Hermle vs Howard Miller Clocks: What’s the Difference?
Hermle vs Howard Miller Clocks: What’s the Difference?
Hermle and Howard Miller are two of the most recognized names in traditional clocks. Both are respected by collectors and buyers, but they are not the same type of company. Understanding the difference can help you choose the right clock for your home, office, collection, or gift.
What is Hermle?
Hermle is a German clockmaker known for mechanical clock movements and finished clocks. Hermle produces many types of clocks, including mantel clocks, wall clocks, floor clocks, regulators, cuckoo clocks, ship’s bell clocks, and weather stations.
Hermle is especially known for German mechanical movements, traditional clockmaking, and high-quality designs. Many new Hermle clocks are still made with classic mechanical features such as key-wound movements, Westminster chimes, triple chime options, moon phase dials, pendulums, and automatic night shut-off.
What is Howard Miller?
Howard Miller is an American clock company known for a wide variety of wall clocks, mantel clocks, grandfather clocks, table clocks, and decorative clocks. Howard Miller has produced many highly collectible models over the years, including clocks with mechanical movements, quartz movements, chimes, moon phases, and premium wood cases.
Many vintage Howard Miller mechanical clocks used German movements from respected movement makers such as Hermle or Kieninger. This is one reason collectors often pay close attention to the movement inside a Howard Miller clock.
Is Hermle better than Howard Miller?
It depends on what you are looking for.
Hermle may be the better choice if you want a new German-made clock with a current factory warranty, traditional mechanical movement options, and direct connection to German clockmaking.
Howard Miller may be the better choice if you want a classic American clock brand, a vintage collectible model, a distinctive case style, or a specific discontinued clock that is no longer made.
Both brands can be excellent. The best choice depends on the clock’s movement, condition, age, design, features, and whether you want new or vintage.
Why do some Howard Miller clocks have Hermle movements?
Many clock companies used movements made by specialist movement manufacturers. A Howard Miller clock may have a case, dial, and brand identity from Howard Miller while using a German mechanical movement made by Hermle.
This is very common in the clock world. The movement is the engine of the clock, while the case and overall design may come from the brand selling the finished clock.
For buyers, this can be a positive thing. A vintage Howard Miller clock with a Hermle movement can offer the appeal of a respected American clock brand combined with a German mechanical movement.
New Hermle clocks vs vintage Howard Miller clocks
A new Hermle clock is often a good choice for someone who wants:
A new clock
Factory warranty when applicable
Current-production model
German clockmaking
Mechanical or quartz options
Clean, gift-ready condition
Less uncertainty than a vintage clock
A vintage Howard Miller clock is often a good choice for someone who wants:
A discontinued collectible model
Classic American design
A unique wood case
Mechanical movement charm
Potential collector value
A clock with history and character
Which brand is better for collectors?
Collectors often like both. Some collectors prefer Hermle because of the German movements and traditional clockmaking. Others prefer Howard Miller because of specific discontinued models, case designs, and the strong collector market around certain vintage clocks.
For example, some Howard Miller mantel, wall, and bracket clocks are desirable because they are no longer produced and feature premium movements, triple chimes, moon phase dials, or distinctive casework.
Which brand is better for gifts?
For a gift, a new Hermle clock can be a safer choice because it is new, clean, current-production, and may include a factory warranty when stated in the listing.
A vintage Howard Miller clock can also make a wonderful gift, especially for someone who loves antiques, traditional decor, mechanical clocks, or collectible American clock brands. However, vintage mechanical clocks should be purchased with an understanding that they may require careful setup and occasional maintenance.
What should you look for before buying?
When comparing Hermle and Howard Miller clocks, look for:
Brand
Model number
Movement type
Mechanical or quartz operation
Chime type
Condition
Whether it has been tested or serviced
Warranty details
Dimensions
Shipping method
Included accessories such as key, pendulum, weights, or paperwork
For vintage clocks, condition and function are extremely important. For new clocks, warranty, authorized seller status, and shipping details are important.
Final thoughts
Hermle and Howard Miller both have strong reputations in the clock world. Hermle is closely tied to German clockmaking and mechanical movement production. Howard Miller is a famous American clock brand with many collectible vintage and modern designs.
If you want a new clock with factory backing, Hermle is an excellent choice. If you want a discontinued collectible clock with character and history, a vintage Howard Miller may be the perfect fit.
At Just a Clock Collector, we offer new Hermle clocks as an authorized seller, along with carefully selected vintage clocks from Howard Miller, Seth Thomas, Sligh, Hermle, New England Clock Co., Comitti, Stickley, and other respected makers.