Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 10/30/2008

Question
QUESTION: I'm shopping for a clock for my grandfather for christmas, from all of the grandchildren, as a surprise. I see one listed by Colonial with markings on the back of the clock " 1640 CO-45" - can you tell me about how old you think this clock is? I'm also considering a Herschede from likely in the 60's - a rod-chime clock with moon dial. Trying to figure out which one is nicer/better quality/older! Thank you for any information!

ANSWER: Colonial has been out of business for 30-40 years. (as has Herschede)
Are these Ebay listings - or on the internet somewhere? can you send me the web page address? Price? Why buy an old one with potential fatal problems? Colonial used German movements (like everyone for the last 50 years) Herschede made their own mechanisms but personally I think they are crap (strong letter to follow)

with grandfather clocks especially you are buying the furniture primarily but slightly old ones can be real mechanical headaches.

My preference is for 200 year old English Bell-strike tall case clocks- but do not know your price range. like:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Circa-1830s-English-Grandfather-Clock_W0QQitemZ120308213619Q

or

http://www.merritts.com/store4/public/product.aspx?ProductID=87883&SubcategoryID

or really nice new one:

http://www.theclockdepot.com/taylor.html

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Oh, I WISH we had that kind of budget. But it's 11 grandchildren, many in college. One even in elementary school - LOL. Here is a link to the ebay Herschede. The movement is German, not Herschede. Clock comes from the Starkville location in Miss. 8 rod chime. Seller is close enough we can pick up the clock and not have to have it shipped/risk damage. The reason we're not looking at a new clock is because grandfather I know would like an older one. We just can't affort any REALLY old ones - they all need work.

Here is the Herschedes. Item number 280279998057. Seller will negotiate off the listed ebay price for us since it did not sell on ebay. He says it loses about one minute a day but he does not think it is sitting level.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Antique-Herschede-Grandfather-Clock_W0QQitemZ280279998057QQc

Here is a Colonial, also on e-bay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=3302

Thoughts? and THANK YOU so much for your help!  

Answer
the Colonial is nicer-IMHO- but it does not say that it is "It is currently in good working order" like the other two below. The Herschede has a round movement with chain drive and in 36 years of fixing clocks, I do not recall ever seeing such a movement. The case
looks flimsy also.

I like this one - DAneker built fabulous furniture!:    


http://cgi.ebay.com/11029-DANEKER-Cherry-Senator-Grandfather-Clock_W0QQitemZ2702

or this one -very pretty! both are under 6' tallBTW

http://cgi.ebay.com/2000-Cherry-Grandfather-Tall-Cased-Hall-Clock_W0QQitemZ33028