Terms related to Grandfather Clocks

 

(grandfather clock graphic courtesy of animationfactory.com)

4/4 Movement - Grandfather clock movements that chime or strike on the quarter, half and three-quarter hour, in addition to every full hour. Our clocks chime on the hour and half hour.

Beat - The tick of a clock. Or the time it takes for a grandfather clock pendulum (balance) to swing from its center (dead point) to one side and return to its center again. Most clock "escapements" beat twice per cycle. The beats should be equally disposed about the center of the pendulum.  Grandfather clocks with single-beat escapements, such as the chronometer and duplex, have one beat on each alternate swing of the pendulum.

Bezel - Front section of the grandfather clock case including grooved rim into which crystal is set. Can also describe the flat decorative surface adjacent to the grandfather clock dial.

Bob - Polished round disc at the lower end of a grandfather clock pendulum.

Bonnett - The top of these grandfather clocks are usually rounded or connected in a full arch at the top.

Bookmatched - The wood piece is cut in half and folded open like a book so the wood pattern mirrors each other from right to left; to match the grains of (as two sheets of veneer) so that one sheet seems to be the mirrored image of the other.

Break arch - A type of top for bracket clocks and grandfather clocks which appeared about 1765 and is characteristic of the style of George Hepplewhite. The arch is incomplete, having a small ledge or step where it joins the sides of the case. Break-arch grandfather clocks usually had circular dials with brass bezels, but a number are known with silvered all-over, enameled or painted dials Dials with a semi-circular top are also known as break arch.

Burl - A piece of wood with more lines and pattern in the grain of the wood. Burls have to be cut from special areas of the tree; a hard woody often flattened hemispherical outgrowth on a tree.

Cable Driven Movement - A movement that is wound with a crank or key to pull the weights up to the top of the clock. The weights will fall over the course of the week that powers the grandfather clock.

Chain Driven Movement - This grandfather clock movement requires a chain attached to the 3 weights is pulled down once a week to raise the weights. The weights will then fall over the course of the week which powers the clock. This process can mean more problems with the clock. Our clocks do not need the weights to function.

Chapter Ring - The ring on the dial of a grandfather clock where the numbers are displayed. Usually in a brushed silver in a circular pattern.

Chime Rods - Stationary metal rods inside the grandfather clock that, when struck by small hammers, create chimes and the hour gong.

Clock - The word clock is derived from the medieval Latin "clocca" meaning a bell. This is essentially because the earliest "alarm" clocks did not possess dials but merely sounded a bell at the "set" time.

Dentil moulding - A flat piece of molding, equally notched to create small squares in the wood. used to decorate the case of a grandfather clock.

Dial, brass - Brass was the most common material in use on grandfather clocks from the late 16th century to the late 18th century, when enamel or iron dials began to appear. Before it became possible to produce sheets of brass with an even thickness, brass dials were cut from sheets which had been cast and reduced to the required gauge by beating with trip hammers operated by water power.

Escapement - The device in a grandfather clock that controls the action of it's movement.

Finial - A decorative ornament perched on the upper extremity of a column or other structure. Finials are often found on the very top of grandfather clocks, between the split arches.

Fixed Moon Phase Dial - An non-functional image of a moon dial to enhance the look of the grandfather clock.

Grandfather clock - Also called tallcase, longcase, or floor clock. Grandfather clocks are pendulum clocks enclosed in tall narrow cases which are over 6 feet tall. (Some say a true grandfather clock must be 6 foot 3 inches or taller - all of our clocks are at least that tall.)

Grandmother clock - Generally, a popular name for a shorter version of the grandfather clock. If a clock is under 6 foot 3 inches, or very slim and spring-driven with a dome top and an 8” or less square.

Granddaughter clock – This is an even shorter version of a grandfather clock. Generally, any clock less than 5 foot 2 inches tall with most of them using round, electroplated silver dials, with numbers that are painted on rather than engraved.

Hands - The pointed indicators which mark the hours, and minutes on the dial of the grandfather clock.

Keystone - The semi-triangular piece of wood usually at the top center of the clock.

Key-wind - Term used to describe grandfather clocks powered by a mainspring, as with all of our clocks.

Pilasters - Columns or posts that are found on the sides of the grandfather clock running vertically. These are decorative, but also add strength the the cabinet.

Pendulum - A swinging rod hanging from below the grandfather clock's movement to regulate the timekeeping for mechanical movements (usually decorative for quartz movements).

Roman Numerals - Numeral style (I, II, III, IV, etc) used on grandfather clock dials. You may see the Roman Numeral 4 as IIII.  This is not incorrect. In fact, it is the original and oldest designation by the Romans.

Tapered - progressively narrowed toward one end.

Tempus Fugit - Latin phrase that means "Time Flies". This can be frequently found above clock dials.

Weight - Heavy metal piece used to power certain types of grandfather clock chime movements. Usually decorative when used with quartz movements.