Unlike modern items, VINTAGE CLOCKS are built to last FOREVER. A reminder of the old MADE IN THE USA ETHIC. Before everything was made in CHINA

They also have a style that you just dont see anywhere else - like the FINS on a 1959 CADILLAC

The word VINTAGE is thrown around much too often these days.

Technically VINTAGE means ( according to ebay) anything made from 1930 to 1969.  In my opinion it should extend to about "as new as" 1975.  The reality of the situation is that some people think it means anything that was made before you were born.

The best vintage items are defined in particular STYLES. These style names are used so recklessly these days that I have included a short "basic" definition of each one:

ART DECO - made from the 1920s until the 1950s - Characterized by STEPPED elevations, CURVED Contours and the very OVER THE TOP clean Modern Design. For example,. the EMPIRE STATE BUILDING  and CRYSLER BUILDING in NYC is Art DECO so any of those old clocks that looks like these are a great thing. The best Art Deco items were made in the USA, Germany and France.

ART DECO is also CURVED Contours - so any smooth "streamlined" clock, giving the impression of SPEED while standing still is an Art Deco Object.  

EAMES ERA - this is the post World War Two Era of the ATOMIC AGE and what is oftern called "Post Modern". Big Flambouyant SUNBURST or STARBURST clocks fall into this category - but they also can be OBLIQUE, ASYMETRICAL, TRIANGULAR, TRAPEZOIDAL or just bizarre "Forbidden Planet" kind of style (great movie by the way). Lots of glass - skinny legs - uneven numbers, LUCITE,  off-set , . . . . etc.  The Eames era started POST-WW2 in 1947 and lasted until the early 1960's.

HIPPY/GROOVY - this is what I call the 1965 to 1975 style -FLOWER POWER, BIG BOLD OBNOXIOUS,  "HAVE A NICE DAY", TIE-DYED, PYSCHODELIC,  SIMPLISTIC/MINIMALIST and lets not forget Really UGLY FOR UGLY'S SAKE. There are others of this era that are different - like all the Spartus clocks shapped like furniture or milk buckets. 

These are the STANDARD STYLES of Vintage clocks - anything made before 1970 - 1975 is usually failry well made and with minimal maintenace witll last forever. 

Beware of anything called VINTAGE that is powered by DOUBLE A BATTERIES. Nothing that has a QUARTZ movement is VINTAGE with the possible exception of the OLD Q-TIMEX and SEIKO Watches pre-1976. If it runs on a C- or D-cell battery, it could be using the old electromechanical balance wheel movement that was popular in the 1960's and 1970's - this I do consider VINTAGE

Beware of Listings using terms like - VINTAGE STYLE in the Title or the Text 

There are a few newer exceptions that should be acknowleged.  

Exceptions:

Model 8 AND 9 BIG BEN clocks - made the old fashioned way up until 1999

Howard MILLER Clocks - still made the old fashioned way today - not vintage but as good as vintage

Anything made in the 1980s from former Soviet Union Republics - they didnt have the technology so they made great mechanical things - again not VINTAGE but as good as vintage

I am sure there are more and will add them as I think of them

A true Vintage item is one that will never see the high level of quality, style or craftsmanship used in its manfacturing again. Its gone forever. So hold onto it. They are tomorrows antiques.

Remember - a true vintage item properly maintained will last forever - the era of planned obselecense had not yet started in the manufacturing business.

CHEERS to all you "old school" guys and gals

Dave - the clock guy from DAVES STUFF AND THINGS