Expert: William J Perkins - 2/17/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have a grandmother clock that has worked flawlessly for 20+ years, but now is showing signs of needing to be cleaned.  I live in a remote area of Northern Minnesota and don't have anyone in the near area that can service my clock movement.  Are you aware of anyone who could do this work for me if I could take out the movement and ship it via FedEx or UPS?  Someone reliable that wouldn't charge as much as a new movement???  Thanks for your advice.

ANSWER: Clock work has become quite expensive, it is quite conceivable that it would be very cost effective to replace your old movement.  If you could send me all the information that is stamped upon your clock movements backplate, I can give you some pretty solid suggestions, even, possibly a place to have the movement restored.  To assist me in that endevor I would need to know where you live in order to assist in finding a qualified clock repair facility.  Regards WJP

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

QUESTION: Thank you for your prompt response...I was out of town for a few days, so the delay in getting back to you.

I'm new at this clock business, so don't be surprised if I have some dumb questions.  To answer your question, I wrote down the information stamped on the backplate:
         81
         HERMLE
         Black Forest Clocks
         AMHURST, VIRGINIA
         451-050H
         94cm
         66
The owners instructions that came with the clock refer to "Viking clocks" from Foley, Alabama, and identifies it as a "Series III."

I live in Northern Minnesota in a small town called Warroad.  Any help or advice is very much appreciated.  Thank you.  Glen Bergland  

Answer
After considerable thought I have decided to provide you with the same advice I would give to a customer visiting my shop.  The movement you have currently installed in your clock is most likely a standard model.  I suggest it would be more cost effective to replace that movement with one of the new "Superior" models.  As the name says you would end up with a much better movement than the one installed in your clock.  The standard movement makes use of stamped ratchets, the superior model makes use of machined ratchets.  The standard movement makes use of mild steel pinions relying on a thin nickel plating to provide hardness.  When this plating begins to wear through, they have to be replaced.  The superior model makes use of hardened steel.  The standard model makes use of soft brass bushings at high wear points.  The superior model makes use of bronze bushings.  Understand both movements are made by the very same manufacturer, Hermle, both bear the same markings but the finish is obviously much better.  Replacing a movement in a modern day clock with one of the same specifications should not be confused with the undesirable act of destroying an antique clock by substituting an improper movement.  Not only is it more cost effective it enhances the value of the clock.  You can purchase a new superior movement from Butterworth Clocks Inc.  Marc Butterworth has become the largest seller of mechanical clock movements in the USA.  You can find him on the Internet.  His address is, Butteworth Clocks, Inc., 5300 59th Ave, West., Muscatine, Iowa., 52761.  If you follow my advise, call Mark and order A Hermle model 451-050H movement with a 94 cm pendulum length.  Incidentally your current movement was made in 1981.  CAUTION:  If you order a movement from another vendor make very sure you would get the superior grade and above all do not accept a rebuild.  A rebuild would merely delay major repairs to a later date.  Let me know how you come out or need something else.  Regards WJP