MANILA, Philippines - For a touch of Old World elegance in the home or office, nothing comes close to a classic grandfather clock. Stately, sturdy and enduring, the grandfather clock is more than a timepiece, it is a treasured heirloom passed on from one generation to the next.
In the Philippines, there is only one maker of this legacy timepiece: Adriano Clocks. Itself a classic enterprise, the Adriano brand of fine craftsmanship began a century ago in 1911, when master artisan Simplicio Adriano of Pampanga opened a furniture shop in Manila.
Today, the tradition continues in SAFM Enterprises, managed by Simplicio’s great-grandsons Alfred and Francis Adriano, who have specialized in the intricate art of clock making.
SAFM’s best-selling clock is the Raga 50. Measuring nearly seven feet tall, this elegant floor clock is designed in the French provincial style, one of the most desired furniture styles in the world.
It features a beautifully hand-carved crown and legs. The polished brass dial includes ornate corner spandrels with the center disc showing a stationary blue-moon phase that is visible behind the glass panel.
The precise clock movement, manufactured by Hermle of Germany, is chain-driven and produces the Westminster chime during quarterly and hourly strikes.
The cabinet is made of Philippine hardwood and comes in mahogany, dark walnut and light walnut finishes.
SAFM also produces a tabletop replica, the Aga 60, that has all of the full-sized grandfather clock’s features, including hardwood cabinet, brass weight décor, swinging pendulum and Westminster chime. This mini clock makes an ideal corporate gift.
For inquiries, call 747-3281 or 0905-276-4288, or e-mail adriano.grandfather.clocks@gmail.com.