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Clocks, Watches/Questions
| Subject | Date Asked | Expert |
| Set Thomas Mantel Clock | 2/10/2012 | John Newman |
| Q: John, I have recently inherited a Seth Thomas mantel clock, wind-up, that scores Westminster's ... A: Doug, I am not familiar with the Seth Thomas model name "Simsbury 2W" name and the #5006" number you ... | ||
| ansonia mantel clock | 2/10/2012 | John Newman |
| Q: i have an ansonia mantel clock i dont know the model as the label in the back door is only part ... A: Wayne, Turn the minute hand until the clock strike the hour. Count the number of strikes. If the ... | ||
| CENTENNIAL PARLOR CLOCK S 1675 | 2/9/2012 | John Newman |
| Q: I have this clock above ( on face has DNA) and was wondering if you consider it a good clock? I have ... A: Linda, I believe the Centennial clock with DNA on the dial is an Asian 31 day clock. As far as ... | ||
| short shaft. long shaft | 2/9/2012 | Kenneth Saunders |
| Q: you have been helping me to figure out the part I need for clock. what you sent me was I need ... A: depends on how thick your dial is at the hole in the center. remove the old movement and measure ... | ||
| howard miller | 2/9/2012 | Steve Guthrie C.C. |
| Q: i have a Howard miller quartz clock that worked perfectly.. till one day is started chiming the ... A: If the hours are off consecutively, that is it strikes 2 at 5 then 3 at 6 and 4 at 7 for example, ... | ||
| 8" face dial | 2/8/2012 | Steve Guthrie C.C. |
| Q: I have a 120 Series, model 210 Grandmother clock made by Emperor, built in 1974. After a number of ... A: Normally with Emperor clocks the dial is held in place with 4 mounting posts that pin to the ... | ||
| waltham mantel clock | 2/8/2012 | Steve Guthrie C.C. |
| Q: I have a clock as above. it seems to be in good condition and runs good. it's missing the glass in ... A: Most local glass shops can cut a round or rectangular piece for you, if it's convex, it can be ... | ||
| Haller Grandaughter | 2/8/2012 | Michael Radi |
| Q: Hi .I have a Haller granddaughter clock 1910/1920s.Westminster chimes.The clock runs when the ... A: Good morning Mark, It could be any of several things. I'll give you a couple of ideas that I think ... | ||
| Hermle movement-follow up questions | 2/7/2012 | John Newman |
| Q: You are right, my movement is a high bridge model 451-050H. However, I am not sure from my old ... A: Colin, Are you referring to removing the hand from the old movement or the new one? Occasionally ... | ||
| Bulova manual. | 2/7/2012 | Kenneth Saunders |
| Q: I recently bought a second-hand Bulova mantel clock, which I've identified as a "Dorchester" B1814. ... A: http://store.howardmiller.com/wcsstore/HowardMillerPublicSite/Attachment/496978_r3_Mechanical_Wall_M ... | ||
| anniversary clocks | 2/7/2012 | John Newman |
| Q: I have a Koma anniversary clock that seems to work perfectly except the anniversary seems to fall ... A: Frank, there can be a number of reasons that a clock will not run the full duration of the intended ... | ||
| Welby suspension spring replacement | 2/7/2012 | Michael Radi |
| Q: I have a Welby floating balance mantle clock with a broken suspension spring. Is this spring ... A: You need a suspension spring for a 400 day clock. The spring should be straight and flat all the way ... | ||
| Emperor School Clock | 2/6/2012 | John Newman |
| Q: My clock movement has expired. It is numbered 2 78, 5927. Is a replacement possible? If not, and ... A: Glen. There are a few options here. Is it possible for you to send me a photo of the full front of ... | ||
| Clocks running/stopping irregularly | 2/6/2012 | Kenneth Saunders |
| Q: Kieninger PS 55 movement (seven day movement) The Initial problem I had was that when the clock was ... A: OK try the experiment again with the hammer first check that the hammer does not start to lift at ... | ||
