There is something timeless about enjoying the company of your friends and loved ones in the rooms of your home.  In times gone by, this would have taken place in a parlor or sitting room beneath the omniscient watch of your wood wall clock.  You may have even had the men in one room and the women in another.  There was just a different connection and bond that was made and those things still take place today.  However, now it is a television set and a sporting event that keeps the men and women separated.

Did Those Old Wall Clocks Miss Something?

Seems to be just the opposite.  It seems we may have lost something in our digital age.  Now, that old wall clock is replaced by a highly accurate and synchronized atomic clock that is accurate to many fractions of a second each year or something crazy like that.  Is something that we really need to be that on time for?

See, it isn’t that we can’t connect with one another.  We do that probably more than ever.  In fact, the online world has brought us in closer contact to old friends and family like never before.  You can’t even be out of touch or ‘unplugged’ as we say now for more than a few hours before you start to feel lost.  Actually, it seems there is some inverse relationship between age and the ability to be unplugged without losing your mind.  The younger you are, the harder it is to be unplugged as the clock ticks.

But, we have also lost something in the mix.  That electronic connection has actually shortened the time we spend face to face in another’s company.  So, the irony is that with all this globalization, we’ve actually moved further from those closest to us.  You, might be wondering how this all ended up on a site about Wall Clocks.  Simple really.  These types of clocks just bring back that time of awareness and attention.  That old key-winding mechanism of those antique wall clocks is just representative of a different pace of life.  When the clock ran out of juice, you would have to wind it back up and get the hands back in the right place.  Now, you can just pull out your globally positioned cell phone and get the exact time down to the seconds. Oh well, times do change.  There was a time when you could also put on a nice watch and that would be enough.  For weeks it might be the same one you wore, rarely taking it off.  Now, they are more like disposable razors.  There once was a time when shaving, at least for male grooming purposes could be made into an enjoyable experience.  You could sit in your barber’s chair.  Get a nice warm towel treatment, some good conversation and leave feeling really smooth and clean.  And the women, oh, they loved the clean shaven face like that.  Seems like we are turning more and more into a consumable culture.  If you get yourself one of those antique clocks, you can imagine how the time would seem to slow down as well.  Just remember that it isn’t the accuracy or efficiency of your life that makes it rich and meaningful, it is the time you spend along the way.

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Bulova Wall Clocks

A sample of the Bulova brand.

Certainly a recognized expert in accurate timepieces, Bulova is a fine choice.  More known for their watches, Bulova has made a significant impact on the elegant design of clocks as well.  You may be interested to learn that Joseph Bulova was a 23-year old immigrant from Bohemia who arrived in New York in 1875.  He opened a store on Maiden Lane in New York City and the tradition stands today.  At Bulova you can find a complete description of their distinctive wall clocks and features.

Of particular interest may be their one-year warranty on all clocks.  You will find that they insist of precision quality craftsmanship in all areas and are made of the best materials of choice woods, metals, porcelains, lead crystal and leather.  They guarantee the precision of their clocks to within 3 minutes per year.  Bulova offers battery powered quartz crystal precision or hand wound styles reminiscent of European classic styling.  You will likely be more impressed with their selection of grandfather clocks, because of their elegance and inherent presence.  With a variety of both circular or pendulum styles to choose from, if your tastes are more classically defined, then Bulova might just be the one for you.     

Hermle Wall Clocks

Here is another brand of wall clocks that is sure to be appreciated.  Hermle clocks

Just one type of a more traditional style of clock by Hermle.

are known for their clean lines and technical precision.  You will find that you can shop for Hermle clocks in one of several categories:  Elegant, Classic or Contemporary.  Each has specific qualities and characteristics that will make your wall clock become one of your family’s cherished possessions.  Another feature is their 2 year warranty and free shipping anywhere in the continental U.S.

Within their ‘elegant’ collection, you will find mechanical key wound wall clocks in both spring-driven and weight-driven (pendulum) styles.  The ‘classic’ collection features wooden cased wall clocks and circular styles with wrought iron, quartz and mechanical reproduction styles of wall clocks.  Then, if you are interested in more contemporary wall clocks, there is a collection for you as well.  These styles use more light colored woods with silver metal elements.  All styles rely on the fine engineering featured by Hermle.  With nearly several dozen styles in each collection, you are sure to find something that you like.

Howard Miller Wall Clocks

An example of a wood Howard Miller clock.

A name you will run across often in your search for the perfect piece of wall clock art is Howard Miller.  These clocks are known for their attention to detail and craftsmanship.  The company itself was founded in 1926 by 21-year old Howard C. Miller.  He was schooled in the art of clock making by his father, Howard, in the Black Forest region of Germany.  In the 1960s the company turned its attention to grandfather clocks and gained the reputation as the ‘world’s largest grandfather clock manufacturer.’

What you will be struck by is the classic nature of many of their designs.  It is in the simplicity that the details reveal themselves.  Like the other brand name clocks mentioned, Howard Miller clocks offer key wound pendulum styles as well as quartz styles.  Within their collection of key wound pendulum styles, you will find a variety of finely crafted wood cased styles.  Then, in the ‘Quartz Wall Clocks’ category, you will find an array of classic to contemporary to unique styles of wall clocks.

