Expert: Martin Meyer - 8/5/2008

Question
QUESTION: Attached is a photo of the working of a clock which I have just purchased.   I now have four enfield clocks and all the others have pendulums.  Should this one have a pendulum and if so where should it go.

ANSWER: Hi Marilyn,

I apologize for the delay in getting back to you.

This movement does not have a pendulum. It is a "floating balance" movement. The large horizontal wheel that you see below the coil-type spring rotates back and forth to create the "ticking" that establishes the rate of the clock, just as a pendulum's swinging back and forth provides a similar function.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com

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QUESTION: At the moment the clock is not working the chimes work fine.    But I know from the other clocks I have that there is a lever on the pendulum where you can balance the clock when it is on an uneven surface.   I do not think that the clock has been overwound.   Is there likely to be a balance set up on this clock.  The clock is virtually unmarked and is in beautiful condition so I would really like to get it working.   Also would you have any idea in what year it is likely to have been made.   Attached is a picture of the front of the clock for your information   It is the one in the bottom right hand corner.   Unfortunately the one at the top which belonged to my great grandmother the part holding the mechanism which the pendulum hangs on had come adrift but it is what started my collection and I would not part with it.

Answer
Hi Marilyn,

The adjustment that you are referring to on your pendulum clocks is for setting the pendulum beat, it is not a compensator for the clock being off-level. Floating balance clocks do not have such an adjustment; as long as the clock is on a relatively level surface, it will be in beat.

If your clock is not running, it is due to need for lubrication, bearing wear or other causes. Overwinding is a very common myth about clocks; there is actually no such thing. Your clock is simply fully wound and not running, so it remains wound.

I can't provide any information on the age of the clock. This is an area outside my field of expertise, and I do not attempt answers on dating.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com