| 1050-020 Speed Adjustment | 2/6/2012 | John Newman |
| Q: My Howard Miller 1050-020 clock runs a little too fast, do I adjust the speed using the "+ -" screw ... A: Chris, that is the one. If the balance wheel is functioning properly, the adjustment is broken down ... | ||
| Clocks running/stopping irregularly | 2/6/2012 | Kenneth Saunders |
| Q: Kieninger PS 55 movement (seven day movement) The Initial problem I had was that when the clock was ... A: my notes indicate the weights on the PS are supposed to be 6.9 for the left side gong strike and 8.8 ... | ||
| CLOCK WON'T STOP CHIMING | 2/6/2012 | William J Perkins |
| Q: I BOUGHT A OCTAGON SCHOOL HOUSE CLOCK, CASE LOOKS OLD BUT MOVEMENT LOOKS NEW, ANY WAY I DON'T KNOW ... A: I believe your problem might have a simple solution. For the present I will not offer any possible ... | ||
| Smiths 8day Mantel clock with floating balance - cleaning | 2/6/2012 | Kenneth Saunders |
| Q: 1. My friend has an English “Smiths” striking mantel clock ca 1958 that needs cleaning. 2. The ... A: the system only allows posting one photo- if you want to send the others to me at ... | ||
| interclock info | 2/6/2012 | Kenneth Saunders |
| Q: I have aquired a belgiam interclock grandfatherclock that is missing both side panels on the cabinet ... A: "would like to find the side panels" I do not think this will be possible. I do not know what ... | ||
| Welby suspension spring replacement | 2/5/2012 | Michael Radi |
| Q: I have a Welby floating balance mantle clock with a broken suspension spring. Is this spring ... A: Good morning Dave, Floating balances don't use a suspension spring. Suspension springs are used on ... | ||
| Franz Hermle Mantle Clock chimes | 2/4/2012 | Steve Guthrie C.C. |
| Q: I just purchased a Franz Hermle mantle clock at our local flea market. The price was right at $25 ... A: Buying a clock at a flea market is similar to buying a car at a salvage yard. There can be a lot of ... | ||
| Suspension spring gone | 2/4/2012 | Kenneth Saunders |
| Q: I have a Japy mantel clock. The crutch fork is working fine but there is no suspension spring to ... A: the upper adjustable block on the back of the movement is not familiar to me- Timesavers had about a ... | ||
| Susspension spring gone | 2/4/2012 | Kenneth Saunders |
| Q: I have a Japy mantel clock. The crutch fork is working fine but there is no suspension spring to ... A: http://www.timesavers.com/catalogmain2.asp?ProductID=11069&submit1=Search French suspension ... | ||
| Eletric timer | 2/4/2012 | John Newman |
| Q: I want to slow a timer on a dishwasher. We have low water pressure and the timer is not allowing ... A: Brian, this is not really in my field of clocks, but I used to be an electro-mechanical designer, so ... | ||
| Hermle movement substitute? | 2/4/2012 | Kenneth Saunders |
| Q: I have a Franz Hermle movement 350 - 20 and wonder if there are any substitutes or if I have to find ... A: a Hermle 350-020 is normally used in a table clock as it has no hanging pendulum or weights only a ... | ||
| ethan allen circa 1975 grandfather clock, model o8-3805, movement W serial number 3124 | 2/4/2012 | Steve Guthrie C.C. |
| Q: This clock has been sitting in our dining room in our house for 10 years. It was inherited from ... A: Ethan Allen clocks were made for sale by Ethan Allen by Ridgeway Clocks. From the age of the clock, ... | ||
| Colonial grandfather's clock | 2/2/2012 | Marilyn Bellotti |
| Q: Where might I obtain a pendulum for a Colonial Model 1724 Movement 132 and DIAL DR? Thanks, Tom ... A: I'm sorry that I just don't have enough information to answer this question. The pendulum length is ... | ||
| W.HAID 1050-020 | 2/2/2012 | Steve Guthrie C.C. |
| Q: THIS CLOCK IS IN GREAT SHAPE. I CLEANED IT UP AND GENTLY OILED IT. BUT IT LOSES TIME ABOUT 10 ... A: Your clock probably has the older style Hermle balance unit(see pic). Time is adjusted by holding ... | ||
