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American Clocks

The history of American clocks begins in colonial New England in the late 1700s. The first American clocks were made by hand one at a time and were mostly tall clocks or grandfather clocks.Thomas Harland, a skilled English clockmaker who settled in Connecticut, trained Eli Terry, who founded the first American clock factory around 1800.

Eli Terry, along with Seth Thomas and Silas Hoadley, applied water-powered machinery to clockmaking. This led to the timepiece industry’s introduction to the Industrial Revolution. Factories began to mass produce clocks with interchangeable parts, a technique that became known as the American system of manufacturing.

Some American clockmakers who made a lasting impression were the Willard family of Massachusetts, Elias Ingraham and Company, and the Ansonia Company. Contemporary New York design company Tiffany and Co. was founded in 1837, representing a departure from European opulence to the new American style. By 1867, Tiffany and Co. was a major competitor in the world of silver, fine jewels, and classic timepieces. Tiffany clocks are sold in more than 200 stores worldwide.


Quick Facts

  • A Simon Willard 1805 Banjo clock sold for $7,380 at Skinner of Boston in 2015
  • An E. Ingraham rosewood Spectacle shelf clock with painted zinc dial in Roman numerals sold for $7,703 at Skinner in 2009
  • An 1880 Tiffany gilt brass and enamel carriage clock featuring Corinthian columns, porcelain dial, and Arabic numerals sold for $4,920 at Skinner Auctions in 2015

Recommended Items at Auction

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AZTEC STYLE CLEVELAND NEON CLOCK
Jan 05, 9:00 AM CST
AZTEC STYLE CLEVELAND NEON CLOCK
by Millers Auction Co.
Est: $0- $0
$1254 Bids
George Nelson Style Oversize Spike Clock
Dec 02, 10:00 AM EST
George Nelson Style Oversize Spike Clock
by Concept Art Gallery
Est: $80- $150
$602 Bids
Ansonia silverplate cased key wind table clock
Dec 04, 2:00 PM PST
Ansonia silverplate cased key wind table clock
by International Auction Gallery
Est: $80- $150
$201 Bid
(5 Pc) MacKenzie Childs Clock, Tray, Bins
Dec 05, 12:00 PM EST
(5 Pc) MacKenzie Childs Clock, Tray, Bins
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $50- $500
$251 Bid
David Marshall Brass and Aluminum Table Clock
Dec 07, 1:00 PM CST
David Marshall Brass and Aluminum Table Clock
by Neal Auction Company
Est: $150- $250
$351 Bid
Art Nouveau Jennings Brothers Mixed Metal Desk Clock
Dec 05, 12:00 PM EST
Art Nouveau Jennings Brothers Mixed Metal Desk Clock
by Akiba Galleries
Est: $50- $500
$251 Bid
George Nelson for Howard Miller Table Clock
Dec 07, 1:00 PM CST
George Nelson for Howard Miller Table Clock
by Neal Auction Company
Est: $300- $500
$701 Bid
Waterbury Eli Terry Weight Clock 16 1/2 x 32 in. (41.9 x 81.3 cm.)
Dec 02, 2:00 PM CST
Waterbury Eli Terry Weight Clock 16 1/2 x 32 in. (41.9 x 81.3 cm.)
by Asselmeier May Auctions
Est: $0- $0
$201 Bid
George Nelson - Ball Clock
Dec 03, 10:00 AM EST
George Nelson - Ball Clock
by Barton's Auction
Est: $300- $400
$2001 Bid
National Clock Co., Fishbowl desk clock
Dec 06, 11:00 AM CST
National Clock Co., Fishbowl desk clock
by Wright
Est: $1,000- $1,500
$1001 Bid
Gilbert Mantel Clock Blue Jasperware Case
Dec 01, 10:00 AM EST
Gilbert Mantel Clock Blue Jasperware Case
by Mebane Antique Auction
Est: $100- $10,000
$501 Bid
MCM Jefferson Golden Hour Electric Mystery Clock
Dec 06, 10:00 AM EST
MCM Jefferson Golden Hour Electric Mystery Clock
by Gray's Auctioneers
Est: $80- $120
$401 Bid
BARNS BARTHOLOMEW & CO. BRISTIL CT. TRIPLE-DECKER SHELF CLOCK.
Dec 19, 9:00 AM EST
BARNS BARTHOLOMEW & CO. BRISTIL CT. TRIPLE-DECKER SHELF CLOCK.
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $800- $1,200
$4000 Bids
SETH THOMAS & SOUTHERN CALENDAR CLOCK CO. DOUBLE DIAL FASHION #8
Dec 19, 9:00 AM EST
SETH THOMAS & SOUTHERN CALENDAR CLOCK CO. DOUBLE DIAL FASHION #8
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $1,000- $2,000
$5000 Bids
DANBURY & STAIGER CLOCKS
Dec 01, 12:00 PM EST
DANBURY & STAIGER CLOCKS
by Converse Auctions
Est: $20- $40
$100 Bids
SOUTHERN CALENDAR CLOCK CO. SETH THOMAS #8 "FASHION CLOCK"
Dec 19, 9:00 AM EST
SOUTHERN CALENDAR CLOCK CO. SETH THOMAS #8 "FASHION CLOCK"
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $1,000- $1,600
$5000 Bids
SOUTHERN CALENDAR CLOCK COMPANY "FASHION NO.5" 8 DAYS, PERPETUAL CALENDAR SHELF CLOCK
Dec 19, 9:00 AM EST
SOUTHERN CALENDAR CLOCK COMPANY "FASHION NO.5" 8 DAYS, PERPETUAL CALENDAR SHELF CLOCK
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $1,200- $1,600
$6000 Bids
SETH THOMAS SOUTHERN CALENDAR FASHION #2 CLOCK
Dec 19, 9:00 AM EST
SETH THOMAS SOUTHERN CALENDAR FASHION #2 CLOCK
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $800- $1,600
$4000 Bids
SOUTHERN CALENDAR CLOCK CO. SETH THOMAS #8 "FASHION CLOCK"
Dec 19, 9:00 AM EST
SOUTHERN CALENDAR CLOCK CO. SETH THOMAS #8 "FASHION CLOCK"
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $1,200- $1,600
$6000 Bids
SOUTHERN CALENDAR CLOCK CO. SETH THOMAS #8 "FASHION CLOCK"
Dec 19, 9:00 AM EST
SOUTHERN CALENDAR CLOCK CO. SETH THOMAS #8 "FASHION CLOCK"
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $800- $1,600
$4000 Bids
SOUTH CALENDAR CLOCK CO. DOUBLE DIAL FASHION CLOCK #8
Dec 19, 9:00 AM EST
SOUTH CALENDAR CLOCK CO. DOUBLE DIAL FASHION CLOCK #8
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $1,200- $1,600
$6000 Bids
WATERBURY #34 OAK "EYEGLASS" PERPETUAL CALENDAR CLOCK
Dec 19, 9:00 AM EST
WATERBURY #34 OAK "EYEGLASS" PERPETUAL CALENDAR CLOCK
by Morphy Auctions
Est: $500- $1,500
$2500 Bids
Tiffany & Co Weather Station Combination Clock
Dec 08, 10:00 AM EST
Tiffany & Co Weather Station Combination Clock
by Collective Hudson, LLC
Est: $600- $800
$4000 Bids

Sellers Who Sell American Clocks


Morphy Auctions

Morphy Auctions

William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals

William Bunch Auctions & Appraisals

Neal Auction Company

Neal Auction Company