Antique Way

The Three National Antique Clocks

British antique clocks :

Brian Loomes is probably the best-known name worldwide in antique clocks and Britain's longest-established clock dealer. He began dealing in antique clocks in 1966, since when he has supplied collectors, dealers and museums as well as individual buyers of single clocks on a worldwide basis.

Brian Loomes is also author of over twenty reference books on antique clocks, and has written hundreds of articles on this subject for virtually every antiques-related publication. His own researches into the background history and styles of British clocks have revolutionised our understanding of the subject and of the makers themselves. Several of his books have become definitive texts and are used by museums, libraries, auction houses and collectors the world over. So much so that even many of the terms today used to describe certain type of clock features were first coined by him.

If you want advice regarding a potential purchase from him, or if you are looking for a clock of a particular type or by a particular maker, why not give him a ring? Individual prices of items on this site, or a full list of prices, will be sent on request.

Brian and Joy Loomes carry a large stock of carefully selected British clocks dating from the seventeenth century to about 1870. The principal stock is of longcase (grandfather) clocks, of which they normally have a stock of over EIGHTY of all grades and qualities, all genuine examples, ranging from humble, even primitive, cottage thirty-hour clocks to grand and sophisticated eight-days. This is probably the largest stock of longcase clocks on show of any dealer in Great Britain. Each clock has its original movement and is in its original case. Each is fully and sympathetically restored and tested before selling. They also specialise in genuine antique lantern clocks, mostly English but with occasional examples from other countries. Their stock usually includes a few bracket clocks and probably the largest stock of lantern clocks on show in Great Britain, as well as occasional hooded clocks, hook-and-spike wall clocks, and tavern clocks.

Antique English lantern clocks are a speciality in their stock, and they usually have some interesting examples available. If antique English lantern clocks are your subject, you will find much to interest you in the newly-researched aspects of lantern clocks which keep occurring in articles by Brian Loomes and which are now also published on this website. If you are a collector of antique English lantern clocks, get in touch, as some of the more unusual examples are often sold before they reach the pages of the website to collectors seeking certain types. Tell us what you are looking for or what might interest you, and weˇŻll put you on our request list.

Clock, and clock dial, restoration, clock repair work, clock servicing and clock conservation are also undertaken on behalf of clients. This is carried out by their son, Robert Loomes, whose workshops are located at 3, St. Leonard's Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire, PE9 2HU, phone 01780-481319. Robert Loomes is a member of the British Watch & Clock Makers Guild, the British Horological Institute, and the Worshipful Company of Clockmakers.

French antique clocks :

Let me encourage you to check our site quite often as some clocks are sold or exchanged very rapidly.
Many collectors let me know what items they are looking for: Mantel clock, marble French mantel clock, four glass clock, skeleton clock, tortoiseshell and cut engraved brass French boulle clock, carriage clock, French pendule d'officer timepiece, bracket clock, cartel clock, regulator, wall clocks, weight driven wall clock, longcase clocks, lyre clock, tetes de poupees, column mantel clock, capucine, desk clock, marine chronometer, mystery clocks, French ormolu mantel clock, au sauvage, au n¨¨gre, au bon sauvage, carriage timepiece, french cartel wall clocks, etc.
Precision regulators, like those made by Robin, Ferdinand Berthoud, or Antide Janvier; musical clocks, with rings of bells or with sets of pipes, are works of art which one does not come across every day and we often find we sell them before we have time to put them up on the site. In these last months we have had the privilege of offering our clients clocks signed by Leroy, L¨¦pine, Ferdinand Berthoud and Breguet. (These last two prestigious watchmakers are of Swiss origin)

Swiss antique clocks :

17th century Neuchâtel clocks, in the Louis XIII style, usually these are weight-driven clocks. 18th century Neuchatel clocks; Louis XIV clocks (hard to find); Louis XV clocks (saucer-shaped convex dial with a flat door-glass); Louis XVI (both dial and door-glass convex); clocks with guichets (little separate glazed doors underneath the dials) often quarter-striking or even grande sonnerie; finally mountain clocks, often called country clocks, are Neuchâtel clocks which we know particularly well. This puts us in a good position to advise you about them. Some clocks of this kind, with polychrome decoration or cameo panels, are always available in our shop in Saint-Blaise (Switzerland).

We are also particularly interested in Sumiswald antique clocks, which are derived from Neuchâtel clocks. Sumiswald clocks sometimes also come with grande sonnerie, with guichets or in Louis XVI style. Leuenberger is probably the best-known maker.
Amongst Neuchâtel makers the most famous are Fr¨¦d¨¦ric Jeanjaquet, Eug¨¨ne JeanJaquet, Pierre Jaquet-Droz, Josu¨¦ Robert. We could easily add names to this list and one needs to remember that some magnificent clocks were made in little known workshops. These clocks by unfamiliar names are all the more interesting to collectors.

We only present clocks which we consider worthy of serious interest to collectors, and also in good original condition

It is impossible to have all you want in stock. However, having many contacts allows me to get for you the item you want Please send me your e-mail address or your postal address, and let me know what you are interested in. Discretion assured. Moreover, you may be certain that you will not be showered with numerous irrelevant offers. I will only select clocks which are worthy of interest and whose elements are all original.
I restore all clocks with great care.