France, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium are the sections within Europe that are most commonly associated with clocks that collectors seek out to add to their personal collections. Throughout history all of these countries have made a variety of amazing collectible clocks. Clocks that have been produced in the United States, United Kingdom, and throughout Africa for the purpose of becoming collectibles have not gained the high quality of international recognition with collectors as the clocks that are produced in these four European countries.



Collectors have rooms within homes that have entire walls that are dedicated to displaying their clocks withing their collections. Each collector will focus their own collections on type of clocks that suits them whether it be wooden traditional clocks or more modern hi-tech clocks. Ultimately, collectors will collect clocks that they like and as a matter of personal taste. Before the clocks began being produced by the mass production, they were custom made, but the assembly line did make the availability of these terrific clocks greater.

When ever collectors are building a collection of clocks it is extremely important to do as much research as possible through reading a variety of books or by searching the Internet. Gaining knowledge about the clocks you are wanting to add to your collection will let you know exactly how the clock was constructed and how it should appear in case of any discrepancies. With the more traditional wooden clocks this knowledge can help a collector know is a piece on the clock has been restored or if the clock is still in its original condition.

The history of making clocks can be quite important to collectors, especially those collectors who have built their collections around a particular individual manufacture. Collectors can locate clocks in any antique shop, flea market, thrift stores, and most garage sales, not to mention on the Internet. The older mantel clocks that were originally created in Europe were designed by cabinet makers with the lines being clean, simple, and precise. French mantel clocks were much more decorative and were produced with the aid of engravers, gliders, special enamels, and other artisans. Either one of these mantel clocks would look wonderful on a shelf of a collector and will not take up too much room.

English lantern clocks are extremely popular with collectors especially the earlier editions due to their popularity among the Victorians that were reproduced in large quantities. The earlier edition of clock were driven by weight movements, while the later versions were driven by springs and were much more reliable and accurate. The designs on lantern clocks are beautiful and more often use a bell or a chime which are located within its casing.

Collectors will collect all types of clocks, which have a type of sophistication within their faces and cases that are cherished due to their sweet sounding chimes. There are all types of floor stand clocks, wall hanging clocks, and regulatory clock that are created with rich colors of wood cases of oak, walnut, cherry, mahogany, and other woods that have made clocks so popular. Carriage clocks, which were later known as travel clock have also become extremely popular with collectors due to their portability and their small size, because they consume less displaying space.