Seth Thomas Clocks

Seth Thomas clocks claim a legacy and tradition that extends form 1813 to the present, even though the company wasn't officially formed until 1853. Over more than one hundred years of clock making, classic Seth Thomas clocks include mantel clocks, wall clocks, table top clocks and nautical clocks. One of the most famous clocks in the world, the multifaced clock at Grand Central Terminal, NY is an antique Seth Thomas.

Seth Thomas has been making clocks for over one hundred and fifty years. Many of his vintage works are collectible and classic. Finding an old Seth Thomas clock isn't hard, but finding a bargain is! Look for listings for his clocks on eBay and at other online retailers.

The founder of the company, Seth Thomas, was born in Wolcott, Ct in 1785. His first foray into the industry of clock-making was under the supervision of clockmaker Eli Terry in the factory Terry owned. By 1807 Thomas partnered with Silas Hoadley and bought out Terry`s interest in the factory, then went on to buy Herman Clarks Plymouth Hollow based clock factory as well.

Seth Thomas carried on producing the wooden movement tall clocks that Clark had been making, plus he added a line of wooden movement shelf clocks in 1817. The clocks utilized pillar and scroll cases for several more years, but in 1830 bronze and looking glass styles were all the rage so he began to use case that incorporated those trends. 1842 brought more changes to the product line. This was the year that beloved O.G. case was introduced, and it was also the first year the company used brass movements in some of the clocks. By 1845, wood movements were completely discontinued. The company incorporated in 1853, so that it could continue on when Seth Thomas could no longer run it and after his death. Indeed 6 years later in 1859 Mr. Thomas did pass away, and in 1865 his honor the town of Plymouth Hollow was renamed Thomaston.

During his time, Seth Thomas preferred a fairly narrow range of clock styles, a few solid models manufactured to the highest standards, and this served the company well. Once his sons took over the company though, they came to realize that their were many more styles and models that they could possible make. The first of these they introduced was the Regulator clock in 1860. They also began to make spring driven clocks from1855-1860, perpetual calendar clocks from 1863-1917, walnut kitchen clocks from1884-1909, marble clocks from 1887-1895, black wood mantle clocks from 1885-1917, black enameled iron cased clocks from 1892-1895, oak kitchen clocks from 1890-1915, tambour clocks beginning in 1904, chime clocks beginning in 1909, and modern electric A/C clocks beginning in 1928.

Most models that were produced between 1881 and 1918 are marked with a date code in ink on the case back or the bottom of the clock. The stamp usually consists of a year written in reverse, followed by proceeded by a letter A-L which stood for the month. In 1930, the Seth Thomas Clock Company and the Western Clock Company were united into a holding company called General Time Instruments Corporation. In 1968 Talley Industries purchased General Time, and in 1979 the corporate headquarters of the company was relocated to Norcross, GA. In 2001 General Time broke the news that is was shutting its doors. The Colibri Group promptly took charge of the Seth Thomas operation. The Seth Thomas Company`s historical records, diagrams, photos, ads, and many other related documents are now property of the NAWCC or National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors.