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Notable Brands of Grandfather Clocks
When it comes to brands of grandfather clocks, Howard Miller is usually top-of-mind for its prestige and craftsmanship. This legacy brand dominates the market with its long history of producing a wide range of premium quality clocks that are a collector’s dream. The brand has mastered the art of creating clocks on a large scale through its manufacturing process that blends tradition and technology. Howard Miller clocks are highly coveted and can command as high as $50,000 for top-of-the-line clocks that are considered investment pieces.
However, there are also alternative brands that may be lesser known but also deliver top-tier workmanship and reliable precision. These brands are accessible to a wide range of markets that crave for a proper grandfather clock that suit their style, budget, and objective.
Status Symbols That Transcend Trends
Grandfather clocks have been popular throughout the centuries not only for their time-telling function but as status symbols.
Here are some of the lesser-known brands.
Ridgeway
Ridgeway is one of the oldest grandfather clock makers in the United States, dating back to the 1920s. While it was acquired by Howard Miller in the 1980s, Ridgeway continues to be a distinct brand known for its traditional and classic designs.
Detailed, bespoke, and with heirloom nameplates and melodic chimes, Ridgeway may not be as big a name as its mother company, but it has always been a heritage brand that Americans are proud of. Its staying power is attributed to its focus on classic designs that have stood the test of time.
Kieninger
Since 1912, this German brand has been creating clock masterpieces that combine creativity, technology and the art of precision. The brand’s high-precision in-house movement is a testament to its philosophy of exclusive design and avante-garde mechanics.
Today, Kieninger offers various design models for its grandfather clocks, along with wall clocks and table clocks. It offers grandfather clocks with traditional and vintage designs to sleek, modern styles to cater to various aesthetic preferences.
Hermle
Another German brand, Hermle, has over 90 years of German clock-making tradition, making it one of the forces in clock craftsmanship. This brand is relatively well-known, especially among connoisseurs and enthusiasts.
Founded by Franz Herml, Hermle is known for its precision excellence in clockwork mechanisms made by hand without the aid of machines. The company has maintained a traditional approach and manufactures every component of its clocks in-house in a facility in the Swabian Alps. It’s Tellurium, or small planetarium with signs of the zodiac, the sun, the earth, the moon, and a bell striker mechanism is the most precise and unique clock mechanism it has created. It reflects the Grand Complication – the pinnacle of horology.
Hentschel
Based in Ontario, Canada, this clock manufacturer started operating in 1890. It uses locally harvested wood like cherry and ash and each piece is master-crafted in a true-to-tradition way.
Aside from classic design clocks, Hentschel also offers art deco and contemporary designs to cater to a spectrum of styles and preferences. It uses movements created by Hermle, and take pride in carving intricately designed timepieces by hand.
Choosing the Right Grandfather Clock for You
With so many brands of grandfather clocks in the market, you may find it challenging to find the right fit for you. We recommend looking beyond brands and focusing on the who more than the what. At Old Time Chimes, we offer highly customizable grandfather clocks and other clock types.
We also work directly with Amish clock artisans, so the craftsmanship of each piece is guaranteed. The Amish are widely recognized for their handcrafting skills, traditional designs, tools, and methods, and you are assured of getting only the finest grandfather clocks with premium wood material, movement precision, and timeless elegance with every piece.
Find the perfect Amish-crafted grandfather clock for your space.