The same antique clocks may be called various names by different experts depending on what region of the world they live in, which can get really confusing. For example, what the British call a "bracket clock" is actually identical to what American dealers call "shelf clocks" or "mantle clocks."

The main categories of antique clocks can also be further broken down into subcategories. For instance, within the broad category of "Beehive" clocks there may also be found subcategories such as a "Gothic" beehive or a "Ripple" beehive. Some may the subdivide the broad category of "Drop trunk" clocks into finer distinctions, such as "Schoolhouse" clocks, "Act of Parliament" clocks, "Wall regulators", "Tavern" clocks, "Short drop", "Octagon drop", and so forth.

When a clock face or casing is used to promote advertisements they are commonly called advertising clocks. Sometimes a clock may be used for advertising by including it in a larger sign. Long-case or 'Grandfather' clocks are a rarity in this form of advertising, while wall or shelf clocks are more common. These are all wonderful examples of antique wall clocks.

Humanity has long recognized time passing, and long ago endeavored to measure and track that passage. The clock on your wrist, on the wall, or beside your bed wouldn't be here at all if people hadn't spent the past thousands of years crafting timepieces.

The very first early mechanical clocks, which didn't have pendulums, were developed in the last half of the thirteenth century, probably by monks from central Europe, and were placed within the church. They did not have dials or hands and only struck bells on the hour.

Clocks were originally placed in the church belfry to utilize the church bell. These iron clocks were created by local blacksmiths and were very heavy and large. It took more than a century before a clock as we know it was invented, one with hands and dials. By early in the fifteen century, small clocks for home use became available which were likely fashioned by gunsmiths or locksmiths. These early antique clocks are very valuable.