Expert: Michael Radi - 10/13/2009

Question
I recently purchased a older Schatz Royal Mariner 8 Bell Ships clock at a yard sale.It is in great condition.When I asked the man if it worked he said yes but when he wound the chimes they went off but then the next time it only chimed once and then didn't chime. So he said he wasn't sure if chime would work.When I got home I wound the clock which works fine and keeps time but the chime didn't go off. When you put the key in for chime it is like it is wound all the way. It will only turn just a little tiny bit.Does this sound like a complicated repair?I have been making jewelry out of watches and clock parts(old and broken ones) for a while now and am fairly familiar with taking them apart.Is this something I could possible fix myself?I buy old clocks and watches at yardsales to use for my jewelry but some are too nice and still work so I usually clean them up really good and resell them.Can you tell me how to fix the chime or would it need to be taken to a repairman? Thank you so much for any information you can give me!In case you need to know, on face it is marked Schatz Royal Mariner 8 inside a little bell and then 7 jewels under that.It is marked at very bottom of face made in West Germany.It has an on/off switch (I assume for chime) under the 11 and a little screw with S and F at ends of little arrow around screw (which I assume means slow or fast).It is in heavy brass round case with thick glass door.It is approx. 6 across wide and 4 1/2 inches deep.If you need any pics please let me know or info off of movement. I haven't opened up clock yet. I didn't want to until I found out if I could possibly fix.Also I know you only do repairs but would you possibly know approx. date for this clock? I thought maybe with all your repair experience you might have an educated guess. I have researched and looked all over internet but can't seem to get a date.The other Schatz I find don't mention dates except when Schatz started making them and there have been subtle differences on the other Schatz clocks that I assume probably have to do with the date they were made. But I can't find anything that says well this marking is this date or that.I know there are some Schatz clocks that look like mine but say Germany instead of West Germany and also the on/off and F/S are in different places. I have seen several others that are the same as each other but have not found any except one that was same exactly as mine (but they had no info either). Especially none of the others were marked on the face with the 7 jewels under the 8 in the bell.Just an approx. date would be great.If not thank you anyway. This is a great site and your help is very much appreciated! Thanks again!

Answer
I don't know how to date these clocks but I can tell you that they changed the balance to a platform type at one point. I can try to help you get the clock striking again but you will have to open it up. You said that you have some experience so I would like for you to take out the movement and lubricate it.
I have not worked on one of these in a number of years but, to the best of my recollection, the process goes something like this:
First take the hands off (there is a small nut holding the minute hand on). Then remove the dial screws and take the dial off. This will expose some more screws under the dial and I think you must finally remove three screws on the back of the clock holding the movement in.
At this point I would prefer that you send me a photo of the front of the clock movement so I can give you more instructions.
Michael
www.norkro.com
clock parts and repair