Infinity Instruments Wall Clocks

There is not a lot to be said for this brand of wall clock other than – wow!  These clocks are some of the most unique

Here is one of those unique wall clocks by Infinity Instruments.

and affordable ones on the market today.  Relatively newer to the wall clock scene than the Bulova and Howard Miller brands, since 1995, Infinity Instruments is making great strides into this ever expanding market.

Their clocks are stylish and make a statement without having to be due to a famous name.  While they may be getting famous for their clock collections, it is only because they deserve the recognition.  Have a look over there, you won’t be disappointed.  It is hard to describe their clock style because they truly do have a unique look.  What can be said is that they are more known for their circular wall clocks, rather than pendulum or wood case styles.  Infinity Instrument clocks utilize a variety of materials from woods to various metals and a combination of the two to create unique pieces that you will enjoy for years.

Seiko Wall Clocks

An example of the Seiko brand of a more contemporary look.

Here is another name you are likely familiar with when it comes to time.  In my mind, Seiko is still more reminiscent of watches than clocks.  The principles are essentially the same.  What happens is that the scale and design are what change.  So, just like with Bulova, the mechanical nature of the timepiece is of great quality it just comes down to the type of design you want for your home.  Their site actually makes searching for your style quite simple.

What stands out about Seiko clocks are their diversity.  You can find a more traditional looking wood wall clock and then see something more whimsical made of a synthetic material and have several moving parts. In this regard, the Seiko clocks get the nod for more playfulness.  Depending upon your criteria, classic or traditional styling may be more up your alley.  Just remember, their history and quality of products is on par with the other historical brands mentioned in this article.

Seth Thomas Wall Clocks

This company’s claim to fame is that they are ‘America’s Oldest Clockmaker since

Here a modern looking Seth Thomas wall clock.

1813′.  Now, that actually is something to brag about.  They are also known for their public tower clocks which are installed throughout the United States.  Their most famous is probably the clock standing in the center of Grand Central Station in New York City.  Their wall clock collection is somewhat limited, but it does have a quality about it.  They also have some more contemporary styles as well.  If you know that you want a circular wall clock or some specific style, then Seth Thomas will probably not fit the bill for you.  However, if you want a clock that can be representative of a time gone by or coming soon, then they might be your company.  At the time of this writing, the Seth Thomas company had just changed ownership so some site design and updating was taking place.  You can find some of the inventory from other clock partners on line however.

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The Traditional Pendulum Wood Wall Clock

This is an example of what traditional wood wall clocks look like.

By the title, you can imagine what this clock looks like.  Traditionally, this style has a non-wooden (could be metal, or a painted surface) faced clock with a pendulum.  The whole assembly is usually housed within a wooden case, often with glass windows to see the pendulum swinging.  Sometimes, the glass windows are also on the sides near the face to allow for an onlooker to view the mechanical workings inside the clock itself.  This is one of the charms of these types of wall clocks.

In times past, this type of wooden wall clock would have been wound by hand with some sort of key.  The spring and coil mechanisms stored the energy of the windings and would keep accurate time for some period before needing another few turns of the wrist.  Modern pendulum clocks of this  style are usually battery powered.  Ahh, the conveniences of modern history.  While the accuracy of these types of pendulum clocks is good, be prepared to keep an eye on them and adjust when necessary.  Since you are probably buying the clock more for decorative purposes, the accuracy may be less of an issue.  Regardless, you still want to get the functionality out of your beautiful piece of art.

You will find that the majority of wall clocks in this style are of a darker colored wood or stain.  Often, the woods that make up the cases are of cherry or oak.  Both woods have a nice grain pattern to them and the choice is more of personal preference.  For a longer lasting, classic appeal, you might find that the cherry cabinet variety fits the bill better in this regard.

Wood Wall Clocks Also Come In Contemporary Styles

What we have been discussing up to this point is the classically styled hanging wall clock.  These types still make up the majority of wooden wall clock sales.  However, a clock with growing popularity is a more modern take on the traditional wooden style.  There are also two divisions here.  First of all, we can talk about the general overall features and then the more specific styles of each.

A look at how the face of a wood wall clock can be solid wood instead of an ivory-like appearance.

The overall style is one of having the clock face itself being crafted of wood.  Then, the numerals, hands and other details are comprised of either other woods or metals, like brass, iron or a nickel/aluminum finish, that are often inlaid into the face.  So, what we are talking about is a more simple clock appearance, usually round but could be square, with no pendulum.  The look of these wooden clocks is quite striking – in a classic way.  Not too much, just enough modern styling to highlight the elegance of the woods.  These come in either darker woods, like cherry or walnut for example, or in more modern looks like the lighter oaks and ash or birch woods.  The lighter woods usually have the metal elements in nickel or brushed aluminum.  This is definitely going to give you a more modern or urban feel.  The darker woods with the brass or iron metal elements will lend themselves to a more handsome and refined style.  A very nice look that is making a move is the darker wood faces with the brushed nickel and aluminum elements.  This creates a great mix of modern styling with that refined elegant and masculine quality.  There is a wide range of options these days regarding many aspects of wall clocks that simply didn’t exist in previous years.

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