Friday, August 6, 2010

Antique Watch Winders

Any winding device manufactured prior to the sixties is considered as antique as these generally did not have advanced functions such as automatic shutdowns and restarts. The winding mechanism was made from small electrical motors that provided simple circular rotations and had to be manually shut off after winding operations. They generally had a wooden framework or body with fine engravings and polished surfaces.
The type of wood used in antique watch winders and its finishing add a lot to the antiques market price. Winders made from Mahogany provided a fine grained, reddish brown texture to the device and made it resistant to swelling, shrinking, and warping. Walnut wood based winders were also resistant to shrinking and warping and provided and excellent finish when coated with varnish or other glossy chemical.
Oak wood with its strong and good bending qualities was used to provide durability and reduce moisture absorption that could damage internal components of the winding device. Other types of wood used in antique watch winders include maple, cherry, rosewood, and teak. Antique winding devices were completely hand made and are excellent examples of fine craftsmanship. The interiors of some of these winders are covered with soft calf hide to prevent scratching.
Antique metal watch winders are also available in the market but only in a limited supply. These winders are available as single, dual, and multiple capacity winding devices and some of these can wind up to twelve wristwatches at the same time. Some of these have the lid attached to the body whereas others are available with a removable lid and a separate body.
People interested in buying antique watch winders should make sure that the device they have selected is genuinely antique as cases of faked antiques has become very common in the present era. The customer can contact the manufacturing company if its still operating to verify the serial number of a particular antique watch winder.
Watch Winder provides detailed information on Watch Winder, Automatic Watch Winder, Watch Winder Box and Case, Best Watch Winder and more. Watch Winder is affiliated with Swiss Rolex Replicas.

Thursday, August 5, 2010

Antique Clock - A History of Time

An antique clock is a time teller of peoples experiences in the past, through its magnificent old-time work. It survived the trials of its own time to tell the stories of its past today. Just like any other arts and traditions, antique clocks gives us a glimpse of yesterday, towards a new journey to our future. Antique clocks are highly-priced not only for its age and uniqueness, but because of the stories it carries from its history.
Antique wall clocks were the first type of time pieces that were designed and made for home use. It is one of the more popular and largest categories of antiques. Antique collectors are also very fond of antique grandfather clocks. Grandfather clocks can best be characterized as very large pendulum clocks. The time piece is enclosed in tall and narrow wooden cabinet that can also serve as storage space for documents. For a professional antique collector, playing it safe is a good motto when chasing after grandfather clocks. For they say, antiques do not lie, but the seller of those do. For advice, consult someone who is knowledgeable about these clocks.
Another type of clock that antique collectors love, is the antique mantle clock. Mantel clocks are usually placed on a shelf or on the mantel above a fireplace. Hence the name mantel clock. These devices are generally small and portable. It is a beautiful time-piece that was very popular during the 18th and 19th centuries. By itself it can add beauty and elegance to any home. Investing in these centuries old time pieces, like the antique grandfather and mantle clock, is an investment of owning a potential heirloom that can be handed down through generations.
There are many different types of antique clocks for sale. If you are looking for something like an antique wall clock to start a new hobby, or if you want one to adorn your new home, your sure to find what you're looking for online. http://theclockstoppers.com.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Buy Antique Clocks For Sale

If you are looking for antique clocks for sale, you need not look far because chances are there are designs that you are in search for. Thanks to the Internet, you can easily have an idea of the specs and the price of antique clocks for sale.
The pictures that are uploaded online can also give you an idea whether these are the clocks that you do want to buy.
Either you use these clocks or collect them, whatever your reason is, you deserve to know what you are getting into when you become part of those people who participate in antique clocks.
Those who buy vintage clocks and opt to use these for timekeeper and home decoration invest in the clocks that run on AA batteries. They would want to ensure that the designs of these antique clocks are authentic and at the same these clocks run on batteries.
They also check the casings and the finishing. The more elaborate the designs, the better it is for them to collect these. These vintage clocks when bought are shipped to the buyer with additional costs.
On average, the buyer can get these clocks in 2 to 8 business days. It depends on the destination.
Whenever you go for it, you have to make sure that the designs are still intact, including the engravings. If you want to maximize your money then you should know the exact conditions of the clocks that you are getting.
Those that were manufactured way back in the 1800s can have a chip here or there, as long as it is working. But the clocks that were distributed in the 21st century must still be in mint condition, as much as possible.
There are some antique clocks that come with pendulums and gongs. If these are the designs that you want, you have to double check whether these still work. You also have to look at the scratches and the sides.
There are some antique clocks for sale that give you a hard time to clean simply because their insides are not that easily reachable therefore cobwebs are collected.
If you are new to this whole buying and selling of vintage clocks, it is best that you have an expert with you. An expert on antique clocks for sale can help you explain the ins and outs of antique clock collection.
You can also have a better idea on the designs that are worth investing in and worth collecting.
You can also be an expert on your own by reading as much as you can on antique clocks.
Discover where to buy antique clocks for sale. Learn where to buy cheap antique american clock online.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Antique Clocks and Watches

