Whether you have just one family clock, or a collection of interesting pieces, there is much that can be learnt about the craft, particularly when some hundred years or more ago, before machine tools, just about every component of the piece was made by hand.

Fortunately, there are thousands of books on the subject of horology (the study of the measurement of the passage of time), makers can be researched, the origins of your own piece or heirloom can often be traced back to the maker. Additionally, the influence that styles, trends and society might have had on it can also be seen.

Why do people collect antique clocks, sometimes to the point of an obsession? What is a clock worth? Should it be kept working? How should it be maintained? These and other interesting aspects can hopefully be found in the following pages or in reference books.