Expert: Martin Meyer - 2/18/2008

Question
My clock sank with my boat and I have taken clock apart.  Mechanism is too corroded, I think, to repair. The brass clock housing is about 8.5" wide and 3" deep.  The Wuersch co. listed on the internet cannot help.  Is there a "generic" mechanism that I can replace the old with? The old is about 2.5" deep by 3.5" wide, so there is plenty of extra space.  Battery operated is OK. Thanks, Charlie

Answer
Hi Charlie,
    There are Hermle ships bell movements available in both mechanical and quartz versions from Empire Clock (www.empireclock.com). Your original movement may very well be a Hermle. You should look on the back of the movement for any markings indicating the manufacturer and model of movement. If there are markings, but no indication of manufacturer, please get back to me with whatever markings there are, and I will try to identify the movement.
    If you replace with a mechanical movement, you will need a movement identical to the original, or the winding and handshaft holes in the dial will not line up. If you replace with a quartz movement, you need only be concerned with a size of movement that fits in your clock, and a handshaft length that is the same as the original movement's.