Antique clocks and watches were made using different materials, designs, styles, and sizes long, long ago. The ability to accurately identify and research on this antique clocks and watches are important then because of the diversity, as well as the number, of clock and watchmakers and manufacturers around the world.
Back in Time
Time measurement has been one of the concerns of every developing civilization in the world since time immemorial. No wonder that man devised ways to tell time. An example is the use of the world's natural clock which is the sun and the mechanical ones such as clocks and watches.
If we are going to trace the history of clocks and watches, we would be back to the late 14th century when the first clock was made. In the early years, as well as many centuries over, mechanical clocks and watches were so uncommon and made by few that only rulers and noblemen had such. The common people, especially those in Europe, have to rely on the few public clocks that are existent.
The majority of clocks and watches made from the 15th to the middle of the 17th century are now mostly in museums and a small percentage in different individuals' private collection. Most people will never set eyes on these timekeepers nor will be able to recognize them.
Those antique clocks and watches that were made during the 1800's through the early 1900's are more in number since the periods mentioned were the time when clocks and watches were produced in mass quantities.
Things to Consider
Many antique clock and watch collectors would agree that periods in history greatly influenced the materials and styles of clocks and watches, such that these timekeepers were not only used for time measurement, but as decoration as well. Also, they were made with such high quality that with proper care and maintenance, they are apt to last several centuries.
They are the total opposite of most clocks and watches that we have today, however. In a fast-paced world where everything is instant and disposable, clock and watch craftsmanship in the modern age can be considered of low quality compared to that of one or two centuries ago.
There are several things that you may take into consideration if you are a collector or just a one time buyer of an antique clock or watch - besides the fact that it should be interesting, beautiful, befitting your needs or you want it to be a part of your life and home for many years.
The General Condition - This is a very important factor in determining the value of the clock or watch. The timepiece should be competently restored and accurately regulated. If these aspects are not looked into, the clock or watch may just serve as decoration rather than both decorative and functional.
Collecting Antiques is a passion many know too well, many of these antique these collections are surprisingly valuable and extremely interesting and valuable. If you are interested in having, or already started, your own Antique Collecting visit the Antiques Pages at http://antiques.zupatips.com/ to learn about more antiques and collections.

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Antique Pocket Watches

Fundamentally speaking, a silver pocket watch is an object which can trace its origins back to 1892 which was the year during which these items were first manufactured. Not only do they have the ability to tell time at any point during the day but they are also graceful and extremely attractive to look at. Hence, the user of these watches can portray a genteel image.
The original size for a silver pocket watch was based around the dimensions of the size of a small dollar coin and every watch after that was produced alongside the same size. Over the years with the inception of modern pocket watches the size has not really changed although the style and mechanism within the watches differs considerably. The value of antique watches primarily depends upon a number of concerns such as date of manufacture as well as the overall condition of the case of the watch and the mechanism within it.
Also, some 17 century watchmakers used to add jewels as substitutes for metal bearings within the actual machine of the device in order to decrease wear and tear of parts because of friction. Therefore, if one were to find an antique silver pocket watch fitted with jewels then it would be a sign of value for the watch itself. A pocket watch with a manufacturing date of the period preceding 1700 is extremely rare and hence very popular amongst collectors. Such items are also very expensive and people that are collectors are willing to partake with significant amounts of money in order to obtain one.
On the other hand, time pieces that have been made before 1865 are also very popular and are primarily purchased by collectors falling within the category of collectors such as civil war enthusiasts and American history followers. A good example would be that of the Waltham watch which was one of the first time pieces every to be produced in mass manufacturing. The best way to ensure the correct manufacturing date of a particular watch is to check the serial number of the manufacturer and then to compare it with the dates and times for a reference guide book.
Antique time pieces are primarily passed down from generations to generations as heirlooms or family treasures. Hence, they have immense intrinsic value not only in terms of money but also of the way that they have survived through different times and ages.
Visit antique silver watch or antique gold watch for more information.