Sometimes there is confusion amongst antique clocks when different books and experts call the same type of clock by different names due to trade customs or geographical differences. A "Bracket clock" in England may be referred to as a "Shelf clock" or a "Mantle clock" by a dealer in the United States.

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.

Advertising clocks is a collective term used for clocks for promotional reasons which show advertising somewhere on the clock case or dial. The clock may also be used as a portion of the advertising, such as when a clock is integrated into a bigger sign. Most often found as shelf or wall clocks, or more rarely as Long-case or 'Grandfather' clocks, these are wonderful antique wall clocks.

Human beings are fascinated by time, and the passage of time. It is that deep interest that has led to seemingly mundane inventions such as the alarm clock. People's need to measure time and use time have led to technological advances over 6 millenia.

The first mechanical clocks did not have pendulums. It is likely that they were created by central European monks in the late 1200s and were used in their churches. They tolled on the hour, but their faces lacked dials and hands.

These mechanical devices were probably placed in the church belfry in order to make use of the existing church bell. It was over 100 years before visible dials and hands were added. These early clocks were very large and were made of heavy iron frames and gears forged by the local blacksmiths. By the first part of the fifteenth century, small domestic clocks started to appear. They were probably made by the local gunsmiths or locksmiths. These antique clocks are very expensive.