Introduction

We believe that being honest is the best policy. Therefore if any questions you have are not answered here or elsewhere on our website then please ask.
 

Where do our clocks come from

We import all our clocks from  China. In order to keep our costs down we deal directly with the manufacturer and not through any distributor or importer. This means we can offer these clocks at such low prices. Our supplier was founded in 1915, so is an experienced manufacturer specialized in making all kinds of wood clocks and mechanical movements and is one of the largest clock manufacturer in China. They are also an ISO 9001 approved enterprise, who impose strict Quality Control on every product.

What are our clocks made of

All our clocks are made from solid wood. Then stained treated and polished to give them their colour and wood textured finished.

Who is behind Unicorn Kingdom

We are a small family business (Established 1999) which is run from our home but our stock is securely stored elsewhere. The business was set up mainly because we ourselves were looking for exactly what is offered here but couldn't find it for a reasonable price. In fact if you know of any other company in the United Kingdom who sell identical or similar items for less we would be very interested to here from you. Having recognised there was such a lack of choice we spent a lot of time seeking the best possible supplier and felt other people would be interested. We do not employ staff or have other overheads to pay for.

What about Quality

All the movements used in the manufacture of the clocks are made in the factory. Every part of the movement is tested to ensure that the movement works consistently and without failure. All movement components are tested by precision instruments before they are assembled into a movement which must pass a seven-day check before being used.  Every clock's movement, case and cover is tested eight times before being packed.  These strict production and quality controls mean we can guarantee high precision and reliable quality.
 
 

What do our clocks sound like

These clocks have simple chiming i.e. no special sounds. Westminster Chimes and such like are usually found on more expensive clocks.
 

What sort of movement do the clocks have

Our clocks have 31 day mechanical movements which are not driven by weights unless otherwise stated. Weight driven movements are found on more expensive clocks and may need resetting every 8 days.
 

How The Grandfather Clock Got Its Name

Over 100 years ago in Piercebridge, North Yorkshire, England, there was a charming traveller's haven known as the George Hotel.  The hotel was a routine stop for horse coaches and was managed by two bachelor brothers named Jenkins. In the lobby stood a floor clock, as they were called back in those days, that had been there for many years. One unusual characteristic on the old clock was that it kept very good time. This was uncommon, since in those days clocks were generally not noted for their accuracy. One day, one of the brothers died and suddenly the old clock started losing time. At first it lost 15 minutes per day but when several clocksmiths gave up trying to repair the ailing timepiece, it was losing more than an hour each day.

The clocks incurable problem became as talked about as its precision had been. Some said it was no surprise that, though fully wound, the old clock stopped when the surviving brother died at the age of ninety. The new manager of the hotel never attempted to have it repaired. He just left it standing in a sunlit corner of the lobby, its hands resting in the position they assumed the moment the last Jenkins brother died.

About 1875, an American songwriter named Henry Work happened to be staying at the George Hotel during a trip to England. He was told the story of the old clock and after seeing the clock for himself, decided to compose a song about the fascinating coincidence that the clock stopped forever the moment its elder owner passed away. Henry went back to America and published the lyrics that sold over a million copies of sheet music. These are the opening words of the first stanza:

"Oh my grandfather's clock was too tall for the shelf so it stood ninety years on the floor. It was taller by half than the old man himself, though it weighed no a pennyweight more..."

Until that time, clocks such as the one in the old George Hotel were referred to by a variety of names, but not before  Henry Work wrote his song, over a hundred years ago, were they referred to as grandfather clocks.