Clock Power Sources

There are three typical power sources used in clocks:

• the pull of hanging weights
• spring; a coiled spring unwinds
• an electrically-driven motor

Original lantern, longcase and other wall clocks were weight-driven, whereas bracket, carriage, mantel, skeleton, novelty and some wall clocks used a spring. Electric clocks began to appear in the late Victorian period, but mainly date from the 20th century.