Grandfather Clock Movement - How to Choose a Grandfather Clock

Traditional grandfather clocks have a mechanical movement that requires winding and work without external power. Most grandfather clock mechanical movements are made by a movement supplier, such as by Hermle Clocks or Urgos or Kieninger Clocks while the maker of the clock can be Howard Miller Clocks or Ridgeway Clocks. Mechanical clocks need to be wound, creating energy stored in weights that is used to run the clock. Electric clocks are operated by batteries that produce the external energy to power the clock.There are three movement types:chain-driven,cable-driven, andquartz (battery-operated).

Chain Driven Grandfather Clock

Grandfather clocks with the chain driven movement usechains as a wind mechanismto set the weights in the correct position. The chain-driven grandfather clock has 3 chains, one for each weight with separate purposes. One weight on the right is responsible for the chime melody, one weight in the middle powers the pendulum, and one weight on the left drives the hour striking and counting mechanism. 

The weights must be raised every seven days or the clock will stop. This type of grandfather clock movement needs to bewound manually once a week as the weights are dropping almost to the bottom while powering the grandfather clock. The grandfather clock weights should be placed back to the top by lifting the end of thechain with the weight and at the same time pulling the other end of that chain down. The manufactures suggest performing the weight adjustment wearing cotton gloves or using a soft cloth to protect the chains from tarnishing the brass.

The chain driven movement is less expensive to produce and can be found on the grandfather clocks thatcost less in price. At the same time, the chain driven movements aresmaller in size and as a result, the grandfather clocks with such mechanism tend to have smaller grandfather clock cases and can fit in smaller spaces. Chain driven movement has alower lifespan compared to other movements but it can be replaced at relatively low cost.

Find a full selection of Grandfather Clocks and Floor Clocks withChain Driven Movement here.

Cable Driven Grandfather Clock

On the cable driven grandfather clock, weights aresuspended by cablesthat are used to return the clock's weights to the top position. Similar to chain driven grandfather clocks, there are 3 weights with different purposes: the weight on the right is to power the chime melody, the weight in the middle drives the pendulum, and the weight on the left is responsible for the clock striking mechanism.

Each week the weights need to be adjusted to the top position or the clock will stop. The grandfather clock with cable driven movement iswound by inserting a crank, also called the key, to raise the weights that are near the bottom by the end of the cycle as they power the clock. To place the weights back, the crank (or the key) is inserted into the dial and wind them to the top position. 

The advantage of the cable driven grandfather clock over the chain driven movements is that the brass and cables as well as weights and pendulum are never touchedprotecting from tarnishing. In addition, thelifespan of the cable driven movement ismuch longer and thesound of the chimes might be significantlybetter. The cable driven clocks arebigger in size as the movement requires a larger case which allows for moredecorative and elaborate designs. The cable driven movement costs more to produce and as a result such clocks havehigher prices.

Find a full selection of Grandfather Clocks and Floor Clocks withCable Driven Movement here.

Quartz Battery Operated Grandfather Clock

The newest way of powering grandfather clocks isquartzor battery-operated movement that was used to build the first quartz clock in 1928. Quartz crystals are used to produce an electronic oscillator to power the pendulum of a grandfather clock and keep accurate time. A fresh battery can operate the clock for over a year and needs to be replaced if the clock begins to lose time, chime weakens, or pendulum stops to swing.

Quartz battery powered grandfather clocks require less maintenance as they have less moving parts. In comparison to mechanical movements, quartz clocksdo not need winding and at the same moment, they keep time muchmore accurate.

Find a full selection of Grandfather Clocks and Floor Clocks withQuartz Battery Operated Movement here.

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