Expert: William J Perkins - 12/14/2008

Question
QUESTION: model 1171-850 Hermle clock movement. The chines and striker
are locked and will not move.Can you tell me what might be wrong. The cable is turned uneven on the striker. How can it be unwind.

ANSWER: Is the plastic guard out of place or missing from the winding wheel apparatus?  The cable being wound uneven is a dead give away of cable over cble lock up.  Let me know.  Regards WJP

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QUESTION: How can I unwind the cable?

ANSWER: I really need an answer to my question.  Is the plastic guard out of place or missing from the winding wheel apparatus.  WJP

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QUESTION: no sir it is not missing or out of place. weh

Answer
You will need to gain access to your clocks movement.  The first thing you must do is to remove the weight from the cable then unhook the cable from the movement.  Examine very carefully the structure of the winding mechanism.  First you will see the shaft (arbor) upon which you insert the key to wind, following the shaft further you will note a ratchet gear, with rather course teeth, engaging one of the teeth of the ratchet gear is a locking pawl.  To unwind the cable you must disengage the pawl from the ratchet wheel, while thus disengaged pull the cable downward this will cause unwinding.  Unwind until the cable reaches a point where it rest flat on the drum.  Rehook the cable, hang the weight, carefully wind the cable to its its wound position.  That should do the job.  Regards WJP