An antique clock isn’t just an old clock.  For one thing, it has to be at least one hundred years old before it can be classified as an antique clock (according to US Customs).  However, there is a lot of wriggle room in this definition.  Some actually think an antique is anything made before 1830 (over 170 years ago) because this was when clocks were still mostly made by hand.  But you will find many timepieces listed as “antique clocks” even though they are nowhere near 100 years old.

Collectables

There are some sellers and some antique shops that will consider anything over fifty years old to be “antique”.  Since there is such a big demand for antique clocks, they will label practically anything that ticks as an antique clock.  What dedicated antique dealers and collectors would prefer shops to do is label their clocks “collectable clock” rather than “antique clock”.

Assessing Timepieces For Sale

And you don’t have to have to purchase a clock from an antique store in order for it to be considered an antique.  You don’t have to slog through yard sale after yard sale, go to grim auctions or push through the crowds at flea markets or car boot sales.  In fact, you don’t even have to leave the house in order to find scads of antique clocks for sale on the internet.

This has both its good points and its bad points.  Although there are great opportunities to network with antique clock collectors and compare notes, there are also many more opportunities to get scammed.  When I refer to scammed, I mean that you are paying far more than the clock is actually worth.  This can happen not only through web sites and internet classifieds like Craigslist, but also with online auction websites like eBay.

Anyone searching for antique clocks should view all actions, classifieds or web site listings with suspicion, unless the seller has a really good reputation and can provide you with clear pictures and a money-back guarantee if you don’t like the clock.  Many sellers think that by adding the word “antique” to anything, that they can automatically add fifty dollars to the asking price.

It doesn’t work that way.  Collectors of antique clocks would be far more appreciative of you and give you better recommendations when you admit that you don’t know if what you’re selling is an antique or not.  Also, don’t list that a clock can be repaired easily if it doesn’t work.  This makes for unhappy customers if the clock winds up not being repairable.

Related posts:

1. This Old Clock On eBay: Are You Kidding Me?
2. You Can’t Drink A Vintage Clock
3. The Advantages Of Antique Mantel Clocks
4. Antique Grandfather Clocks: Why Bother?
5. A Look At Three Antique Alarm Clocks

Tags: Antique Clock

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