Our History
Frank's
interests in clocks began at the age of 10. He got his start by helping
a neighborhood clock maker and was taught the basics of clock
restoration. Later in life, Frank received his formal training in
Horology by attending Gem City College of Watch/Clock Making of Quincy,
Illinois. He now specializes in mechanical and antique clock/watch
restoration. He has been working in the field for over 25 years.
This Horologists carries on a tradition which goes back hundreds of years,
nurtured by the apprenticeship system in which a master shares and
passes on his knowledge, thus perpetuating the craft from generation to
generation.
Eastern Standard Clock Company relocated to
Purcellville in 1995. Since then the business has flourished under the
guidance of these two master horologists. The clock shop has grown to
become an integral and familiar part of western Loudoun County,
Virginia and is well known for providing unhurried and uncompromising
craftsmanship, expertise, and service.
Since there is a constant
backlog year around, we ask that our customers be willing to wait
several months to have the work done and to allow for proper testing
and adjusting of your clock.
We feel it is an important task for
us to educate the owners of fine clocks as to the damage and loss of
value that is done by careless and incompetent so-called "experts" who
set up shop with little or no training and who literally charge
customers for the privilege of practicing on their clocks!
The
truth of the matter is that anyone can declare themselves a clock maker
or repairer. We know, because we are confronted with the damaged
inflected by these so called "clock makers" on a daily basis. Usually
this damage occurs when a clock owner thought they could get the job
done "on-the-cheap"! Unfortunately, this results in extensive repairs
and sometimes replacement of wheels, wheel teeth, pinions, main springs
and other parts. This type of damage will result in the devaluation of
the piece.
There are no standards or licensing arrangements set
up to protect the public as there are for other trades and professions.
Beware of people who list letters after their name indicating
membership in collectors' organizations. Such associations are open to
anyone who pays the membership fee, and who has an interest in clock
collecting. However, membership confers no qualifications whatever and
the implication that it does is very misleading.
We estimate
that fifty percent of our work consists of undoing this kind of
avoidable damage. The customers ultimately find themselves in the
position of having to pay several times what it would have cost if
they'd had the job done properly the first time.
And, realize
that good craftsmanship requires proper workshop facilities, security,
complete and well maintained machinery, and, above all, craftsmen who
have earned the right to realistic compensation for restoring your
precious heirloom clocks. Remember, clocks are the only mechanisms
still operating many hundreds of years after being made. They are
living testimony to man's ingenuity and integrity. They are the
earliest examples of automation and the precursors of many of today's
conveniences that we take for granted.
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| Frank Palasciano, Owner. Master Clockmaker |
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