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The drop dial clock is just a variation of the dial clock but with a larger back box to accommodate a longer pendulum. They don't really need to have a category of their own but because dial clocks are plentiful and very collectible, many collectors will have one of each.

Usually the exposed front of the back box has a glazed window through which the pendulum can be seen swinging. A great many of these apertures are shaped and fitted with a brass frame. And carved 'ears' are often fixed to the lower part of the dial bezel where it meets the back box.

English drop dial clocks are very collectable especially those with fusée movements, which seem to be more common in English drop dials than ordinary English dial clocks. But beware the American drop dials; there's nothing wrong with them but the movements are inferior in every possible respect so you would not want to pay the price of an English drop dial for one of those. I mention this because there are probably more American drop dials on the market than English ones so check the dial closely for US names such as Ansonia, Ingraham, New Haven, Seth Thomas, Waterbury. Of just look for the words 'Made in the United States of America'. All these clocks are fine for telling the time but they can sound like a bag of spanners when they strike the hour! It's normal, so don't try to oil or grease them to make them quieter. And especially don't try separating the plates until you've securely tied up the mainsprings or you could cause untold damage to the clock and also to your hands and face.

English drop dials, on the other hand, have sublime movements by comparision; carefully machined hand-cut wheels engage with solid steel pinions allow them to run smoothly and quietly. But the vast majority of English drop dials are timepieces; that is, they have just one train so do not strike on the hour.

English dials often give the name of the retailer rather than the actual maker but sometimes the maker's name will appear and that generally is the sign of a good clock. However, some unscrupulous people will try to add value by having a name added when the iron dial is restored so you need to remain wary. If yours has a name on the dial, I suggest only limited restoration and preserviing it; avoid completely repainting the dial and name as it will detract from the value.

Repair costs are the same as dial clocks, £75 for simple timepieces, and £100 for strikers and fusée timepieces. For that I will strip the movement to clean it piece by piece, check for wear and the correct engagement of parts, rebush up to two pivot holes if needed, oil it and set it in beat. Of course, the usual 12 month guarantee applies to all paid for work.

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