As the price of a clock increases, the number of ready buyers decreases. In simpler terms, there are as many times as many buyers for $100.00 clocks as there are $1,000.00 clocks. About $300.00 to $400.00 is a level where this is most apparent. It seems here is where a lot of people choke off. If you take the original cost of the clock, which is a direct indication of the quality of the materials and workmanship, and the number of man hours it cost to produce it, you will find, for example, the cheap kitchen clocks bringing 50 times what they sold for new. On the other hand, a jeweler''s or Parlor Regulator may not bring more than 10 times its original cost. Some clocks that have not come to the attention of collectors hardly bring their original cost, an example being car clocks. As a buyer becomes more knowledgeable he usually advances to the better clocks.
Factors such as choking level, dollar depreciation, and nostalgia, coupled with buyers becoming more knowledgeable, will surely cause the higher quality clocks to increase in value rapidly.
Another thing to keep in mind is that there are (and the number is increasing every day) more buyers than there are clocks. Market pressure or demand is what sets the price of any clock more than anything else, and with a steadily decreasing supply, there is nowhere to go but up. I would say that you can buy a clock or clocks at the current market value, keep and enjoy them as long as you like, and then resell them at a profit, or hand them down as family heirlooms.
Condition: Mint original condition -- 100%
Paper dial replacing painted dial -- deduct 10%. New paper dial replacing original paper dial or old paper dial in poor condition -- deduct 5%.
Replacement hands or pendulum ball, if reproductions of original -- deduct 2%. If not reproductions of original -- deduct 5%.
Old and original works not of correct type for particular model of antique clock -- deduct 20%.
New calendar works, reproduction of original -- deduct 20%
New time works, reproduction of original -- deduct 30%. New works, not reproduction of original -- deduct 50-80%, or figure value of case only plus value of works.
Labels: Clocks that were originally produced with labels should have legible labels in fair condition. For a mint original label, add 10%. Always make sure that the label, the works and the case are consistent, matching and original. If label is a replacement, but is a duplicate of the original that should be there, deduct 10%. No label, deduct 15-20% except on kitchen clocks, where it doesn''t make as much difference.
Case: Refinished like original, or original finish fair -- deduct 5%. Good refinish, not like original, or original in poor conditio -- deduct 15%. Poor refinsh, not of original type -- deduct 25%.
Missing minor unnoticeable parts, or minor damage -- deduct 5%. Missing noticeable small parts, or noticeable damage -- deduct 10%. Missing part of base or top, or more major damage -- deduct 25%. Missing most of top or base, or more major damage -- deduct 50-75%.
Many clocks were originally offered with alarm, strike, and driving power options. Some collectors feel these options enhance the value of a clock as follows:
Operating Alarm -- add $10.00-$20.00. If weight operated add $50-$75.
Hour strike -- add $5.00. Hour and one-half hour strike -- add 410.00. Gong -- $5.00.
Beware many times these options are added to a clock of a model that did not have them offered as an option originally. In this case, they detract from the value of a clock. If a clock is a rare model, these options do not affect the value nearly as much as on the common models.
