Expert: David Morgan - 5/4/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hello David,
My parents have a Ridgeway triple chime, moon dial grandfather clock made in 1977. Original paperwork states clock has a GW movement imported from West Germany's Black Forest. Four years ago the clock was repaired by a clock repair person who works out of his home.  My parents paid $260. to have the movement "cleaned and oiled". The man picked up the movement and had it for about a week or so. The clock is running fine, thats not an issue.  Problem is - and I JUST NOTICED THIS - there is a gap between the moondial and the wood arch of the clock.  The number 6 on the dial is sitting behind and below where it should be so that when the minute hand gets to 6 it just about touches the wood.  This set off a red flag that perhaps movement was replaced and not repaired. I took off the side door and movement appears to be very, very clean considering it is supposed to be over 30 years old. It almost seems movement is a little smaller than it should be (not as tall). Back of movement has UW 32049 (I think). Do you think this is a replacement movement?  Thanks very much.

ANSWER: Hi Pat,Ridgeway used Urgos movements that were made in the US using American factory standards. Some time in the 1980s the factory producdion ended while the German factory started all production. There was serious production problems and movements were not available for several years. In the meantime Ridgeway continued production of these Tripple chime clocks using  a different movement. Clock repair shops started replacing the movements rather than rebuilding the movements. During this period Ridgeway produced a few clocks that had fitup problems. It is possible that your clock had fitup problems when it was new, this is a problem that we will never have an answer for. Best of luck David M

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QUESTION: David, thank you for your reply. I realize without seeing the movement in person it is difficult to say if it was replaced. But the clock was made prior to the 1980s and dial mask fit properly prior to repair. Could you please tell me this: would cleaning and oiling a 30 year old movement make it sparkling clean and looking brand new?  It doesn't seem likely, but then again, I don't know what is used to clean a clock movement. Thank you very much.

Answer
Hi Pat, The movements were liquored to keep from tarnishing at the factory. When serviced the cleaning machines and cleaning solutions remove the lacquer and leave the movements looking scaly and covered with lacquer flakes. If your movement was serviced as you describe it would not look like yours. Most shops replaced rather than rebuild movements. I can say that the original movements fit perfect. My best guess is that your was replaced. Best of luck David M