Expert: Martin Meyer - 7/28/2008

Question
we have a seth thomas tempus fugit. how can i turn off the chimes and keep the clock running?

Answer
Hi Christine,

You don't indicate if this is a grandfather clock or a mantle or wall clock. I'll assume it's a grandfather clock because they have more possible methods of silencing the chimes.

First, not all clocks have a method of silencing the chimes. Letting the chime weight run down and not winding it is not a good way to silence the chimes. If the chime mechanism comes to a stop in mid-chime it can cause the clock to stop running altogether.

The most common chime silencer is a lever usually near the 3:00 position, but sometimes near the 12:00 or the 9:00. If your clock does not have such a lever, look for strings hanging down from the movement inside the case. These strings should have rings at their ends, which can be pulled down and attached to hooks on the inside side wall of the clock, thus silencing the chime and strike.

Finally, on some older movements there is a long brass lever mounted on the back plate of the movement, on the left or right side, or both. These levers can be accessed from the side doors or panels of the clock, and moved, usually downwards, to silence the chime and/or hour strike.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com