If you’re looking for a quality, reliable floor clock backed by nearly two centuries of excellence, I’d definitely approve of a Seth Thomas grandfather clock.
Seth himself founded the company at the beginning of the 19th century, the exact date and year of its foundation being hidden by the passage of time. However, it was never the company that was important, but rather the watches that Thomas and his co-workers produced.
The amount of care and detail that went into each watch had defined Seth Thomas watches. This was especially true of his grandfather, or long-cased clocks, which are considered classic works of art even by contemporary standards. Many major wars, including the civil war and two world wars, have only served to test the mettle of the company. He lived through them to rise above the ashes each time, producing even better pieces as time went on.
To this day, the unique style of a Seth Thomas watch is something that is hard to see in other watches. From the stately patterns of the clock faces to the rich, dark tones of the wood used, it’s easy to spot such a clock in a room with these clocks. If you want an example of how timeless these clocks are, you need only witness the majesty of the Grand Central Terminal clock in midtown Manhattan. This is a shining example of Seth Thomas’ legacy, and you can see for yourself how those watches manage to stand the test of time.
However, you better act fast if you want to own an original Seth Thomas grandfather clock. The company stopped making them about twenty years ago and chose to focus on table and mantel clocks. The company has left the production of newer long case watches to other watch companies, elevating the status of its grandfather clocks as legends.
This decision has only served to increase the value of its original models as time goes on. Their value as family heirlooms and collectibles can easily drive prices into the tens, if not millions of thousands of dollars a piece. And with the distinctive qualities of these watches, it’s not hard to see why collectors are willing to pay more and more with each year that flies by. We may even get to the point where it’s normal for a single longcase watch marked with Seth Thomas’s name to reach seven digits.
A word of caution: don’t let your enthusiasm get the best of you.
As the value of Seth Thomas grandfather clocks begins to increase, so will the number of imitation clocks on the market. If you plan to buy your own Seth Thomas grandfather clock, make sure your sources are legitimate and that you can vouch for the authenticity of the grandfather clock. The last thing you want to do is write a check for a six-digit grandfather clock only to find out it’s fake!
