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Clocks, Watches/Verichron Chime Pendullum Wall Clock

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Expert: - 10/5/2009


Question

Clock Movement
I grew up with this clock and it has stopped working.  I do not know if the movement can be repaired or if it should be replaced.  I have attached a picture of the mechanism.

Answer
Kim, very few battery powered clock movements are economically restorable, as there are virtually no available parts or documentation.  Also, the labor costs usually soon exceed the cost of a replacement movement.  In addition, the exact replacements for the older (and even some of the current) movements are unavailable from suppliers.  I checked with a couple of my suppliers and none have the exact movement.  There was one similar, but it had vertical chime rods.  However I don't know how easily it would convert to your case.  The problems with these replacements is that there are some dimensional differences for space, mounting, dial thickness, pendulum position and length.  The good news is that more current quartz quality chiming pendulum movements are available.  Still the above mounting considerations have to be looked at, but not as critical.  I have different models as far as mounting options are concerned and most of the time I have to do some minor modifications.  I do this quite frequently on the battery powered or Asian clocks with movements that are beyond economical restoration or replacement.  

I will add that there could be a minor problem with the movement that would not cost too much to resolve.  I have worked on these movements before successfully.  The way they work is that there is a small mainspring that powers the clock.  It is hooked to a set of contacts that trip when the spring winds down.  The contacts turn on a motor which winds the spring until it is wound.  When the spring winds down again the cycle starts all over.  From my memory it usually cycles about every 5 minutes.  Some of the problems include bad battery contacts or motor contacts, worn gears or debris in the gear teeth or balance wheel problems.  

It would probably be best to have a clockmaker look at it and give you an estimate for the repair or conversion.  I hope this helps a little.


John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you. I figured repair was probably a dead end. I did find a new movement that I hope will work on the clock and give the same bim-bam chime I grew up hearing. I'll will post an update once I've completed the restoration. Thank you for your time.


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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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