Before entering the world of antique clock sales, collectors should consider a number of very important factors. Whether the collector intends to sell only one clock or a number of clocks from their collection, factors such as price, size, condition and method of advertising should be considered before starting the process of selling an antique clock.

Price is one of the most important considerations. Using a price guide or having the clocks professionally appraised can help the collector to determine a fair asking price for the clocks. Alternately, the collector can research the recent sale price of comparable clocks to estimate a fair price.

The condition of the clocks should also be carefully considered. This is especially important if the clocks will be sold online and the buyer will be unable to examine the clocks in person before making a purchase. Care should be taken to assess the condition objectively and to describe the condition accurately.

The size of antique clocks should also be carefully considered. Shipping larger clocks can be rather difficult and expensive. Collectors who are considering selling larger clocks should investigate shipping options before listing the clocks for sale.

Finally, collectors should consider the advertising methods for the clocks they are selling. This is important because it can greatly impact the amount of interest in the clocks. Ideally, the clocks should be advertised where they will be noticed by those who are interested in antique clocks. One way to do this is to advertise in message boards for those interested in antique clocks or to advertise in trade magazines focusing on antique clocks.

Antique clock collectors may find conventions and meetings to be an excellent opportunity to meet with other collectors, learn more about antique clocks and buy, sell or trade collectible clocks. The National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, Inc. (NAWCC) sponsors a national convention annually for collectors who are interested in attending the event. Additionally, there are regional meetings also held throughout the year. These regional meetings are ideal for collectors who are unable to travel to the national convention.

The annual convention of the NAWCC includes seminars, exhibits and a marketplace. The seminars and exhibits are available to all of those attending the seminar; however, only NAWCC members are able to enter the market areas of the seminar. There is a fee for attending the convention and this fee is not a part of the NAWCC membership fees. The NAWCC Headquarters can provide additional information about the fees for the annual convention.

A grandfather clock typically refers to a freestanding clock that has a clock face, a pendulum and weights and is enclosed in a wooden case. Typically, grandfather clocks stand six to eight feet tall and may have elaborate carvings on the case. The portion of the clock covering the face is often referred to as the hood or the bonnet. The wooden case may be made of any type of wood but antique grandfather clocks were typically made of oak or mahogany. Likewise the dial of antique grandfather clocks is usually made of brass but may be constructed of other materials as well.

Collectors of antique clocks may be interested in learning about antique clock restoration. Although in most cases it is necessary to have repairs and restorations performed by an experienced professional, it is worthwhile for collectors to learn about the restoration process. The more knowledgeable the collector is, the easier it will be for them to make informed decisions about recommendations suggested by the professional charged with restoring the clock.

Interested collectors can learn a great deal about antique clock restoration by asking questions of those who have more experience with antique clocks but there are other options for those who prefer to learn at a more leisurely pace. One of these methods of learning includes purchasing ebooks on the subject. However, care should be taken to select an ebook which is accurate and informative.

Lubrication, inspection and overhauls are three of the services which should be performed on antique cuckoo clocks regularly to ensure the clocks remain in proper working condition. Lubrication and inspection should be performed approximately every three years; the clock should undergo a complete overhaul every five to seven years. These services should be performed by an individual well qualified to perform the work.

During a lubrication and inspection, the condition of the movement will be carefully examined for excessive wear or other indications of a need for repair. If all of the pieces are in good working order, the inspector will carefully lubricate each pivot and point of contact with specially formulated oil.

Upon completion of the inspection, the inspector should provide the owner of the clock with a comprehensive report on the condition of the clock. If there is a need for immediate repairs, they should be performed as soon as possible. Otherwise the inspector should make a recommendation for when a complete overhaul of the clock will be necessary.

Individuals interested in collectible clocks may find joining a clock collectors club advantageous. The National Association of Watch & Clock Collectors, Inc. (NAWCC) is one example of a club that provides a great deal of benefits to members interested in collecting clocks.

Members of NAWCC enjoy many benefits. Some of the benefits of membership include access to the NAWCC Mart, receiving the bulletin, access to the lending library and the ability to participate in workshops.

Antique clock movements should be properly maintained and repaired to help to ensure the clock functions as well as possible. This is important because failure to do repairs properly or regularly can result in irreparable damage to the clock. Therefore, the most important aspect of repairing antique clock movements is to ensure the work is completed by a professional who is well experienced in completing these types of repairs.

Repairing antique clock movements should include taking apart the movement, cleaning the parts thoroughly and examining the parts for wear and tear as well as proper function. Once the parts have been cleaned and examined it is time to make any of the necessary repairs. This may include services such as repairing pinions, polishing pivots, repairing mainspring ratchets, correcting wheel meshing and examining the mainsprings. Finally, the movement parts are cleaned again and the movement is reassembled.

An antique clock appraisal can be useful in a number of different ways. Collectors may seek out an appraisal of existing clocks in their collection for insurance reasons. Collectors may also order an appraisal of clocks when they intend to sell one or more of the clocks in their collection. However, care should be taken when selecting an appraiser to perform the appraisal.

Conducting a thorough search of appraisers specializing in antique clocks can help to ensure the appraiser selected is well qualified to appraise the clocks. A few resources for finding appraisers include the International Society of Appraisers, the American Society of Appraisers and the Appraisers Association of America. These organizations all have websites where collectors can view information regarding the appraisers who are members of these organizations.

Finding antique clock parts may seem like an overwhelming task considering the variety of clocks available but there are many helpful resources that can help a collector find the parts he needs. The Extreme Restoration website offers a page of links for those interested in finding antique clock parts. This website not only provides the links to some useful websites related to antique clocks but also provides a brief description for each website. This is extremely useful because it provides a good indication of which websites are worthwhile for finding clock parts.

Consulting an antique clock price guide before selling any of the clocks in your collection will help to ensure you are asking a fair price for your clocks. However, it is important to remember interested buyers may be willing to pay more or less than the fair price for your clocks, based on their need for the clock. For example, a collector desperate to add one of your clocks to his collection may be willing to offer a higher price while a collector who is only mildly interested may not be willing to pay the price suggested by a price guide. In the latter case, the seller will have to decide whether or not it is worthwhile to sell the clock for a price lower than suggested by the price guide.

Setting prices is not the only important use of an antique clock price guide. Online versions of these guides can also be used to learn more about identifying clocks, learn about buying and selling clocks and search for specific clock.

When attending antique clock auctions, it is important to obtain the catalog ahead of time, arrive early, bring along a price guide, and set a budget. These few simple tips can help to ensure the collector not only has an enjoyable time, but has an excellent chance to win a desirable item at the auction.

Whenever possible, collectors should try to obtain a catalog of the items up for auction ahead of time. This will help to give the collector a good idea of the clocks up for auction and will allow him to determine which clocks he might be willing to bid on during the auction. However, the collector should still plan to arrive early for the auction even if he has already examined the catalog. This is because the clocks may look different in person and he may wan to change his plan for bidding after seeing the items in person.

Collectors should be careful to set a budget when attending antique clock auctions. This will help to prevent the collector from spending too much on a clock. The collector should also consider payment options and inquire beforehand how winning bidders may pay for the objects they acquire.