Got questions about grandfather clocks? This page covers everything — from how the movement works and how to set the time, to regulating the pendulum, moving the clock safely, and knowing what your grandfather clock is worth. Whether you own a Howard Miller, Ridgeway, or antique floor clock, you’ll find the answer here. Browse the full grandfather clock collection or return to the Clock FAQ Directory for other clock types.
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How Grandfather Clocks Work
A grandfather clock is a freestanding pendulum clock housed in a tall wooden case, typically standing between 6 and 8 feet tall. The case encloses the movement, weights, and pendulum, with a glass door allowing the pendulum to be visible as it swings. Most grandfather clocks chime on the quarter hour and strike the full hour count.
The term "grandfather clock" became widely used after an 1876 song called "My Grandfather's Clock" by Henry Clay Work, which described a tall case clock that stopped when its owner died. Before that, these clocks were simply called longcase or tallcase clocks — terms still used by horologists and auction houses today. The movement is weight-driven, meaning hanging cast iron or brass weights provide the energy to run the gear train, strike mechanism, and chime system. Most quality grandfather clocks use movements made by established German manufacturers — Hermle and Kieninger are the two dominant suppliers — fitted into cases made by American brands like Howard Miller and Ridgeway.
Grandfather clocks run on a weight-driven mechanical movement. Three weights hang from chains or cables inside the case — one powers the timekeeping gear train, one powers the chime mechanism, and one powers the hour strike. As each weight descends, it drives its corresponding function. Winding the clock raises the weights back up, resetting the energy supply.
The timekeeping side is regulated by the pendulum, which swings at a fixed rate determined by its length. The escapement — a rocking lever that releases the gear train one tooth at a time — converts the pendulum's swing into the measured forward movement of the clock hands. The chime mechanism plays a sequence of notes on the quarter, half, and three-quarter hours, then plays the full sequence followed by the hour count at the top of each hour. Westminster is the most common chime melody, though many movements offer Whittington and St. Michael as alternatives. The entire system runs without electricity or batteries — gravity and the pendulum are the only energy sources required.
The difference is height. A grandfather clock typically stands 6 to 8 feet tall, while a grandmother clock is a shorter version of the same design, usually between 5 and 6 feet. Both use identical pendulum movements in tall wooden cases with glass doors — the grandmother clock is simply scaled down for rooms with lower ceilings or where a full-size clock would be too imposing.
A third variation — the granddaughter clock — is smaller still, typically under 5 feet. All three share the same basic design language: a hood at the top housing the dial and movement, a waist section with the pendulum visible through a glass panel, and a base. The chime and strike functions are present on most grandmother clocks as well, though some entry-level grandmother models omit the chime to reduce cost and complexity. For buyers with ceiling heights under 8 feet, a grandmother clock offers the same visual character and mechanical experience in a more manageable size.
Tempus Fugit is a Latin phrase meaning "time flies" — it is a decorative inscription that appears on the dials of many grandfather clocks, particularly mid-range American market pieces from the 1960s through the 1990s. It is not a brand name, a movement maker, or a quality indicator of any kind.
The phrase became common on grandfather clock dials during the period when mass-market floor clocks were sold through department stores and furniture retailers. Seeing "Tempus Fugit" on a dial tells you nothing specific about who made the clock, what movement it contains, or what it is worth — the inscription was applied by case manufacturers and retailers as a generic decorative element. Clocks with this inscription vary enormously in quality, from inexpensive department store pieces with basic movements to well-made floor clocks with quality German movements. To assess a Tempus Fugit clock properly, look at the movement manufacturer stamped on the back plate — Hermle, Kieninger, and Franz Hermle movements indicate a quality piece, while unmarked or generic movements suggest a lower-end product.
Setting Up Your Grandfather Clock
Setting a grandfather clock requires moving only the minute hand — never the hour hand directly. Rotate the minute hand clockwise slowly, pausing at each quarter hour to allow the chime to complete before continuing. Forcing the hands past a chime point without allowing the mechanism to strike can damage the movement.
Start with the clock wound and the pendulum swinging. Move the minute hand forward slowly from its current position toward the correct time, stopping completely each time the clock chimes or strikes and waiting for the sequence to finish. When you reach the correct minute, your clock is set. If the hour hand shows the wrong hour after setting the minutes correctly, the strike count is out of sync — allow the clock to run through several hours naturally and it will self-correct, or consult the owner's manual for the manual correction procedure specific to your movement. Never move the minute hand backwards on a mechanical grandfather clock.
Pendulum length controls the rate. To slow the clock down, lower the pendulum bob by turning the rating nut at the bottom of the pendulum rod counter-clockwise. To speed it up, turn the nut clockwise to raise the bob. Even small adjustments — a quarter turn — make a noticeable difference over 24 hours.
Make one small adjustment at a time and compare the clock against an accurate time source over a full 24-hour period before adjusting again. A clock running 2 minutes fast per day needs only a small downward bob adjustment. Temperature and humidity also affect rate — wooden pendulum rods expand in humidity and contract in dry conditions, causing the clock to run slightly slower in summer and faster in winter. If the clock rate varies significantly by season, a temperature-compensated pendulum or an Invar alloy pendulum rod can minimize the effect. For Howard Miller and Ridgeway clocks, the rating nut is typically accessible through the front door of the case without removing any panels.
