
The Complete Handbook of Floor & Grandfather Clocks
Essential Knowledge for Professionals, Restorers, Dealers, and Serious Collectors
by Alumigogo Books
non-fiction
The professional's guide to understanding, selecting, restoring, and profiting from floor and grandfather clocks. Technical depth. Practical business models. No filler.
About this book
Floor and grandfather clocks are among the few consumer furnishings built to outlast their owners. A well-maintained timepiece from the 1960s will keep accurate time for the next 60 years. Yet most people—including many dealers and designers—treat them as decorative objects rather than functional mechanical systems.
This handbook bridges that gap. It covers the actual mechanics of pendulum regulation, the material compositions that affect longevity, how to read maker's marks and serial numbers for authentication, the maintenance routines that prevent costly repairs, and the business opportunities in resale, restoration, and rental. Each chapter is grounded in real-world scenarios: a client's 1980s Ridgeway that won't chime correctly, a dealer evaluating a lot of six estate clocks, a technician diagnosing why a regulator loses two minutes per week.
Whether you're a restoration professional, an antique dealer, a design professional recommending period pieces, or a serious collector, this reference provides the technical depth and practical knowledge you need to work with these instruments confidently and profitably.
Reader Reviews
Amy Nguyen
★★★★★I bought this for my antique shop and found it useful for describing movements to customers, but I wish there was more detail on pricing. The mechanical explanation in Chapter 1 is clear, and I've referenced the maintenance section several times, but for a handbook this thick I expected more on market values and seasonal trends. Still worth having on the shelf.
Sarah Thomas
★★★★★As a clock repair technician with 12 years' experience, I was skeptical this would teach me anything new. Chapter 1 won me over—the explanation of how cable vs. chain-drive systems affect regulation is the clearest I've seen in print. My only criticism is that some of the business chapters felt thin. That said, I'm recommending it to everyone who buys a clock without understanding how it works.
Laura Ramirez
★★★★★Excellent reference for interior designers. I spec a lot of period pieces for residential renovations, and this book gives me the language and confidence to talk to clients about movement types, accuracy, and noise levels. The selection chapter was particularly helpful—I now have a framework for matching clocks to specific rooms and décor periods. Highly recommend if you work in design.
Brenda Ramirez
★★★★★Solid handbook. The technical content is accurate and the business section on resale and restoration models is practical. If I have one complaint it's that Chapter 1 could have included more on how temperature and humidity affect performance—important for my climate—but the glossary and troubleshooting section have saved me time already.
Nicholas Sanchez
★★★★★This is the reference I've been looking for. I collect mid-century Sligh and Tempus Fugit clocks, and the sections on authentication and movement specifications let me evaluate pieces I find at estate sales with real confidence. The business chapters aren't relevant to me, but for someone learning the category from scratch, the foundation in Chapter 1 is exactly right.
Emily Williams
★★★★★I own a clock repair business and was frustrated by the lack of current technical references in this field. This book fills that gap. The maintenance protocols in Chapter 5 are detailed enough to give to customers, and the troubleshooting section covers the exact problems I see most often. Worth every penny if you work with these instruments professionally.
Charles Taylor
★★★★★Bought it to understand my grandmother's old Howard Miller floor clock better before deciding whether to restore it. Chapter 1 demystified how the pendulum and escapement actually work, which helped me understand why the repair quote was reasonable. I'm not a professional but I feel like I can now talk intelligently with a technician. Clear writing, no fluff, exactly what the back cover promises.