You are here:

Clocks, Watches/westminster chime out of sequence

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/19/2009


Question
QUESTION: My clock chimes on the quarter hour.  The first chime goes 3-2-1-5, instead of 3-1-2-5.  It does not repeat the mistake on the half and 3/4 hours, so I am wondering whether the sequence can be changed for just one segment of the tune.

Thanks so much!

ANSWER: Carol, there are a couple of different chime setups between manufacturers.  For the Hermles with which I am familiar, the standard is to have 5 chime rods in descending order.  The first quarter chime would go 1-2-3-4, the "1" being the highest note.  If that is set correctly the others will follow in proper order.  If this is not happening, the chime drum gearing could have slipped and will have to be synchronized.  If the chime rods are not descending, look for the manufacturer's name or model information on the back of the movement and get back with me.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Firs off, I am SO impressed with how quickly you answered!  Thank you so very much.  Second, my clock is a Hermle.  When I referred to the numbers, I meant the 3rd, 2nd, 1st, 5th scale tones, like E-D-C-G.  I apologize for not being clearer.  I will speak to my "clock man" about synchronizing.  He's in another town, so I tried the internet first.

Once again, I thank you.  I may be back!  :-)

Answer
On the notes, that's okay, Carol.  I'm not a music major and I count the notes in sequence.  I'm good up to 5 (fingers on one hand), but it gets rougher from there on. 6>)

Here is an answer I gave on Allexperts a while back:

"...one of my sources states that the Big Ben Westminster chimes in London (originally installed in Cambridge) are:

D-G-A-B, where D=1, G=2, A=3 and B=4


They strike as follows:


1st Quarter     2nd Quarter          3rd Quarter    

4-3-2-1     2-4-3-1, 2-3-4-2    4-2-3-1, 1-3-4-2, 4-3-2-1

        4th Quarter
2-4-3-1, 2-3-4-2, 4-2-3-1, 1-3-4-2

What is interesting about this is that at the beginning of the 4th quarter the sequence repeats itself , but starting with the notes of the 2nd quarter through the 3rd quarter.  This puts the next sequence at the proper position to start the 1st quarter again.

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.