| Missing numeral | 2/2/2012 | John Newman |
| Q: I read some of your repairs and was wondering if you happened to have from your parts a gold number ... A: Denese, dial numerals came in many different styles, colors and materials. Suppliers have very few ... | ||
| 1882 Ansonia Clock | 2/2/2012 | John Newman |
| Q: Just like the question from Tracy from 2/5/2009, I am having trouble setting my fabulous Ansonia ... A: Dawn, I have an Ansonia mantel clock, 1882, in my shop right now and it is a "safe-back" type, as ... | ||
| Won't strike or chime | 2/1/2012 | Steve Guthrie C.C. |
| Q: Sligh Grandfather clock. Movement 500-0029, back of movement Hermle 2061-853, 114cm/20. Clock ... A: On this type of Hermle movement, the strike hammers have a return spring that is meant to pull them ... | ||
| Tempus fugat wall clock | 2/1/2012 | Kenneth Saunders |
| Q: My clock is a Westminister chime wind up. Currently it is running a little fast. How do I slow it ... A: fugit -- latin for "flies" where we get fugitive from the motto is "time flies" or is ... | ||
| Won't strike or chime | 2/1/2012 | Steve Guthrie C.C. |
| Q: Sligh Grandfather clock. Movement 500-0029, back of movement Hermle 2061-853, 114cm/20. Clock ... A: Sometimes the chimes can get "cross-locked" if the chime selection is changed during a chime. Try ... | ||
| Enfield clock strikes 13 | 2/1/2012 | William J Perkins |
| Q: The clock is running beautifully on the chimes and the strike. Except every time it trys to strike 1 ... A: It could be either one. Most likely it is a lift and drop problem which could be corrected by ... | ||
| Enfield westminster strikes 13 | 2/1/2012 | Michael Radi |
| Q: The clock is running well and strikes all hours correctly except 1. !2 strikes as 12, then at 1 ... A: The part of the movement that controls the strike count are on the front of the movement. Correcting ... | ||
| Re: Schatz Royal Mariner Mainspring | 1/31/2012 | John Newman |
| Q: Would you or any of your contacts have the mainspring dimensions for a 1970's or so 4 jewel Schatz ... A: Steve, I have just found a possible answer in my Clocksmiths Internet Group Archives. One member ... | ||
| SETTING A CLOCK | 1/31/2012 | Steve Guthrie C.C. |
| Q: THE CLOCK HAS A QUARTZ MOVEMENT TOCHIGI TOKEI CO. LTD JAPAN NO JEWELLS, UNADJUSTED. IS THERE A ... A: Quartz movements should keep correct time once set with the time set stem on the movement. If they ... | ||
| Vesna Mantle Clock | 1/30/2012 | John Newman |
| Q: I can't seem to find anywhere that has these parts. Can you help me? Attached is the part I need. ... A: Nancy, I have checked and I cannot find any information on the platform escapement you have. I do ... | ||
| Vesna Mantle Clock | 1/30/2012 | William J Perkins |
| Q: I can't seem to find anywhere that has these parts. Can you help me? Attached is the part I need. ... A: Sorry, I have not the slightest ideas where you can find the part you need. This is a situation ... | ||
| Vesna Mantle Clock | 1/30/2012 | Michael Radi |
| Q: I can't seem to find anywhere that has these parts. Can you help me? Attached is the part I need. ... A: I don't know who would have these parts. It does not look like the Russian ships movements that have ... | ||
Clocks, Watches
Answers by Expert:
John Newman
Top Expert on this page
Expertise
As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.
Experience
One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.
Organizations
Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Committee
Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.
Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology
Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)
Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama)
Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)
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