My first exposure to chime clocks came in the early 1950's when we regularly visited my grandmother Christi in downtown Long Beach. She had a beautiful mantel clock that chimed each quarter hour. As children we would count the hour strikes and she would let us wind it with her key. One day I read the name on the face and asked who Howard Miller was. Grandma said he was a very famous clock maker in Michigan and the clock was very special because it had been given to her as a gift from her father. After her death the clock was inherited by my uncle Gene who recently gave it to her daughter, my cousin Carol. She reports that the clock has become one of her most prized possessions and still chimes each quarter and keeps perfect time.

In 1978 my passion for clocks began to develop. That year a friend and prominent watch maker in our community opened a specialty clock shop next to us. My favorite time to visit my friend was at the "top of the hour" when more than 40 grandfather, mantel, and wall clocks chimed together. In shopping for my first grandfather clock the old watch maker four pieces of advice I have never forgotten.

1. Although he handled many brands, he firmly believed Howard Miller was the finest clock in the world.



2. Try to select from the Howard Miller limited edition and numbered collections whenever possible. They become collectors and are more sought after as family heirlooms.



3. All Howard Miller grandfather clocks contain the famous Kieninger solid brass movement from the Black Forest of Germany. These movements are without question the finest in the world and will provide decades of trouble free service.



4. Unlike the many limited life products we purchase, a fine quality Howard Miller clock will surround our family with beauty, music, and the correct time even when the power goes out! Over time it will increase in value and be passed down through the generations. A grandfather clock becomes an old trusted friend of the family, a stately patriarch full of integrity, beauty and harmony, ever vigilant and faithful in keeping track of our time and the lunar phases of the moon.

By now I hope you can feel the excitement, enthusiasm and passion we feel for Howard Miller clocks. In 1988 we founded the Parke Diamond Company and were fortunate to become a Howard Miller dealer and a service center shortly thereafter. My sons now sell them with us and we feel it a great honor and privilege to represent Howard Miller to our friends. We sell and service them with great pride! The purchase of a Howard Miller grandfather, wall, or mantel clock is truly a wonderful lifetime family gift, an investment that can be enjoyed for generations.

Yours Truly,
Kent Parke
Parke Diamond Company
St. George, Utah