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Clocks, Watches/please help
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i have a emperor kit clock that was made by black forest for emperor i believe. i think it is from the 70's and is a 300. i have been trying for a year to get a value on this clock but i cant seem to find any thing on it.I really need the money caus i have 4 kids and my wife is disable and i recently lost my job cause of lack of work,but i dont wanna give it away,i paid 50 dollars for it at a estate sale. thank you for your help and time and god bless.
Rick, as explained in my Allexperts personal profile, I am not a certified appraiser and therefore, I do not give values or appraisals, especially over the Internet. I have an idea of some values of clocks for my own use. Many antique clocks values are found in reference books, but values on modern production clocks such as yours just are not widely published. The value of one of these clocks depends on the selling price, the condition of the movement and the case and what the going price is in your local economy. I will say that I have purchased clocks similar to yours at auctions and estate sales for $300-$400, restored them and sold them with a warranty for $700-$900 in the Central Alabama area. But I have also seen some new showroom models sell for around this price lately. I would look in local listings and even on eBay, Craigs List and similar On-line auctions for grandfather clocks. Most of them are general prices for the area in which they are located and local pick-up is usually specified. I hope this helps a little and I'll be pulling for you. Good luck and take care.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
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Answers by Expert:
John Newman
Expertise
As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.
Experience
One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.
Organizations
Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Committee
Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.
Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology
Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)
Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama)
Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)
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