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Clocks, Watches/Ridgeway mantel clock
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Question
While traveling I found a Ridgeway mantel clock in an antique mall. The case is black - either ebony or very dark mahogany -and it looks very old. The face is way too clean for an old clock and has three key wind holes. There is a balance wheel near the top of the movement, and the strike is unusual in that, although it seems to Westminster, it makes a distinctive double strike for each note that it plays. This is not a case of the strike hammer bouncing, it actually strikes each note twice. I cannot find any other markings on the movement. Is there any way to determine where or when this clock was built, and what might be going on with the strike, .... or should it do that? Thanks!
J, if you can send a couple of photos, one of the front and one of the back of the movement, to my shop email address below, I will try to identify it. This could be a marriage of parts that was put together by someone. Ridgeway was not old enough to have any clocks that would be considered antique. I have never heard of a double strike other than the bouncing. Does it lift the normal 1 hammer length each time it double strikes? Also are you talking about the strike that counts the hours or the chime which plays the tune on the quarters? Could you send me all the information found on the backplate of the movement? If it is a Hermle, the information would generally be on the lower right-hand side of the plate. The name could be Hermle or possibly Ridgeway stamped on it. If it has two numbers above the name, such as "78", that would indicate it was manufactured in 1978. If it is an alpha character, like "A", that would be the year 1988, "B" would be 89, etc. Let me know.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com
(General Note: Due to the commitment I have for answering Allexperts questions and follow-up information,
and the excessive backlog at my shop, I regret that I cannot answer other questions from
this email address in a timely manner)
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Answers by Expert:
John Newman
Expertise
As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.
Experience
One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.
Organizations
Chamber of Commerce
Small Business Committee
Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.
Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology
Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)
Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama)
Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)
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