The face of time - French and German vintage alarm clocks

My favourite items to purchase are clocks, and this season I noticed a definite decline in selection compared to 2013/14; it's interesting to note that prices have also increased significantly (for the nicer pieces that is....) which means leaving some of them behind. The good news is, it's of course still possible to find some exciting clocks if you look hard enough.   Below are some examples of clocks I've had in my Etsy store stock, many of which now reside in new homes.

When buying a clock it's very easy to get carried away and be blinded by its looks (isn't that true of everything in life?!). It may seem obvious, but when making your purchase it's also important to assure all the knobs and buttons are present - it's very easy to get over-excited and sometimes overlook a serious defect (.......don't ask me how I know!).  

Now, if you're a collector/restorer, having a stock of spares is a good idea, so providing you don't over-pay, a missing knob needn't put you off buying a clock, as many of the simple components are standard in design.  Luckily, you don't need to worry when it comes to buying any of my stock as they're always inspected, tested and complete (.....unless of course, otherwise stated). 

Again, obvious as it may seem, it's also a good idea when hunting for clocks to make sure they actually work - I've always made it routine to ignore the seller telling me what a lovely clock I'm looking at, and check it out for myself.  Amazingly, some of the clocks I've found are 60 plus years old and while not having been treated with particular care by their previous owners, have luckily all been working. You'll find old alarm clocks need winding up every day, sometimes twice, but that's the charm of a vintage clock.    

Condition and styles are varied and you'll find most vintage alarm clocks come with their dings, dents and scratches, not to mention a variety of shapes, sizes, colours - some people like them almost perfect while others prefer a shabby piece;  although my clocks are thoroughly cleaned, and boy do they need it, they all still wear their original paint, some being shabby chic while others are more refined.    

Not an alarm clock, but a very nice example of an original early 20th century tole clock in full working order. See it in my Etsy shop

So, whether you're a fan of art deco, 40s utilitarian,  mid-century, or 70s funkiness, it's all out there (or my shop) for you to find!