Expert: Martin Meyer - 11/8/2008

Question
When I wind the clock, The clock wont stop chiming until it has completely unwound. What could be wrong?

Answer
Hi Mark,

There are a number of possible causes of this problem, but one is most likely. "31 Day" movements are of Asian manufacture, usually Korean. Some of these movements have a common design weakness. When the clock strikes, the strike is concluded by a lever on the front movement plate dropping into position. This lever has a right-angle bend at its end which forms a sort of tab extending slightly inside the movement and, when it drops, stops the strike gears from turning further. This tab, under the repeated stress of stopping the moving gears, can weaken and break off. When this happens, there is nothing to stop the striking.

Parts for 31 Day clocks are generally not available, but it is possible for a professional clock repairer to repair this part. I would add, however, that many clock repairers prefer not to work on these movements because design-weakness problems such as this one are likely to reoccur, causing further problems for both the clock repairer and customer.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com