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.
Antique Wall Clock, Late 19th Century
Located in Chorzów, PL
The clock is functional, after the clockmaster review Year: The end of the 19th century Origin: Western Europe Dimensions: Height 133 cm / width 42 cm / depth 17 cm.
Oak
Goliath Single Fusee Dial Clock or Station Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
This giant single fusee dial clock would have been made for a public space like a railway station. Made By Swinden and Sons of Birmingham, it has a su...
Brass, Steel
Original Antique Gents of Leicester Kitchen Railway Station Wall Clock
By Smiths English Clock Systems
Located in Stockbridge, GB
Large Antique Wooden Gents of Leicester Station Wall Clock – A An original railway station clock manufactured by the British company Gents & Co Ltd of Leicester. The clock has a...
Metal
Mantel or Table Clock in Empire Style
Located in Vienna, AT
Mantel clock softwood decorated mahogany inlaid in light wood with flowers and foliage. White enameled clock face with Roman and Arabic numerals. Empire style, circa 1900. Measures...
Softwood
$907
H 3.5 in Dm 11.5 in
Antique French TOLE Clock Dial Face by Japy Freres, Industrial, Fully Working
By Japy Frères
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
Evoking the quiet poetry of abandonment, this early 20th century wall clock blends timeworn elegance with raw industrial character. Made from painted steel to mimic wood grain, the t...
Steel
Large 18" Industrial Cast Iron Railway / Factory Wall Clock, c.1920
Located in London, GB
A large cast iron wall clock. c.1920 Heavy duty two-part cast iron construction with metal hand painted dial featuring both roman numerals and 24 hour arabic numbers. The surround h...
Iron
Eureka Clock Company, London. Dial Clock
Located in Amersham, GB
A superb example of a Eureka wall clock made c1911. The electromagnetic movement is regulated by a large, slowly oscillating bi-metallic balance wheel, with the correct battery these clock will run for the duration of the battery life. Housed in a mahogany dial clock case with turned dial frame and brass bezel, the movement is visible through a cut out in the dial so the oscillation can be seen. The movement is numbered 5676 and stamped with the patent no 14614/1906 Made in England. The dial retains its original painted finish (cracked in places). This is the only model of wall clock Eureka made and is one of the rarer designs as they mostly concentrated on mantel clocks. The Eureka clock...
Brass, Copper, Steel
Antique Victorian quality French wall clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian quality French wall clock in an attractive walnut and agonised shaped case having a fantastic inlaid decorated ornate circular porcelain dial with the original hand...
Porcelain, Glass, Walnut
Fine quality antique Victorian mantle clock
Located in Ipswich, GB
Fine quality antique Victorian mantle clock, having a fine quality antique Victorian mantle clock with a black case with gilt metal columns to the side of the black dial with gold Ro...
Marble, Slate, Brass
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
