Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 1/21/2008

Question
QUESTION: Dear Kenneth,

My wife and received a Bulova Dorchester Mantle Clock (B1814) for Christmas and we love it.  It chime on the quarter hour (4, 8, 12 & 16 chimes as well as hour count).  We are wondering if there is a way to just have the chime on the hour and not every 15 minutes (other than not winding the chime arbor when it runs down :)).

Thanks for your help.
Bryce

ANSWER: not winding the chime arbor will stop all the sound.
need to know what movement is in the clock--perhaps the back brass plate of the movement has the makers'name and part numbers so I can help further?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Kenneth,
The brass plate on the back has the following:
Two (2) Jewels
Unadjusted
Made in Germany
Bulova Watch Comp, Inc
340-020A.
I can email you a picture if that would help.

Answer
the only way to stop the Westminster chime on the quarters is to reversibly alter the mechanism. The back of the movement has 3 round gears on the back left side. If you remove the "E" clip holding the smallest center gear on its shaft with the tip of a small screwdriver- turn the gear over and put it back on the shaft and replace the clip with a pair of small pliers (or leave the gear and clip off entirely)