#clock servicing

It is uncommon for a mechanical clock to run 25, 30 years or more with nothing more done to it other than the occasional oiling. I recently received a letter from someone who had taken his clock to a repair shop, where he was quoted a high price (in my view) for the repair and told that the clock would be guaranteed for 30 years. I wonder if the repair shop would be prepared to honour that…

New owners of an antique or vintage clock might find it surprising that their recent purchase requires periodic maintenance. This realization often dawns upon them only when the clock stops, and they struggle to get it running again. This Junghans wall clock, C.1899 is a daily runner In this discussion, we explore regular clock maintenance, underscoring the importance of continuous inspection…

If you’ve acquired a clock as a gift, through inheritance, from antique shopping, online purchases, or any other means, and it’s not functioning correctly, you have several choices in having it repaired. Seth Thomas Adamantine mantel clock, C.1909 You might decide to try fixing the clock yourself, especially if it’s a simple or inexpensive clock. Basic tools and some luck might help with minor…

Should mainsprings be routinely replaced on an antique clock when servicing?

A mainspring’s purpose is to provide motive power for the wheels to move in a clock train. All mechanical clocks require a power source and the power source may be by weight or spring. Mechanical clocks that have mainsprings will have one, two, or three winding points which, once wound provide power for a clock’s designed cycle. Each winding point or arbour is located on the dial face and…

Servicing a Seth Thomas 8-day movement

A marriage of Waterbury and Seth Thomas I was attracted to the style of this clock but disappointed when I learned that it was a marriage of a Waterbury case with a Seth Thomas movement. Briefly, a marriage is when parts from two different makers come together. Buying a clock from a flea market, antique mall, a shop or what have you is always a gamble. On this particular clock there is no…

A marriage of two makers, Waterbury and Seth Thomas

This clock is an antique store find not too far from where I live. It was high on a shelf and the price was not visible. I asked the shopkeeper to take it down so that I could check the price ($40) and verify that it had a mechanical movement. Seth Thomas cabinet clock? I opened the back panel, quickly glanced at the movement and the trademark stamp appeared to be Ansonia. I had worked on an…