Beyond The Bounds Of Horology:

Clock And Watch Collection


It would be an understatement to say that almost everyone gathers something. Age does not matter here because as young as a toddler, there are items ideal to be brought together such as Barbie dolls for girls and Lego block for boys, among the others. Late bloomers would even want to qualify accumulating as a form of hobby objects that would define their years of existence like antiques. There are also those that show their childlike demeanor such as stationeries, for example. No matter what that particular article is, it all boils down to revealing a part of your personality yearning to be gratified.


Watches now have become a favorite among individuals who are fond of collecting. There are diverse reasons ranging from being aesthetically favorable that they wish to display in their abodes down to being technologically ingenious that their curiosity on the intricacy has taken them captive. An example of a person who is into watch collection is Dr. Divyang Ayar, MD. He is based in the town of Corpus Christi in Texas who specializes in interventional radiology. He fancies gathering complicated time pieces that originated in the 1750’s. Aside from that, he is also charmed with books on horology.


If you wish to follow the footsteps of Dr. Divyang Ayar, MD, you should familiarize yourself with the accounts of old, technicalities of movements, dawning of venture and experience of auction that will all be featured below.


Accounts of Old
The earliest civilization started to decipher periods based on natural phenomena. This included the change of the seasons, rising of the sun and positions of the stars, to enumerate a few. They regarded the identification of time as highly essential which up to this juncture, remains the same. That did not alter not only because of the pursuit of being able to quantify the running days but most of all, to regulate lives.


However, there is an obvious comparison with the past and the present concretely realized by innovation. At this modern instance, people need not make a hole on their roofs like what the three Kings of the East did because of the availability of clocks mounted on the walls or watches worn on the wrists.


Going back to the classic chronicles, the first mechanical time piece was created in Europe around the last stages of the thirteenth century. Such items were huge clocks that were dominantly fashioned by blacksmiths for assembly in religious foundations such as churches. After two hundred years, affluent clients demanded their own to be suitably placed at homes. Locksmiths were able to supply their order through objects of Gothic Chamber patterns. By the fifteenth century, articles driven by a spring were generated in Italy and later, in Germany. Such devices were a proof to them that there was a probability of continued miniaturization.

By the 1500’s, the watch was finally conceived. The first time piece of such kind was believed to be credited to Peter Heinlein of Nuremburg. This item assumed the shape of cylindrical drums. Not long after, objects that were employed as pendants for necklaces appeared. They required more from the pocket though where only the opulent in society was able to acquire not only one but even more so they can flaunt their high status. In the latter part of the sixteenth century, such articles of varied forms were introduced to the public where the most popular were crosses and skulls.


In the seventeenth century, there were watches categorized as pair- cased. The “oignon” time pieces then trailed behind. It had the name because of their so- called semblance to an onion. The modification did not stop there because in the subsequent epochs, the preference of consumers varied so manufacturers were bent to only going after what was the trend so their items would also sell.


Another reason why the exterior of the objects constantly evolved was the development in technology. As a matter of fact, the articles were already mass- produced. The approach commenced in the early nineteenth century when a factory for creation of the devices was built in the United States.


Technicalities of Movements
The enhancements of time pieces were all due to the improvements of the main spring for motive power. Clocks or watches have three fundamental components such as train of wheels transferring the motive power to the escapement, motive power from the main spring and escapement granting the motive power to wind down in a gradual mode.


However in 1675, the balance- spring was created and is actually regarded as the most essential discovery in the field of horology. It was the progress of escapement that allowed higher degrees of precision.


Over the succeeding centuries, there was a wide array of escapements available. There was the contemporary lever escapement said to be the most accurate. There is also the dominant mechanical escapement rampantly employed nowadays in clocks and watches.


If you wish to divulge more on this study especially in the aspect of escapements, there are copious reading materials you can feast. You can grab The Marine Chronometer by Captain Gould or Its About Time by Major Chamberlain. If you are not yet satisfied, there are more details explained in Treatise On Modern Horology by Saunier.


Dawning of Venture
Now that you have been acquainted with the accounts of old and technicalities of movements of time pieces, do you think that you are prepared for the onset of clock and watch collection? Yes, you are armed with an aspiration but that is actually not enough because it would be wise for you to obtain more knowledge first. Do not tire in researching because that would spark up all the more your craving.


