Seth Thomas was an industrious clockmaker and pioneer of mass production in the United States. He founded the highly successful Seth Thomas Clock Company, which operated for more than 200 years. Over these two centuries, the company created mantle clocks, wall clocks and table clocks that were known for their masterful craftsmanship and on-trend designs.
Thomas was born in 1785 in Wolcott, Connecticut, to Scottish immigrants. At the time, Connecticut was a growing hub of American clockmaking. Though he left school at an early age, Thomas apprenticed as a carpenter and joiner in Plymouth. In the early 1800s, he made his first clock out of laurel wood from the mountains around his home.
In 1807, Thomas partnered with Eli Terry and Silas Hoadley to form a clock company called Terry, Thomas & Hoadley. Over the next three years, the firm produced around 400 wall clocks. In 1813, Thomas sold his share of the company and moved to Plymouth Hollow, Connecticut, where he established his clock factory. He gained a reputation for producing beautiful grandfather clocks and tower clocks.
When Thomas died in 1859, his son, Aaron, took over the company. The Seth Thomas Clock Company continued operating successfully for several more decades. In 1913, it produced the four-faced tower clock that still stands in New York City’s Grand Central Terminal.
In 1875, Plymouth Hollow was incorporated under the name Thomaston in his honor. The company went out of business in 2009.
Find antique Seth Thomas clocks for sale on 1stDibs.
Vintage Danish Grandfather Clock by Knuba
Located in London, GB
A magnificent and extremely rare vintage Danish grandfather clock by Knuba. This was made in Denmark and dates from around the 1960’s. The design is quite extraordinary, with an inc...
Wood
$1,700Sale Price|38% Off
H 68 in W 16 in D 9 in
Mid-Century Modern Floor Clock Howard Miller Olivewood Case
By Howard Miller
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern olivewood case Howard Miller floor clock. Chrome base. Runs. Chimes need to be adjusted. Very good condition. Dimensions: ...
Wood
$1,912
H 92.52 in W 20.08 in D 9.85 in
Southern Jutland Grandfather Clock In Light Pine Wood From 1780s
Located in Lejre, DK
Antique Southern Jutland grandfather clock from the 1780s. Light oak. H: 235 cm, W: 51 cm, D: 25 cm. Classic Danish grandfather clock. — Origin: Denmark, Southern Jutland — Period: ...
Pine
$3,140
H 83.5 in W 27 in D 13 in
Howard Miller “Eternity II” Curio Grandfather Clock, Oak, Circa 1980s
Located in Omaha, NE
A refined example of late 20th-century American horology, this Howard Miller “Eternity II” curio grandfather clock (Model 610-683) blends precision timekeeping with architectural dis...
Brass
John Nicholl Federal Tall Case Clock
By John Nicholl
Located in New York, NY
Federal Tall Case Clock Made and Signed by John Nicholl, (1784-1862) Belvidere, New Jersey Circa 1825 Primary Wood: Mahogany, Mahogany Ven...
Mahogany, Maple
David Weatherly Philadelphia Tall Case Clock
Located in East Aurora, NY
A very nice Pennsylvania federal tall case clock by David Weatherly (1779-1851) in a beautifully veneered Mahogany case likely made by Thomas O...
Mahogany
$1,646Sale Price|20% Off
H 74.41 in W 24.41 in D 13.39 in
Art & Craft tall case clock by the respected makers W. Greenwood & Sons
Located in Markington, GB
A beautifully proportioned antique tall case clock by the respected makers W. Greenwood & Sons of Leeds, showcasing the elegance and craftsmanship associated with traditional English...
Oak
Mid-Century Modern Howard Miller Floor Clock
By Howard Miller
Located in Toledo, OH
Mid-Century Modern Howard Miller floor clock. Black lacquer with half round chrome trim. Wood paneled front. Chimes need adjustment does not ...
Chrome
Vintage Piper Grandfather Clock, Hermle Movement with Westminster Chime.
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Vintage, 1976, weight-driven Piper grandfather clock. The clock has a West Germany Franz Hermle 451-053 85cm / 70.77 movement with a beautiful Westminster Chime. The chime goes on ev...
Wood
$1,450
H 87.75 in W 19 in D 111.25 in
Antique Ithaca Clock Co. Tall Case Walnut Grandfather Clock C1920
Located in Big Flats, NY
***Reduced Delivery Rates - See Below or Click “Ask The Seller” to Request a Quote*** Antique Ithaca Clock Co. Tall Case Walnut Grandfather Clock C1920 Measures - 87 3/4" x 19" x 1...
Wood
Classic (OLD) Mid Century Modern "Ball" Clock / George Nelson / Howard Miller
By Howard Miller, George Nelson
Located in Buffalo, NY
An iconic Original Ball Wall Clock designed in 1947 by George Nelson Associates and produced by the Howard Miller Clock Company in Zeeland, Michigan. This early example features a ra...
Brass
Stunning Omega Art Deco Desk Clock c.1930s
By Omega
Located in Buffalo, NY
Very rare Art Deco desk clock with Art Nouveau applied numerals.Amazing design and quality. Manual winding 8 days movement.Tested and keeping time,, Case and movement signed Omega....
Brass, Chrome, Nickel
Monumental /Oversized Station / lobby NEON CLOCK mfg. by Electric Time Co.
By Electric Neon Clock Company
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental /Oversized Station / Lobby NEON CLOCK mfg. by Electric Time Co...Stunning example salvaged from Government Building Lobby.( TEXAS) Measuring nearly 4 feet in diameter,,Sle...
Metal
Milo Baughman for Directional Gentleman's Chest / Classic Modernist
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Modernist Chest designed by Milo Baughman for Directional, A mid century modern walnut tall chest on chest dresser armoire with black accents designed by Milo Baughman for Di...
Metal
19th Century French Marble and Bronze Tower Clock Face
Located in Buffalo, NY
19th Century French Marble and Bronze Tower Clock Face,,, Very unusual in that it has both Roman Numerals and Conventional numbers, (CAN NOT FIND ANOTHER) Newer wooden back recently...
Marble, Brass, Bronze
Classic Art Deco Neon Clock..
By Neon Clock Sales Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Classic Art Deco Neon Clock.. All original,, Tested ,, keeps perfect time.
Metal, Aluminum
