Clock Design
7 min read
Roman Numeral Clock: Why IIII, How to Read It and How to Style It
The story behind Roman numeral dials, the IIII puzzle, readability tips and how to use a Roman numeral clock in your decor.
The Canadian Clock Blog
Grandfather Clocks, Wall Clocks and Everything That Ticks
Honest buying guides, care advice and a little horological history for Canadian clock lovers. Whether you are choosing your first floor clock or restoring a family heirloom, start here.
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Mantel and Table Clocks
7 min read
Table Clock Guide: Desk, Bedside and Carriage Clocks Worth Owning
Desk, bedside and carriage clocks explained, with tips on silent movements, materials, alarms and choosing a table clock as a gift.
Mantel and Table Clocks
7 min read
Mantel Clock Guide: Styles, Chimes, Placement and Care
From the tambour 'Napoleon hat' to Art Deco designs, here is how to choose, place and look after a mantel clock.
Wall Clocks
8 min read
Pendulum Wall Clock Guide: How It Keeps Time and How to Set It Up
Learn how a pendulum regulates time, how to put a wall clock in beat, adjust its rate and spot a decorative quartz pendulum.
Grandfather Clocks
6 min read
Howard Miller Grandfather Clock: What to Know Before You Buy
A practical look at Howard Miller floor clocks: where the brand comes from, how to judge a new or used one, and how to keep it running in a Canadian home.
Wall Clocks
6 min read
Unique Wall Clocks Canada: Statement Designs Worth Hanging
Skeleton movements, wooden gears, artisan pieces, ship's clocks and upcycled designs: a guide to statement wall clocks and how to pick one for a Canadian home.
Grandfather Clocks
7 min read
Antique Grandfather Clock: How to Identify, Date and Value One
A practical guide to recognizing, dating and judging an antique longcase clock, plus what to check before you buy and how to move it safely.
Find Your Kind of Clock
Every style of clock has its own character, mechanism and ideal spot in the home. Pick a type to dive into our in-depth guides.
Grandfather Clocks
Tall-case floor clocks with pendulums, weights and Westminster chimes. Buying, sizing, antiques and heirloom care.
Read the guide →Wall Clocks
From oversized statement pieces to pendulum regulators, how to choose, size and hang a wall clock in a Canadian home.
Read the guide →Cuckoo Clocks
The Black Forest classic explained: how the bird and bellows work, chalet vs carved styles, and buying genuine.
Read the guide →Mantel & Table Clocks
Chiming mantel clocks, carriage clocks and desk clocks: compact timekeepers that make memorable gifts.
Read the guide →Welcome to Grandfatherclock
Grandfatherclock is an independent blog for people who love clocks, written with Canadian homes in mind. We cover the whole family of domestic timekeepers: the stately grandfather clock standing in a front hall, the cheerful cuckoo clock calling out the hour in a kitchen, the pendulum wall clock ticking in a study and the compact mantel clock chiming above a fireplace.
Our guides focus on practical questions: how a movement works, what to look for before you buy, how to size a clock for your room, how to keep a wooden case happy through a dry prairie winter, and when to call a clockmaker. We also dig into the stories behind the designs, from the origins of the Roman numeral clock dial to the craftsmanship of the Black Forest.
What You Will Find Here
- Buying guides for grandfather clocks, wall clocks, cuckoo clocks, mantel clocks and table clocks
- Care and maintenance advice for winding, levelling, setting a clock in beat and moving it safely
- Antiques and collecting tips for identifying, dating and valuing older clocks
- Decor ideas for choosing large wall clocks and unique wall clocks that suit your space
We do not sell clocks, and we write our articles to be useful first. Browse the latest articles or pick a topic above to get started.
More Clock Guides
- Wall Clocks Large Wall Clocks: Sizing, Styles and Safe Mounting Guide
- Cuckoo Clocks Cuckoo Clock Canada Buyer's Guide: Genuine Black Forest Tips
- Cuckoo Clocks Cuckoo Clock Guide: How They Work, Styles and Care at Home
- Wall Clocks Wall Clocks Canada: A Practical Buying Guide for Every Room
- Grandfather Clocks Grandfather Wall Clock: Big Clock Character for Smaller Spaces
- Grandfather Clocks The Complete Grandfather Clock Buyer's Guide for Canadian Homes
Clock Questions We Hear Often
What is the difference between a grandfather clock and a longcase clock?
They are the same thing. Longcase clock is the traditional British term for a tall, free-standing, weight-driven pendulum clock, while grandfather clock became the popular name after Henry Clay Work's 1876 song My Grandfather's Clock.
Are mechanical clocks a good choice for Canadian homes?
Yes, with a little care. Dry winter air from forced-air heating can affect wooden cases, so keep clocks away from heat vents and aim for stable indoor humidity. A well-placed mechanical clock can run reliably for generations.
How often does a mechanical clock need servicing?
As a general rule, a mechanical movement benefits from cleaning and oiling by a qualified clockmaker every several years, depending on the movement and its environment. Running a clock with old, dried oil speeds up wear on pivots and bushings.
Quartz or mechanical: which wall clock should I buy?
Quartz clocks are accurate, inexpensive and nearly maintenance-free apart from a battery. Mechanical clocks offer the tick, chime and craftsmanship many people love, but they need winding and periodic servicing. Choose based on how much ritual and character you want.