SIEW CHEONG CLOCKS, MALAYSIA

A 70+ year old hand crafted cuckoo clock. Its a family heritage passed down from the great grand parents. Before repairs: Both the cuckoo bellows are damaged, clock case cracked of age, movement and weight chains rusty, movement non functional. After repairs: Clock works in running condition, with cuckoo calls and wood works restored.

One of the most frequently asked questions of new clock owners is: “What is the purpose of the moon dial and what do the pictures or symbols stand for?” The question in itself tells us just how far our world has advanced.

Today it is difficult for us to realize just how important the ever-changing phases of the moon were in the past. In the late 17th century, the moon dial was added to most long case clocks so people could plan ahead when the moon was full and travel at night was not so hazardous. Clock masters endeavored to simulate the appearance of the moon in the sky on the face of clocks. (more…)

The chimes and their origins.

Westminster Chimes
The Westminster chimes are the same notes first used on the clock in the University Church tower of St. Mary, Cambridge, England, and in 1859, selected for the Victoria Clock Tower in the House of Parliament in London. There, the hour is still struck on the famous old bell, ” Big Ben”, after the four famous phrases have been played on the smaller bells. The music was inspired by a phrase from Handel’s symphony,” I Know That My Redeemer Liveth”, and the words and music were arranged by Wm. Crotch in 1793. (more…)

“Hickory Dickory dock, the mouse ran up the clock”
Why this rhyme came into existence?
Early clock movements were often made of apple wood, culled from the rich Black Forest region of Western Germany. Those old wooden clocks needed proper lubrication, and most clockmakers used ham or bacon grease. Mice, then, were drawn to the savory wooden gears and plates, which prompted the well known nursery rhyme.

Over 100 years ago in Pierce bridge, North Yorkshire, England, there was a charming travelers’ haven known as the George Hotel. The hotel was a routine stop for horse coaches and was managed by two bachelor brothers named Jenkins.

In the lobby stood a floor clock, as they were called in those days, that had been there for many years. One unusual characteristic of the old clock was that it kept very good time. This was uncommon, since in those days clocks were generally not noted for their accuracy. (more…)

Many years ago, there lived in the Black Forest an old clock-maker who barely earned a living with his work. His little house was surrounded by Linden trees and when the windows were open in the summertime, he could hear the merry songs of the birds of the forest all day long. When winter came and the snow covered the ground and lay heavily on the linden trees and icicles decorated the window sill, all was quiet.
How happy the old man became when the first cuckoo came to announce the arrival of spring with his distinctive “cuckoo cuckoo” The other birds of the forest did not like the cuckoo bird because it is very lazy and has the bad habit of laying it’s eggs in the nests of the other birds. It was always a surprise when among young fledglings, a cuckoo appeared who would open its beak wider than all the others and steal the best morsels that the mother bird brought to the nest. Sometimes the birds’ parents became very angry at the intruder and threw the stranger out of the nest. (more…)

In 1901, the term “Anniversary Clock” was copyrighted by the Bowler & Burdock Co., Cleveland, Ohio, USA. The term “Anniversary Clock” was coined because it had a mechanism and escapement that allowed it to run 400 days without winding. The clock became very popular as a wedding gift because it was wound once a year on the wedding anniversary.

After World War II, the anniversary clock became one of the first clocks to go back into production. It became very easy to purchase at the Post Exchange and thousands of returning GIs brought back as a souvenir. In 1953 there were about 13 manufacturers of the anniversary clock who made approximately 125 different styles, each one having a different suspension system. By 1965 the number of manufacturers had dropped to about 5. Repair parts became difficult to find and the very long, delicate suspension spring could break quite easily. As a result, the battery operated Anniversary Clock came into existence. More recent developments include the addition of sound and crystal balls.