Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 8/26/2008

Question
We recently received from family a Waterbury pendulum mantel clock.  It runs fast all the time, picking up about 3 minutes or more per hour, regardless of where the bob is.  I have the bob at the bottom now, it is still gaining time.  What can I do or what else could be causing this?  Also, how many turns is it safe to wind it.  I've been keeping myself to 15, but it doesn't run a full week at that.  Should it be running a week on a single winding?

Answer
if by saying the bob is at the bottom, you mean there are no more threads to adjust it before it falls off  AND there still is room to lower it before it scrapes on the bottom THEN the wire it hangs on is too short- you can bend a paperclip into a "S" hook with a 90 degree twist in the middle and test hang the pendulum bob lower and see.

fully wound the factories designed them to run 8 days.Many factors can prevent getting the full run. old age, wear and tear, weak springs, off level operation, incomplete winding to name a few.