Old wall clocks are very versatile decorative pieces as well as they are efficiently functional time tellers.

Identifying wall clocks

As was mentioned, wall clocks embody a very large clock category, both old and modern. Throughout the years, they have been produced in countless range, one that keeps in constant pace with time and trend.  

Below is a general classification of wall clocks and identifying them could be done based on antiquity, function, and movement.

Antique wall clocks

Carries along a nostalgia-factor, making the prime choices of most clock collectors. Styles of antique wall clocks can be recognized by certain characteristics such as using Roman Numerals in the clock face with sharply pointed and curvy clock hands.

Well working and high quality old wall clocks are valuable and therefore carry along equally high price and worth.

Retro wall clocks

Evocative designed wall clocks representing famous clock designs that were once recognized in a particular decade and or period.

Contemporary wall clocks

Wall clock models that are most commonly purchased. There are styled to make straightforward statements, one that also use Roman numerals but in a rather upgraded look.

Modern wall clocks

Designed to present futuristic wall clock models. Modern wall clocks comes in chaotic graphic designs, space related themes, abstract designs, and many other forms and shapes meant to provide an alternative option for people who want to have a unique wall timepiece.

Decorative wall clocks

Meant to compliment and accentuate the existing decors of a room. Decorative wall clocks do not necessarily require functionality but is rather acquired fore mostly because of its style.

Novelty wall clocks

By far the most leading type of wall clock. They come in all sorts of styles and designs from simple shapes to more complicated forms. Novelty clocks also incorporate famous people such as movie stars and political figures, and even cartoon characters unto their designs.

Wall clock movement

Determining the type of wall clock can also be done via their mechanism, key wound and pendulum clock movements.

•    Key wound wall clock – runs by the use of a key to wind up the clock.

•    Pendulum wall clocks – is driven by a pendulum or sometimes a giant rod to keep precise time.

Antique wall clock styles and designs

Because wall clocks are basically designed to be hanged on walls, so they’re named, several types of antique clocks fall under its category that too are meant to display elegance in an elevated manner.  

Cuckoo clocks

Traces their origin back to 1730 and is an attributed work of Freidrich Eisenlohr, it became popular in the 3rd quarter of the 19th century.

Coo coo clocks are symbolized by a house with a small cuckoo bird that comes out every half an hour (or every hour) to announce the time with a cuckoo call.

 

Grandfather wall clocks

A style of wall clock that relates to the construction of a long case clock. The obvious difference would be its indicative to be hanged on a wall rather than be a free standing timepiece.

Regulator wall clocks

Are among the most accurate clocks of their time. They run on weight-driven mechanism that allows the clock to be more accurate compared to the simple spring driven wound mechanism.

Gallery wall clocks 

Is a popular type of American wall clock. Unlike the banjo clock, that have long cases to hide its pendulum, the gallery clock were almost dial and hardly has any casing beneath the clock’s face at all.

Gallery wall clocks are favored timepieces to be displayed in churches, courthouses, and other public buildings.

Banjo clocks

Is an antique clock type that follows the shape of a banjo. They were originally known as “improved” and “patent” timepiece, the term banjo popularized on later modern times.

Schoolhouse wall clocks

Also referred to as drop dial and drop trunk clocks. This type of wall clock comes with a trunk extension that houses the pendulum.

The clock’s trunk usually has a door with a glassed window that allows the pendulum’s movement to be easily seen and adjusted.

They are likewise referred to as schoolhouse clocks due to their widespread use in schools and other public places such as saloons and post offices.

 

Mirror clocks

A rather popular form of American wall clock. Its clock dial typically occupies the top of its rectangular case and its bottom section is entrusted to a mirror behind that swings the clock’s pendulum.

Advertising wall clocks

Is used for promotional purposes. It is a collective term that pertains to clocks that advertises certain products and services that is displayed somewhere on the clock dial or on the clock case.

Double – dial wall clocks

A timepiece that provides the hours and minutes in the top section of its case, it also has hands that points to the date, month, and or day of the week located at the bottom. It is a 19th century favorite made mostly by famous clockmakers, Jerome and Ingrahm.

Picture clocks

Is used to refer to 2 different clock styles. One being spring driven that is incorporated with a painting or a picture that is a part of a scene.

The other refers to wall clocks which have dials that are surrounded by a highly ornate and enclosed picture frame type molding.

Analog and digital wall clocks

At the advent of technology, clocks too had adapted the ways and terms by which timekeeping can be done in so many other alternative approach.

This no longer requires traditional complications, and hence the conception of wall clocks driven by modern innovations.

•    Analog wall clocks – wall clocks that are powered mechanically. The time is directly shown in the clock face. Some digital wall clocks are powered by an analog movement; they are referred to as flip clocks.

 

•    Digital wall clocks – because of technology’s continuing advancement, digital timepieces came into existence and are becoming more utilized. They do not necessarily need round faces as such they come in an abundant array of shapes and sizes.

LCD wall clocks

Type of digital clock that uses liquid crystal display (LCD) to show and tell time.

LED wall clocks

Light emitting diode (LED), the use of little lights to make up a whole clock face, including the clock hands, and the numbers as well. This allows various forms of wall clock designs that are otherwise wouldn’t be possible.

Neon wall clocks

Usually accompanies novelty wall clocks because of their wacky and playful charm. They are commonly found on liqueur and sports themed wall clocks.

Wall clock themes

Wall clock themes allows a collective grouping that is in accordance to the design of a wall clock that will no longer fall under the earlier mentioned categories.

Nautical wall clocks

Commonly consists of forms portraying a compass, light house, captain’s wheel, life saver, and any other thing that you can find on a ship.

Bathroom wall clocks

A wall clock theme that subsists of the common things you see on bathrooms such as toilet paper, tubs and showers, toothbrush and toothpaste.

Kitchen wall clocks

A popular theme in most part of America. Most of the symbols you can find in these wall clocks include chefs, fruits and vegetables, food, baking ingredients, cutlery and other kitchen wares.

Oversized wall clocks

Are designed for both purposes of classical sophistication as well as functionality. Their rather large size makes it easier to check and tell the time.