a Bob?
The bob is the polished round disk at the lower end of a pendulum.

What Is the Crown?
The crown is generally referred to as being the top portion of the grandfather clock. The most common crown styles are the split pediment and the bonnet, which has a full arched facade. Other common styles are arched, flat top and federal crowns.

What Is a Finial?
Decorative ornament, usually in wood or brass, placed on top of the clock cabinet. Used most frequently in between split pediment crowns on grandfather clocks.

What Are the Access Doors?
The access doors are hinged doors or panel inserts on the upper sides of clocks, which allow access to the movement.

Where Do the Different Chimes Come From?
St. Michael Chimes - The melody of the chimes in St. Michael's Church in Galveston, South Carolina.
Westminster Chimes - The melody of the chimes in the Clock Tower at the House of Parliament in London.
Whittington Chimes - The melody of the chimes of St. Mary Le Bow Church in London.
Winchester Chimes - The melody of the chimes in the cathedral in Hampshire, England.

What Is a Moon Dial?
A dial usually found at the top of the clock face which tracks the moon's phases through the 29-1/2 days of the lunar month. As the rotating moon dial passes behind the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, the phases of the moon are represented as they appear at each stage of the cycle: new moon, waning crescent, half moon, etc.

What Do the Weights Do?
The weights provide the motive force which drives the clock mechanism in grandfather clocks. They usually have a weighted insert with a brass shell.

Diagram of a typical Grandfather Clock

Floor Clocks

What Is the Difference Between a Floor Clock and a Grandfather Clock?
A floor clock is any clock that stands upright on the floor and is not enclosed in a tall wooden cabinet. It may have a pendulum but generally does not have mechanical movements with weights and chains.

What Are Some of the Different Styles of Floor Clocks?
Floor clocks come in many different styles and shapes. The two main categories of floor clocks are traditional and contemporary. You can also find floor clocks in country casual as well as transitional or antiqued. Like all clocks you can find a floor clock that matches your lifestyle.

What is a Curio Grandfather Clock?
A curio grandfather clock is a floor clock with an oversized glass and wooden case. Inside the case are several shelves for displaying different keepsakes and picture frames.

What is Quartz movement?
Electronic impulses pass from a battery through a quartz crystal powering the movement of the clock at regular intervals.

What Is the Night Shut-Off Feature?
Most clocks have a night shut-off feature that allows you to disable any sounds and movements at anytime, especially while you are trying to sleep.

How Will My Floor Clock Arrive to Me?
We provide peace of mind with a White Glove delivery service that will deliver your new clock into your home or office and not just outside the front door.

Are Floor Clocks Hard to Set Up?
Actually they are much easier to set up than you might think. This is because you are doing just that, setting it up and not building it. All that is required is a little time and some basic tools. Most grandfather clocks even come with an instructional video showing how to set it up and take proper care of it.