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 Brown Wooden Wall Clock from Seth Thomas, 1980s
By Seth Thomas Clock Company
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Wall clock produced by Seth Thomas Clock Company in USA during the 1980s. It features a brown wooden veneered clockface and aluminium hands. The piece has been converted into a batte...
Aluminum
$1,795
H 12 in W 12 in D 2 in
Vintage Mid-Century Modern Seth Thomas Wall Clock "Candid" Model E326-004.
Located in Seattle, WA
This vintage wall clock by Seth Thomas exemplifies the clean, sculptural aesthetic of mid-century modern design. Known as the "Candid" model (E326-004), it features a large circular ...
Brass
$1,026Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.89 in W 25.6 in D 7.09 in
Antique Gustav Becker Wall Clock, Oak Case, Interwar Period
Located in Opole, PL
Antique wall clock from the interwar Period We present you a wall clock placed in an oak case with a glazed elliptical lid, which protects the c...
Oak
$1,629
H 31.3 in W 15.75 in D 3.94 in
Antique Arts and Crafts Oak Wall Clock Eight Day Striking Movement Brass Numeral
Located in Suffolk, GB
A very attractive Arts and Crafts oak wall clock with a strong, honest design typical of the period. The circular solid oak dial has a rich colour and grain, set with applied brass n...
Oak
Early Mid-century "Plaza" E931-003 Wall Clock in Walnut by Seth Thomas
By Seth Thomas Clock Company
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Early Mid-Century model "Plaza" E931-003 Wall Clock by Seth Thomas featuring a walnut frame with a distinctive dome shape and brass accents, echoing the minimalist style of the 1950s...
Walnut
Art deco elm wall clock by Zenith
By Zenith
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Art deco shaped wall clock by zenith circa 1930. Well known art deco swiss made wall clock retailed by heal’s in the 1930’s. Convex shaped round clock face with moulded edge. Decora...
Brass
Arts and Crafts Oak Cased Mantel Clock
Located in Norwich, GB
Arts and Crafts oak cased mantel clock. Two columns with brass capitals support either side of the dial with brass inlay decoration to the front panel. Copper dial with Arabic nu...
Oak
Antique Mahogany Drop Dial Wall Clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Mahogany Drop Dial Wall Clock, having a quality mahogany circular glazed door opening to reveal a painted dial with original hands and an 8 day movement above a drop case wit...
Mahogany
Walnut and Copper Wall Clock C.1920
Located in Kingsbridge, GB
Walnut and Copper Wall Clock C.1920. The clock is in practically mint original condition, has been fully serviced and tested and is in perfect working condition. The clock runs on ...
Walnut
Vintage Mid Century Modern Handmade Solid Wood Clock with Gold Color
Located in Seattle, WA
The vintage handmade clock features a square wooden frame with a rich, dark brown finish, showcasing a smooth, polished surface with visible wood grain. The clock face is crafted fro...
Metal
