How To Choose A Mantel & Tabletop Clock

• A mantel clock is designed to sit atop a shelf (mantel) above the fireplace. These clocks are decorative and have been a mainstay for mantel décor for centuries. They generally have an outside casing of wood or metal and a face with hands pointing to numerals as the internal mechanism keeps time; as such, they are considered analog in function.

• A tabletop clock sits atop a table or shelf and can be decorative, utilitarian, or both. They come in both analog and digital displays (digits reflect time instead of the clock face with hands and numbers.) They come in all styles, shapes, and materials.

When is the last time you heard a clock chime, gong, or tick-tock? Taking the time to read the hands of an old-school analog clock face can bring immense pleasure. Or if you are into contemporary style, a silent modern digital clock in brilliant metal will give you a sense of timeliness. No matter, there is a clock type to suit your taste and needs.

Anniversary

Often brass or silver mechanism with ivory or white face enclosed by a glass dome. As its name suggests, it runs approximately a year without changing the battery or winding the key. For use on a mantel, shelf, and tabletop.

Bracket

A metal face clock with a decorative wood case and handle on top. Tends toward traditional style. Square or rectangular in shape.

Carriage

First created centuries ago for use in horse-drawn carriages, these clocks have a large handle at the top for holding. They are best used at the bedside or sofa side as they are smaller than most mantel clocks. Come in brass, gold, and silver casing with decorative faces and hands.

Tambour

With its distinct camelback shape, this traditional clock is the most common type of mantel clock. It is most often made of smooth wood with a round clock face.

Old World/Maritime

Made from wood or metal, these clocks keep time as well as additional measurement devices like air pressure and direction.

Alarm

Can be vintage with alarm bells on top or digital with alarm speaker. Come in a variety of shapes and styles from traditional to contemporary. Ideal for setting at the bedside or on a table.

How to Select the Right Style of a Mantel or Tabletop Clock?

A myriad of clock styles to decorate your mantel, tabletops, and shelves can be found. Some have decorative faces, while others have cases made of pure brass. To help you determine the clock for you, consult the décor styles with correlating detail suggestions below.

• Traditional: Wood or metal casing, ornate detailing, decorative clock face with Roman numerals, accent legs or pedestal, handle top, glass dome. Analog.
• Contemporary: Analog or digital, numberless face, modern numerals if any, geometric or round shape, stainless or nickel casing.
• Vintage: Analog, round or oval case, brass or stainless finish, alarm bells on top, decorative face, roman numerals, rounded feet.
• Modern: Medium to light wood or leather casing, mid-century style, retro numerals, and slender hands. Analog.
• Antique: Pendulum style mechanism, wood or metal casing. Analog.
• Eclectic: Decorative themed faces and casing - nature, birds, flowers, sports, beach. Wood, metal, plastic. Digital or analog.

From quartz clocks to digital alarms to antique models, the mechanism used to power these timepieces typically fall within three categories:

• Battery-Operated: Battery power offers smooth movement that keeps excellent time. No-fuss and low-maintenance. Available in both mantel and tabletop clocks. Tabletop travel clocks are also made with batteries.

• Key Wound: These are typical of antique clocks, and luxury made clocks. A key is inserted into a hole then wound on a dial to activate the clock's mechanical mechanism. These clocks need to be wound every 8, 14, or 31 days depending upon the movement setting.

• Electric: Common to digital and radio clocks, an electrical cord is plugged into a wall socket to power the clock's timekeeping mechanism.

Both type clocks run the price scale from ten to thousands of dollars. Antique mantel clocks will run at the top of the scale, while digital alarm clocks start as low as a few dollars. Once you decide on placement and budget, then you'll be able to figure what clocks fit within your price range.