Determining the Value of Antique Clocks

Many people have antique clocks and they have no idea how much they are really worth.  Some people have clocks they think are valuable when they really are not.  There are four primary factors that need to be considered when you want to determine the value of an antique clock.  These four factors include the condition, originality, rarity, and provenance.

The condition of a clock is one of the most important factors to determine the value.  Does the clock still work?  A clock still can have value if it doesn’t work and it may be in a condition that it can be in working condition.  A clock must be restored and regulated accurately.  If it is capable of being regulated and restored then it is worth more.  A clock may be considered just a decorative piece or it may be functional.  The condition of the clock makes a big difference in the value and if it is in working condition then it will be worth more money.

If a clock is in its original condition then this will determine the value also.  It will be worth more money in its original condition.  Alterations and changes can bring down the value of an older clock.  The casing of the clock, the finish, and the materials should all be the original parts.
How rare is the clock?  Another factor that will determine the value of an old clock is if you know how rare the clock is.  If there were only a handful made of the type of clock you have then it will be worth quite a bit of money.  If there were thousands of the clocks made and they are everywhere and easy to acquire then the value won’t be much.  It is important to know how rare the clock is to have a definite answer on the value of the clock.

The provenance of a clock is also important in determining the value.  Provenance is the documentation of the original ownership.  These records will authenticate the clock and the history of the ownership.  These papers can make a big difference with the value of a clock and if you have the documentation of the original ownership and all of the hands the clock has passed through then your clock can be worth significant value.

If you are a collector and you want to purchase an antique clock then you should consider these four factors prior to purchasing.  The clock may not be worth half the value you are told if the condition is bad and if it has been restored with parts that don’t belong to it.  If the clock is in its original condition and it works then you might have a valuable clock on your hands.  You should also consider if the clock comes with the original paperwork stating the authenticity.  If you think the clock is a rare clock then you can look it up on the Internet also.  It is usually recommended that before you spend a lot of money on an antique clock to have a professional you can trust appraise the value of the clock for you.



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  • My Grandfather's Clock
    Henry Clay Work (1876)

    My Grandfather's Clock
    Was too tall for the shelf,
    So it stood ninety years on the floor.
    It was taller by half
    Than the Old Man himself
    Though it weighed not a pennyweight more.

    It was bought on the morn
    That the Old Man was born.
    It was always it treasure and pride.
    But it stopped short, never to go again,
    When the Old Man died!

    Ninety years without slumbering,
    Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock!
    His life seconds numbering,
    Tick! Tock! Tick! Tock!
    But it stopped short,
    Never to go again,
    When the Old Man died!