When is a brand not a brand? When it is words in another language translated because they both sound and look good! This is the case of the so-called branded Tempus Fugit Grandfather Clocks. Tempus Fugit is Latin for the words “time flies”. Because of that, everybody and their brother whom manufactures grandfather clocks, or who has made grandfather clocks, grandmother clocks, tall case clocks or longcase clocks over the last 200+ years has had many of them wearing the Tempus Fugit name prominently displayed on these antique grandfather clocks and antique grandmother clocks. Even many pocket watches say Tempus Fugit on them!
At 1-800-4CLOCKS.com, we get at least one call a day from individuals wanting to know what their “Tempus Fugit” branded grandfather clocks are worth, and when they were made. Guess what — just about all the major clock brands, from Howard Miller Clocks to Seth Thomas Clocks, Ridgeway Clocks, Hermle Clocks, and many more have made models bearing that Latin phrase, and it is absolutely irrelevant in determining the value of a grandfather clock.
Before Howard Miller Grandfather Clocks, and Ridgeway Grandfather Clocks, and Seth Thomas and Hermle Grandfather Clocks, there were many tens of thousand of great makers around the world making clocks some of which no doubt sported the Time Flies saying in Latin.
Even many mantle clocks and wall clocks also have the Tempus Fugit saying on them.
In a previous post we stated, not to be anti-social but rather to save everyone some time, to please not call us if you are looking for grandfather clock parts or mantel clock parts or wall clock parts because we do NOT carry them. Well, by the same logic, and not to sound anti-clock or unhelpful, please do NOT call us asking about the value of your Tempus Fugit grandfather clock.
It’s about as valuable in appraising a clock as E Pluribis Unum is in telling you what your coin or dollar bill is worth.
May Father Time be with you!