Expert: Martin Meyer - 1/4/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello Martin
I would like to ask you about the available of the pendulum 's length of Hermle movement.
At the present , i see the advertising of the seller that The Hermle movement 451-050-85 can available with other length of pendulum (85,94 or 114 cm). I don't understand that simple chance this wooden stick of pendulum  by another or the seller will choose another movement which is matched with the length of  pendulum (which was choose by buyer) .
I ask you because i  change the movement of grandfather (451-050-85) by another (451-050-94)but i use the pendulum of 451-050-85 (because the hight of wooden case can 't use the pendulum of 451-050-94). The result is the clock run very fast.I tried to adjust the nut of the end of pendulum but it don't effect much.
How can i do to fix this problem
Waiting your help
Regards
Tran

ANSWER: Hi Tran,

The pendulum length is what determines how fast the clock runs. Every movement is geared to work with a particular pendulum length, and other pendulum lengths cannot be substituted.

The Hermle 451-050 movement is made in three versions, 85cm, 94cm and 114cm. The gears in these three movements are different, and only the correct pendulum will work in each one.

If the original movement in your clock was a 451-050/85, then you must use a replacement movement that is also a 451-050/85, unless you also change the pendulum. As you state that the 94cm pendulum will not fit in your clock, you must use a 451-050/85 movement with your original 85cm pendulum. There is no modification which you can do to the 451-050/94 movement to make it work properly with the 85cm pendulum. http://www.clockmasteronline.com

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QUESTION: Hello Martin
To day, I would like to ask you about the dial of Urgos movement.
I see online, there are a lots of Urgos movement but i can not find any information regarding the dials which can fit with urgos movement.Can I use the dial of Hermle movement  (451 or 1151) for them ?Where can I order the Urgos 's dial online (website).
Thanks you for help
Regards
Tran

ANSWER: Hi Tran,

New Urgos dials are not available. Your only chance would be to find an old or used dial, possibly on an auction site.

A Hermle dial will not fit an Urgos movement, because the dial feet will not match the holes in the movement front plate. As long as the movement you are using is a chain drive, it is sometimes possible to adapt a Hermle dial for use with an Urgos movement. This is not possible with cable drive movements because the three winding holes will not line up with the winding arbors (shafts) on the movement.

To use a Hermle dial with an Urgos movement, it will be necessary to break off the dial feet and then mount the dial to the back of the dial frame, instead of to the movement. This can be done with small screws, staples or two-sided tape at the edges of the dial. You must also be very careful to ensure that the movement is aligned properly with the dial so that the hand shaft will come through the center hole of the dial once the movement is mounted. The Urgos movement will have a different dimension from the bottom of the plates (where the movement will sit on the seatboard) to the hand shaft. Therefore, you will have to adjust the height of the movement, either by using shims between the movement and the seatboard (if the movement must go higher to align the hand shaft with the dial center hole), or somehow lower the seatboard (if the movement must go lower to align with the dial hole). This whole operation can range from fairly easy to extremely difficult, depending on the construction of the clock's dial frame and seatboard.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com

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QUESTION: Hello Martin
i would like to ask you about the meaning of the word "BS" of 1161-853-BS movement. How is the difference between 1161-853-BS and 1161-853-AS?
I ask you this because i want to buy a dial to fit with 1161-853 BS movement.
Thank you
Tran

Answer
Hi Tran,

Both these movements will take the same dial. The "A" and "B" designations are manufacturing versions, indicating small changes or improvements in a particular model's manufacturing. For practical purposes, the "AS" and "BS" versions of the 1161/853 movement are interchangeable.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com