Expert: Martin Meyer - 2/3/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hello,

I have been noticing that many clock shops do not care to even touch 30/31 day clocks. I even viewed a website that would only service them by convert them to battery power!!! Is there something wrong with these clocks or are these people just being lazy? I guess my real question is are 30/31 day clocks good clocks? Thanks for your time and knowledge.

Jonathan

ANSWER: Hi Jonathan,

The clocks you are referring to have Korean-made movements. There are some good quality antique 30-Day clocks, which are American or European made. The Korean clocks are usually marked "31-Day", but can also occasionally be marked "30-Day".

Many clock repairers prefer not to service these clocks because their construction and materials are not of adequate quality. Aside from some odd and peculiar design factors, the metals used in these clocks is of poor quality. It is too often the case that a repairer will repair one part on the clock, only to have another part fail soon after.

In my opinion, these clocks could not be considered "good clocks". The cases, however, are often very attractive, and sometimes quite elaborate. The problem lies in the deficiency of the movements.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com


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

QUESTION: Thanks for your answer. If I could ask just one more. My grandma has three 30/31 day wall clocks in her house. I only know the name of one; it's an Aikosha 30 day from Japan. She has had them for about 30-40 years. They have never been stopped (for more than a day), nor have they ever been serviced!!! EVER!!!!! They are working very well. I guess my question really applies for all clocks. Should'nt these clocks have stopped a long time ago or will clocks, like the ones that she has, just keep on running long after a cleaning is needed? Thanks.

Jonathan

Answer
Hi Jonathan,

There are many variables involved in this question, and I wish I could give a simple answer, but I can't. I have seen "good" quality movements completely worn out at 12 years, and I have seen 35 year old movements still going strong.

For the clocks you described to be running at 30-40 years is truly remarkable. It is possible that the bearings are very badly worn, but the clock still runs. It is possible that the bearing wear is less than would be expected for clocks of this age.

I should also clarify by statements about Korean movements in my first response. I was referring to a type of movement which has recently flooded the American market. There may also be other Korean movements of different design and construction, which may be much more serviceable. One thing I learned early in my profession is that a gross generalization is never true in clock repair; there is always an exception lurking in some corner. Also, it is important to distinguish between this particular variety of contemporary Korean movement, and movements of Japanese, Indian or other Asian origin. The Japanese clock industry makes some very fine clocks, at a level with the best of the European movement manufacturers. Additionally, many older clocks (30-40 years) used better quality metals in their construction. It was slightly after that time that manufacturers from many regions of the world, began experimenting with cost-cutting methods related to metallurgy, some of which resulted in disasters that took the companies years to overcome.

Some clocks will continue to run long after the bearing wear should have stopped them. If this is the case, you've been lucky, but it would be a huge mistake to see this as the recommended way to go. Clocks, like any machine, require lubrication to operate properly and not wear out. Clocks should be lubricated periodically, every 2 to 4 years, and you should never wait until problems appear to have this service done.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com