You are here:

Clocks, Watches/Suddenly Stop & No TickTock

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/10/2009


Question
Dear Expert,
First, thank you for your last kind answer regarding my question. However I have another new question which is today suddenly my "RA wallclock 2 holes" stop working. And after wind up fully (as usually) and swing the pendulum, it just swing lightly, but missing the ticktock sound, so it just "dead" no ticking sound and the pendulum will stop again. I know this not the outbeat case but maybe you can give some clue based on your expertise. Well, in here Indonesia we have some difficult to find old clock expert to reapir. Thank you.

Answer
Hi, Vincent.  I always have to say this to clock owners because it does happen every now and then.  Make sure you are winding each mainspring in the correct direction until it is wound.  If you try winding in the wrong direction, it will feel as it is fully wound, when it is not.  

It could be that the clock you have was knocked out of beat when winding.  This happens quite occasionally.  When the door is opened, the clock will tilt on the wall, which sometimes puts it out of beat.  Some of these clocks can be put back in beat as follows.  Set the clock on the wall so it is straight GENTLY move the top of the pendulum a little to the left and right.  Do you hear it tick as you move it?  You should be able to slip it to one side or the other to get it to tick evenly again.  If this doesn't work, get back with me and I'll give you my shop email address and we might have to exchange some photos to see what we can do.  Let me know.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

Clocks, Watches

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.