Once you have been supported with more than just the basic information, might as well proceed. This is what Seth Atwood of Time Museum practiced. He had all the means to acquire items his heart would fall for but he did not do so not until he understood horology. It is the science that analyzes objects measuring periods.


If you intend to learn in a short instance, Complete Price Guide To Watches authored by Cooksey Shugart, Tom Engle, Richard Gilbert and Martha Shugart can facilitate you well. The first one hundred pages are devoted to the most vital comprehension of time pieces. The book is thought to be a very reliable guide which is looked up to as a miniature encyclopedia having about 10, 350 clocks and watches tallied together with excellent reviews and current values. There are also advises for individuals who seek to gather such items together with historical details and appraisal principles. This material is referred to by both American and European manufacturers.


After you are done with the basic information, the following step is to identify a certain section that intrigues you the most. This is simple as saying to achieve a theme when purchasing time pieces because it will grant more intellectual stimulation. Bear in mind that there is a disparity between “possessing a lot of items” and “possessing a collection of items.”


When you gather objects, make sure that there is a cohesive premise just like when you are designing the interiors of a room. It would also be an advantage if you focus on a specific topic because this will heighten your expertise. As they say, there is no end. It is a cycle that you have to persistently feed considering technology will always launch novelty in the market scene so you also have to be updated to enjoy more refinement in your diversion.


In horology, there is an abundance of themes that you can get hold as a basis in gathering time pieces. There are individuals who base it in brands such as David Salomons, a leading figure in the nineteenth century who struggled for the freedom of the Jews in the United Kingdom. He had a collection of clocks and watches from Breguet. In the last ten years, Swiss Rolex and Patek Philippe have also been a favorite. However, bringing together such items can be a burden to the pockets which is now much of an encumbrance than an extravagance. Then again, accumulating those objects need not to be expensive because there are manufacturers out there that sell such articles at a cheaper rate.


To help you, scout for time pieces that are not wholly common. An example is the clocks and watches of vintage design from Vacheron Constantin. Albeit at this juncture, the brand has already is slowly getting a great niche in the market because of its two hundred fiftieth year anniversary. You can also search out for the many Swiss names because there are a lot of items from the country who have been finished with technical excellence be it with the movements and escapements that even originated from the late nineteenth centuries down to the middle twentieth centuries. Such objects are definitely relative bargains when compared to those articles from recognized companies in the industry. However, if you are more comfortable settling for devices from acknowledged firms, you can do so by all means.


Aside from the brands, you can also concentrate gathering time pieces in the aspect of special mechanism. This is now where movements and escapements enter the picture. This area is much complex considering that you have to take notice of the certain functions but this is also very rewarding for the cerebral system. Due to the intricacy, you will not stop in researching until you will be able to understand even the littlest details of clocks and watches.


If you are attracted to complication which is by the way defined as any operation supplemental to the basic indication of periods. The most prevalent is the mark of the date. There are individuals who are meticulous on perpetual calendars which automatically accounts for months that have different total number of days.


Putting that you are drawn to the attractive facade, there are time pieces that exhibit art. These clocks and watches are categorized as enameled where those that are still in superb condition have gained a huge audience. Brands from Patek Philippe and Jaeger LeCoultre, among the others, continue to fashion such items which can be customized to the preference of the client.


You can also gather time pieces in the context of those owned by notable personalities. If you are fanatic over the likes of Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn who were stellar celebrities in the golden age of tinsel town, you can browse through old photos and carefully observe what they wore on their wrists. You may be having difficulty obtaining such items but you would surely have a grand.


Experience of Auction
You may be asking where you can purchase time pieces of outstanding quality, auctions can be fantastic venues. Today, Antiquorum is considered as a premier agent in selling clocks and watches. The company makes available a lot of catalogs which is advantageous for those who are still in the early stages of gathering such objects.


Time pieces that are presented in catalogs have been scrupulously scrutinized by experts in horology. The conditions of the clocks and watches have been evaluated as well as the inclusion of detailed explanations. Descriptions of the dial, movement and case are written so you will really be able to acquire more knowledge which is also true to the terminologies that may not entirely familiar for you.


When you study the catalogs, you can assess fair marketing of the prices of time pieces that you are interested in. A lot of companies who are into auction actually spend a huge amount in producing catalogs. The material has even turned out to be an item for collection especially those that feature “thematic” sales which is dedicated to a specific matter.


Man can never possess time in their hands but with a collection of clocks and watches, you are seizing instruments that measure it.