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The History of the Seth Thomas Clock
By Charles Wilkinson

The Seth Thomas Clock Company claims to be the oldest established clock maker in the United States, dating back to 1813. Seth Thomas clocks are amongst the most recognized and most respected makers of clocks in the world. They are available at department stores, gift and novelty shops, as well as many home fashion retail stores that are located both in the United States and around the world.

Early Beginnings

Seth Thomas, the founder of the company, was born in 1785, in the small town of Wolcott, Connecticut. At the age of 22 he started working for clockmaker Eli Terry, eventually buying out the business from his boss in 1810. He expanded three years later with the acquisition of another clock maker and really started making a name for himself throughout New England. Shortly before his death, the Seth Thomas Clock Company was incorporated.

Product Lines Over the Years

During its early years, with Seth Thomas personally running the company, the product line was kept simple. Thomas was a big believer in doing one thing and doing it right. He was one of the pioneers of mass production and was able to produce a large number of clocks without sacrificing on quality. It was the Seth Thomas grandfather clocks that began to give the young industrialist a reputation for producing well-crafted timepieces.

After his death, many other styles were added to the product line by his sons. Regulator clocks, spring driven clocks and perpetual calendar clocks were only some of the new product ideas produced in the 19th century. The 20th century brought more new clock technology such as, tambour clocks, chime clocks and electric clocks.

The 21st Century and Beyond

The Colibri Group acquired the Seth Thomas Clock Company in 2001. Today, clocks baring the Seth Thomas brand continue to be highly sought after. Its line of products include mechanical clocks, music and motion clocks, furniture clocks, mantel clocks, desk and table clocks, alarm clocks and nautical clocks.

The famous four-faced tower clock that currently sits atop the information booth in Grand Central Station, in New York City, was produced by the company. The clock's faces are made of pure opal. The current value of the clock today is estimated to be over ten million dollars. Both high quality and contemporary design makes Seth Thomas clocks one the industry leaders in the 21st century.

Author Details:
Charles Wilkinson, copywriter for various web sites about clocks & watches including The A to Z of and information junkies.

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