The movement is the most important thing. Haven't been shopping for one in many years, but Keineger(sp) was one of the makes I remember. There are options, some worth considering. For example, some will silence the strike overnight. Others have choices for several different chimes. Many have moon dials. The more options, the more complicated the movement, the higher the cost.

Case is second consideration. It is what you see and the size and wood affect the sound quality. But, an expensive case and substandard movement would be, in my opinion, a mismatch.

I would recommend that you visit a quality furniture store or a specialty clock shop and speak with a knowledgeable salesperson. A clock is not an impulse purchase and a good merchant will spend necessary time with you. Hope this helps.

After spending about 6 months looking, we bought a Howard Miller 8 years ago. We love our clock! I think it has the movement mentioned above.

As for care, just wind it carefully...and we were told to never put our bare hands on the brass-finish parts. The guys that delivered and setup wore white cotton gloves.
Susan ~

Here is a link that might be useful: Howard Miller

If you want a grandfather clock and are willing to pay the price, antiques are the best. They do require quite a bit of maintenance, however, and often parts are difficult to locate. If, on the other hand, you will settle for a Howard Miller, their parts are easily replaceable and work on a different mechanism than the antique clocks, are very lovely and quite reasonably priced. I have both and I don't have any "druther's" as to which I like better, but know the difference and know that my antique is valuable to me because of its heritage, but so is the Howard Miller, which works efficiently.

About the white gloves, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER do anything to your clock without clean white gloves. Body oils and acids can ruin the working parts of a good clock. Don't place it on unstable surfaces, such as carpet and don't try to move it without "moving men" or something that keeps it level and do by all means, have it serviced at least every 2 years.

If you are spending serious money, please enlist the services of a good clock man. They are a dying trade but an endless source of information on all kinds of clocks and they love talking about the clocks, so you are getting all kinds of information free of charge.

Good luck in your decision.

I completely agree with patricia that antiques clocks offer something special - I think it's a character and presence not generally found in modern clocks. But I grew up with antique clocks (my father was a collector) and now my brother is one of those "clock men" lobmomma referred to, so you know I have a bias.

I don't know where you're located and don't want to break any rules of the board so will not give you a link but if you'd like to email me, I can put you in touch with him. He sells quality new and antiques and does ship all over the world. At the very least he could give you some general pointers on what to look for in your location, if you'd like.

Deb

My vote would be for an antique clock also, especially if you have other antiques. I looked for several years before I found my antique clock...and it was on sale since the dealer was closing his booth! Ours dings on the half hour and hour and does not bother us. Heck, sometimes I don't even realize it's chimed.

My parents have a new (30+ yr old) grandfather clock they have to keep turned off since it chimes every 15 minutes, getting longer each time. Is very loud and wakes them up.

Patricia, did you ever try calling my clock man? I need to have him out myself.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{!gwi}}

We have 2 grandfather clocks.

Keep in mind that they tick. Loud enough to hear it. (we are used to it, visitors to our house often comment about the clock sounds).

Antique clocks are great, but, I like the 'newer' clocks because you can turn off the chimes at night and during nap times.

SHOP AROUND!! I mean this with all sincerety. Once I saw the clock I wanted I shopped every Furniture store that carried it, you would be amazed at the differences in prices, (eg.) the nicer the furniture store the higher the price, I ended up going in this little rinky dink place and got my Howard Miller clock for 1,300 bucks!!! Some of the other stores charged between 3 and 4 times that much, I Paid 20 bucks for delivery AND set up, They put the pendulums on and make sure its level, Mine has a night time chime shut off
I LOVE My clock

Allison, my clock man called before I got the chance. He had been to China. I guess you know what he was doing, trying to teach them to make quality clocks of quality products instead of the junk they are sending here. He came by and tuned everything up. Thank you so much, Allison. I saved the name in case I might need it in the future.

maggie3: I love your clock, too. That's the style of clock I have wanted for years. Maybe someday!

Thanks all! I'm interested in a Howard Miller clock. There is a Chicago Clock store that only specializes in clocks and also services them, so I'm pretty comfortable that they'll do a good job. This is the clock I'd really like:

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

This floor clock offers bookmatched olive ash burl on the pediment with a shell overlay at the center and two embossed rosettes at the top. An astrological, blue moon phase accents the polished brass dial which offers antiqued, brass corner spandrels, center disc, and moon arch. Crystal-cut, grooved glass accents the sculptured lower door along with an egg-and-dart molding. An illuminated case and glass mirrored back highlight the decorative weight shells and lyre pendulum. Cable-driven, triple chime Kieninger movement with chime silence option. Finished in Windsor Cherry on select hardwoods and veneers. Locking door for added security. Adjustable levelers under each corner provide stability on uneven and carpeted floors. You will receive a free heirloom plate, engraved with name and date, by returning the enclosed request card to Howard Miller. Cabinet is illuminated by an interior light. H. 86" (218 cm) W. 23" (58 cm) D. 14" (36 cm)

$2500

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.chicagoclock.com/index.php

Chicago Clock has a great reputation, Marie, so I am sure you are making a safe choice as far as a retailer. I am by the Clarendon HIlls store every few weeks when we meet my mom for dinner, and I have always wanted to go in.

I know nothing about clocks, but when I was working at the great indoors we sold Howard Miller clocks, and they seemed very nicely made. You could check at the great indoors store in Schaumburg but I kind of doubt they are carrying that clock (if they still carry Howard Miller at all) because it is a bit more elaborate in style than they normally carried.

Where will your new clock go in your home?

Either the dining room or the family room wall closest to the kitchen.

Our tall case clock is a real "grandfather" clock; it was made by the helpmeet's grandfather, a cabinet maker, in the mid-late '20s. He made a tall clock for each of his children, each as the signature 1/2 round "bonnet" that instantly identifies the clock as German.

Our's had been passed from grandfather to grandson (my BIL) and then was passed to us because BIL's aesthetic was not "traditional" and the ceilings in his home are lower than are our's. It had not been cleaned in YEARS, and while it kept respectable time, the chimes no longer worked. After 16 years of faithful service in OUR home I finally called the local clock guy (who ministers to the historic clocks in many of my state's historic buildings). He removed the works, took them to his shop where he cleaned and greased the parts, removing the better part of 50-60 yrs. of accumulated grit and grime. The chimes now work; and they're LOUD.

I echo the advice to ask a clock guy where to buy a tall case clock! They know where you should shop, and they'll be able to steer you in the direction that is most likely to fulfill your desire within your budget.

Tall clocks are beautiful, graceful, FUNCTIONAL additions to a room. I love the rhythmic "tick-tock" of our clock, and I'm accustomed to the chiming now, too.

We've got a Howard Miller & love it. It has 3 different chime settings, a silent setting & a night-off setting. Most important things we were told were 1)never to over-wind & 2) if it stops because it needs rewinding to move the clock hands backwards (if you move them forwards you have to let it chime at each of the usual intervals, a drawn-out process that you can't hurry). Like chelone I love the rhythmic tick.

A mirrored interior makes it look bigger. They just add character & charm to a room.