True old clock lovers will immediately recognize the name New Haven when it comes to high quality American- made clocks. Formerly one of the premiere clock companies in the United States, New Haven clocks today are collected as treasures, and old clock parts for New Haven clocks are still a valuable commodity for any antique clock collector.

 

 

The New Haven Clock Company began in New Haven, Connecticut in 1853. Founded by Hiram Camp,  New Haven was the first clock company to mass produce inexpensive brass clock movements in the United States. These parts were supplied to the Jerome Manufacturing Company, which was then the largest clock-making company in the world. 

 

 

By 1860, the company expanded to include over 300 people and was producing over 170,000 clocks a year. A consistent top seller were simple mantel clock designs. However, the most collectible 19th century clock today is the Ignatz, also known as the flying pendulum shelf clock because of the ball and string “tetherball” that swung from side to side within the frame. 

 

 

Though the company produced hundreds of clock models that ranged from banjo clocks to stately grandfather models, New Haven was continuously close to bankruptcy. The company almost went under in 1894 before being brought back from the brink by Walter C. Camp in the early twentieth century. His influence caused the brand to modernize, eventually expanding into wristwatches and simpler mantle designs. 

 

 

Remarkably, New Haven remained profitable throughout the Depression, but by WWII the company was floundering from poor sales. It limped on for the next two decades, but by 1960, the New Haven Clock Company shut its doors for good. 

 

 

Despite the company closing half a century ago, New Haven clocks have withstood thetest of time and remain valuable collectors pieces today. For those interested in owning a piece of clockmaking history, a New Haven antique clock can't be beat.