When wading one’s way through a grandfather clock purchase, especially if it is for the one and only for one’s home or office decor, many savvy and thoughtful buyers of clocks are torn between antique grandfather clocks and new grandfather clocks by companies such as Howard Miller Clocks, Kieninger Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, Bulova Grandfather Clocks, and more.

It is not an obvious choice, even for those interior decorators and individuals looking to make the so-called correct choice. Antique Grandfather Clocks have obvious appeal because of their potential rich history, generally solid construction, potential fascinating features, usually costing a lot more, which make the clock stand out (e.g. a mercury pendulum, or automata on a antique grandfather clock).

Many clocks experts would also say, and we would agree generally, that if one shops very carefully for an antique grandfather clock, and finds one that is or has the relatively easy potential to be in good working order, has provenance, ideally, and one purchased at a good price, an antique clock will likely, in our opinion, be a better long-term investment.

There are, however, 2 key facts which 1-800-4CLOCKS would advise customers to also consider – and remember we sell both new and antique clocks. The first, and by far most obvious and talked or written about, is that a new grandfather clock, such as a Howard Miller Grandfather Clock or Kieninger Grandfather Clock, will generally arrive with no problems, and relatively speaking, much lower maintenance costs in the years ahead. There is also the much decreased risk that one my be buying a lemon antique grandfather clock which becomes a bottomless pit for restoration and repair. In this regard, buying an antique grandfather clock is not that much different from buying a used car or vehicle. One should have an expert by their side, or at least weigh in based on a solid facts foundation.

The 2nd fact which we see as an ever-increasing change in the years ahead is that more and more so-called antique grandfather clocks one finds for sale will actually be counterfeit reproductions. While this trend has yet to truly reach the mass market, at least with grandfather clocks, we expect it will, and will grow stronger and more powerful, in the next one to five years.

So whatever you do when you are shopping for a grandfather clock, be sure to do your homework, and hopefully as or with a skilled expert by your side.