Expert: Martin Meyer - 8/13/2008

Question
QUESTION: We just got a used Bradford Mantle Clock with Hermle movement.  We put in new batteries and the clock kept time OK but the chime did not work.  After running abour six hours, the clock quit. Is there any way I can fix it?

ANSWER: Hi Steve,

If the batteries are fresh alkaline cells, not old-fashioned "heavy duty" acid cells or rechargeables, and the hands are not hitting each other or the dial or the front glass, then there is nothing else you can do. Quartz movements are not designed to be repairable.

The Hermle 2114 movement is available from clock supply houses like Timesavers, Merritts Antiques or Empire Clock. They are not difficult to replace, being held on by a single nut on the hand shaft. These movements come in several hand shaft lengths, so make sure to get the same length as your original movement. http://www.clockmasteronline.com


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

QUESTION: Thanks for your advice so far.  We now have time working correctly and the chimes ring every 15 minutes, just as we want.  Now we would like to use the feature where the chimes do not ring from 10PM to 7AM which is the moon with a line thru it.  How does the clock know when it is AM or PM? We worked on it when it was 6PM and we set the switch on the moon with the line thru it.  When it turned 6:15, there was no chime, so we assumed this was AM.  We turned the wheel to reset the time 12 hours later and at 6:15 there was still no chime.

Answer
Hi again Steve,

This is a somewhat confusing feature. Actually, you determine a.m. versus p.m. when you set the "No Moon" feature. If you set this feature correctly, the clock will be silent at the 6:00 where you set it, and chime at the Next 6:00. If the clock did not chime at either 6:00 point, the "OBW" switch may have been set to "O" (Off), the volume control may have been turned down, or you may have set the No Moon feature incorrectly.

The Hermle instruction sheet for this movement explains this feature as follows:

<"No Moon" position. The clock will not chime for a period of 8 hours following the time you selected to start this function.
    For example: If you wish the chimes silent from 11 p.m. till 7 a.m. move the switch from the sun to the half moon position sometime between 10:45 and 11 p.m. The chimes will automatically become silent each day from 11 p.m. to 7 a.m.>

It's possible that you set the No Moon at, or slightly after, 6:00, rather than in the 15 minute period before 6:00, and the feature did not set correctly.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com