Expert: Martin Meyer - 10/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: Thank you for sharing your expertise.  I need help finding a diagram for a small battery-operated clock movement.  I accidentally knocked the clock off the wall, and a few gears popped out when the cover came off the back.  My husband was able to replace them and the clock started working, but he lost his grip and it fell again.  This time more than gears popped out...  Your Q&A site was among those that I found searching the Internet for a diagram, and we'd appreciate any help you can offer.  


ANSWER: Hi Sandi,

Quartz (battery) movements are not designed to be repaired, and no diagrams or other service information is generally available. If you can determine the manufacturer there is a slight possibility that he could provide you with a parts diagram. Quartz movements are generally very inexpensive and can usually be replaced fairly easily.   http://www.clockmasteronline.com

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QUESTION: Thank you.  I don't see a manufacturer's name, so we'll get a replacement.  I noticed that your replies to previous questions mentioned getting the right length shaft and making sure hands will fit, so I disassembled and removed the movement.  I plan to take the housing and 1" shaft with me when I get the replacement, and I'd appreciate any other suggestions.

Answer
Hi again Sandi,

The key considerations in selecting a movement are: 1)the overall size of the movement must fit in the space for it in the clock; 2)The handshaft must be very close to the same length as the original. It is measured from its base on the front plate of the clock to its tip; 3)The handshaft must fit through the hole in the clock. On some wood clocks you can enlarge the hole if needed. Hermle makes very good quartz movements, but their mounting method requires a slightly large hole than is needed for other makes.

Unless your clock is very old (for a quartz clock) your original hands should fit the new movement. If the hands do not fit, there is a very wide assortment of replacement hands available. There are many Internet sources of quartz movements; some good ones are  Timesavers (www.timesavers.com), Merritts Antiques (www.merritts.com and Empire Clock (www.empireclock.com).