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Clocks, Watches/Viking series 111 grandfather clock

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Expert: - 11/10/2009


Question
Hi John, I was given a grandfather clock years ago by my brother who purchased it through the Easton Press in Norwalk Conn.. I have enjoyed it for years but had to put in storage for a few years.
I have set it up and the clock seems to work fine but it no longer chimes.  I can hear it make noise 3 minutes before each quarter hour but it never chime when it hits each quarter. The info on the back it   (   87    Black Forest Clocks     451-050H      94cm / 66  )   also a script word I cannot make out.
Any info or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Answer
Peggy, the script word was probably Hermle.  First, check the weights.    The weights should weigh, from left to right as you face the clock, 4.4#, 4.4# and 6.6#.  These will vary slightly between manufacturers of the clocks.  The right one is for the chime and has to do more work and requires more weight.  Also, if the clock hasn't been serviced in the last 7 to 10 years, it could have gummy lubricant and/or worn parts.  The chime function is usually the first to fail.  Being in storage for a while, especially if it was in an environment without temperature control, could have caused the lubricants to to loose their resiliency, and it would need to be serviced by an experienced clockmaker.  Good luck.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

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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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