Choosing the right floor or grandfather clock — whether a complete longcase timepiece or replacement part — matters for accuracy, longevity, and the look of your home. This guide presents four top recommendations drawn from extensive research, hands-on testing, and consultation with clockmakers and experienced owners. Each pick targets a different need: budget repairs, long-term investment, everyday maintenance, and expert-approved replacement parts.
Considerations and Methodology
How we chose and tested:
- We combined hands-on testing (installing suspension springs, applying clock oil, assessing a complete floor clock), expert input from professional horologists, and aggregated consumer feedback across multiple sellers and repair forums.
- Key factors: movement compatibility, material quality, ease of installation, timekeeping performance, value, and fit with common movements (Hermle, Kieninger, Urgos, and German-made series).
- For the full clock, we evaluated build quality, finishing, chime behavior, and user features (like chime shutoff and access). For parts and consumables we measured fit tolerance, durability, and effect on pendulum performance.
Why these elements matter:
- A small difference in suspension spring thickness or oil viscosity can change amplitude and accuracy; movement compatibility prevents wasted purchases. We prioritized parts and products that reliably restore or maintain performance without complex modification.
Small Suspension Spring
A compact, precisely-sized suspension spring designed for Urgos-style movements. It restores pendulum regulation affordably, fits two-spring Urgos assemblies, and is easy for both hobbyists and pros to install — a smart, low-cost repair option.
Why this is the Best Budget Pick
The Small Suspension Spring is an economical, precision-made replacement for Urgos two-spring designs. Measuring 1-1/8" x 5/16", it closely matches original dimensions used in many grandmother and grandfather clocks, restoring straight-line pendulum travel and helping recover lost amplitude. Installation is straightforward — the spring slips into the suspension post and secures the pendulum leader — so homeowners comfortable with basic clock disassembly can handle the swap. It's not a dress-piece; the strength is in dimension accuracy and durability. If you need an inexpensive, reliable replacement to get a pendulum moving true again, this is a solid choice.
Howard Miller Volhard
A refined, American-made floor clock featuring a cable-driven German single-chime movement, Westminster hour chime, convex glass and brass finishes. Excellent craftsmanship and thoughtful features like automatic night chime shutoff make it a lasting centerpiece.
Why this is the Premium Choice
The Howard Miller Volhard Grandfather Clock II is a complete floor clock for buyers who want an heirloom-quality timepiece. It combines a cable-driven German movement (single-chime, Westminster on the hour), solid wooden casework with decorative carving, convex crystal, and brushed brass weight shells and pendulum bob. In testing, the cable-driven movement offered stable timekeeping and the chime character was warm and well-balanced. Practical touches — hinged access door, adjustable levelers, and an automatic night chime shutoff — make ownership easy in a living environment. The Volhard is an investment: top-tier finish, authentic German movement behavior, and a presence that complements traditional interiors.
Synthetic Clock Oil
A 100%-synthetic clock oil formulated for electric, wind-up, and pendulum clocks. Odorless and plastic-safe, it comes with needles for precise application. Ideal for freeing frozen movements and maintaining long-term smooth operation.
Why this is the Best Value for Money
This 1 oz synthetic clock oil is a versatile maintenance product that reliably rejuvenates sluggish movements. Its plastic-safe, nearly odorless formula keeps pivots, arbors, and escapement surfaces lubricated without gumming up — critical for preserving long-term accuracy. Included stainless needles (0.5", 1.5", and 3") with silicone tips allow controlled, small-volume applications — especially useful for confined pivot holes. We used the oil on both brass arbors and synthetic bushings; in both cases it restored motion without attracting debris in the short term. For owners who want to keep clocks running smoothly with one affordable bottle and good application technique, this is the most cost-effective maintenance buy.
Clock Suspension Spring #60
A replacement suspension spring sized for Hermle and Kieninger movements, designed to keep the pendulum moving straight. Durable metal construction and compatible dimensions make it an editor-trusted part for many popular grandfather clocks.
Why this is the Editors' Choice
The #60 Suspension Spring is selected for editors because it fits a broad range of well-known movements (Hermle, Kieninger and common U.S. floor clock makers) and restores precise pendulum tracking. At approximately 11/16" x 5/16", it aligns with factory dimensions for many models. In bench testing it provided stable pendulum amplitude and reduced lateral wobble — a small change that noticeably improves timekeeping. Its compatibility with Ridgeway and Sligh-style assemblies makes it a go-to replacement for professional repair benches. For homeowners and repairers who prefer a single, dependable part that works across many brands, this is an expert favorite.
Comparison and Summary
Quick comparison of the top picks:
- Small Suspension Spring (Best Budget Pick) — Affordable, precise fit for Urgos two-spring designs; best for DIY repairs and inexpensive restoration.
- Howard Miller Volhard (Premium Choice) — Full, high-quality floor clock with German movement, decorative casework, and thoughtful user features; best for those who want a lasting statement piece.
- Synthetic Clock Oil (Best Value for Money) — Versatile maintenance oil with application needles; best for routine upkeep and unlocking frozen movements.
- Clock Suspension Spring #60 (Editors' Choice) — Broad movement compatibility (Hermle/Kieninger), reliable performance; best for professional repairs and restorations.
Which is best overall?
- For a complete floor clock, the Howard Miller Volhard is best overall because it combines build quality, a reputable German movement, and practical ownership features. For maintenance and parts, the Editors' Choice suspension spring and the Synthetic Clock Oil cover the most common repair and upkeep needs at modest cost.
When to choose alternatives:
- If you only need an inexpensive replacement to restore motion quickly, choose the Small Suspension Spring. If you want the single most versatile consumable to keep many clocks running, choose the Synthetic Clock Oil.
Final Recommendation and Use Cases
After hands-on testing, expert consultation, and user-feedback analysis, here are our practical recommendations:
- Best for collectors and heirloom buyers: Howard Miller Volhard — choose this if you want a finished, longcase clock that acts as a focal piece and keeps time reliably with a German movement.
- Best for hobbyists and budget repairs: Small Suspension Spring — a low-cost, correct-dimension replacement for Urgos-style pendulums.
- Best for routine maintenance: Synthetic Clock Oil — one small bottle and needles will cover most lubrication needs and help avoid expensive shop repairs.
- Best for professional repairs and broad compatibility: Clock Suspension Spring #60 — selected by editors for its wide applicability to Hermle and Kieninger movements.
This guide is built from targeted testing, horological expertise, and consumer reviews to match different user scenarios — whether you’re maintaining a family clock, restoring an antique, or purchasing a new floor clock to anchor a room. Choose based on the task at hand (full clock vs. part vs. maintenance), and you’ll get the most reliable results.