Moving a grandfather clock requires disassembly before transport. The movement, weights, and pendulum must all be removed from the case before the clock is moved. Attempting to move a fully assembled grandfather clock risks damaging the movement, bending the chime rods, or breaking the pendulum suspension spring.
Start by stopping the pendulum and removing it from its hook. Remove all three weights by unclipping them from the chains or cables, label or photograph them first, as the weights are often different sizes and must be rehung in the correct positions. Secure the chains or cables so they do not fall through the movement. Remove the clock's hood if possible. Wrap all components individually in moving blankets or padding. Transport the case upright, never on its back or side. Once in the new location, level the case carefully using adjustable feet before reinstalling the movement components. Hang the weights, attach the pendulum, and give it a gentle push to start. The clock will need regulation after moving as the pendulum length and beat may need minor adjustment.
The most likely cause is that the clock is not level. A grandfather clock's pendulum requires the case to be perfectly plumb to swing evenly, even a slight tilt causes the escapement to bind, stopping the clock within minutes of starting.
Use the adjustable levelling feet at the base of the case to bring the clock to level, checking both front-to-back and side-to-side with a spirit level. Then listen to the beat, a properly levelled clock produces an even "tick...tock" rhythm with equal spacing between each beat. If the beat sounds uneven, "tick-tock tick-tock" with a short and long interval, the clock is still not level, or the beat adjustment needs correction. Many movements have a beat adjustment lever that can compensate for minor levelling imperfections. Also check that all three weights are rehung in the correct positions and that the pendulum suspension spring is properly seated at the top. A bent or cracked suspension spring, a common moving casualty, will prevent the pendulum from swinging properly and must be replaced.
No — overwinding a grandfather clock is not possible. The weights reach their highest point and the chains simply stop moving, preventing any further force from being applied to the movement. Wind the clock fully each week until the weights are at their highest position, then stop.
This is a common concern among new owners, often arising from experience with spring-driven mantel or carriage clocks, which can be damaged by overwinding. Grandfather clocks store energy by lifting weights, not by tensioning a spring — once the weights are fully raised, no additional energy enters the system. The correct winding habit is to wind all three weights fully once a week for an 8-day movement, or every day for a 1-day movement, raising each weight until it reaches its upper limit. If the clock stops between windings, the weights have run down rather than the movement being overstressed - simply wind again and restart the pendulum.
Troubleshooting
Several things can silence a grandfather clock's chime — the most common being the chime-off lever being engaged, a weight running down, or the chime mechanism needing service. Check the simplest causes first before assuming a mechanical fault.
Look for a chime selector switch or lever on the movement or dial — many clocks have a silent mode that disables the chime without affecting timekeeping. Confirm all three weights are properly wound up and that the chime weight specifically is raised — each weight powers a different function, and a run-down chime weight silences the melody while the clock continues running. If the chime weight is wound and the selector is in the chime position but the clock still does not chime, the chime mechanism itself may be obstructed or worn. Bent chime hammers, a broken chime release cam, or worn pivot holes in the chime train are all serviceable issues. A qualified clock technician can diagnose and repair most chime problems in a single visit.
Every 7 to 10 years under normal use. A full service involves disassembling the movement, cleaning all components ultrasonically, inspecting pivot holes for wear, replacing worn bushings, lubricating with clock-specific oils, and regulating the timekeeping after reassembly.
Running a grandfather clock on dried-out or contaminated lubricants accelerates wear on the pivot holes and gear teeth — the most expensive damage to repair. A clock that has never been serviced after 20 or 30 years of running will likely need bushing work in addition to cleaning, which adds significantly to the cost. Hermle and Kieninger movements — used in most Howard Miller and Ridgeway clocks — are well-supported with parts and have long service lives when properly maintained. If you acquire an antique grandfather clock with an unknown service history, having it assessed by a clock repair shop before running it is good practice, as running a dry movement causes ongoing damage.
A basic clean and oil service typically runs $150 to $250 at a qualified clock repair shop. A full overhaul — including ultrasonic cleaning, bushing worn pivot holes, and replacing worn components — can range from $350 to $600 or more depending on movement complexity and condition.
Hermle and Kieninger movements are the most economical to service because parts are widely available and most clock technicians are familiar with them. Antique movements, particularly early English longcase movements or those with unusual complications, can cost significantly more to service due to part fabrication and specialist knowledge required. Travel charges apply if the technician comes to your home — which is often preferable for grandfather clocks given the difficulty of transport. Some owners choose to remove just the movement and bring it to the shop, leaving the case in place, which eliminates travel costs. Getting two or three quotes is reasonable for major overhaul work.
Buying & Value
Value depends on the maker, movement quality, case condition, and age. A working grandfather clock with a quality Hermle or Kieninger movement in good condition typically sells for $300 to $1,500 on the secondary market. High-end pieces from makers like Howard Miller or antique longcase clocks in exceptional condition can reach $3,000 to $10,000 or more at auction.
Mass-market grandfather clocks from the 1970s and 1980s — particularly those sold through department stores with unmarked or generic movements — have limited collector appeal and often sell for $100 to $400 regardless of their original retail price. The clock market has softened in recent decades as younger generations show less interest in large traditional furniture pieces, meaning many grandfather clocks sell for considerably less than their owners expect. Condition is paramount — a non-working clock with a damaged case is worth a fraction of a working example in good cosmetic condition. For a precise valuation, a certified horologist or auction house specializing in antiques will give the most accurate assessment.
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