Clocks, Watches/Chimes not working

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Expert: - 12/14/2009


Question
John this is what I know about my grandfather clock's history.

This is in response to your recent replay to my question concerning the function or lack of my clock chimes.

About thriteen years ago my son was sleeping in my living room
early one morning when the clock started to chime.
It disturbed his sleeping so he turned off the chimes while they were still in the process of chiming.MY clock is about 32 y3ars old. I've just taken the infomation from the workings they are

Hamilton;. By the way there is another stamp on the clock that says Etchforms 552 6-22-78. and the rest of the infomation is mucl Jewels muaoiustel made in West Germany  1151-050

94cm 66-00  

Answer
James, sometimes the information on the backs of movements is difficult to read.  The movement you have was manufactured by Hermle in 1978.  It is an 1151-050 with a pendulum length of 94cm and has a beat of 66/minute or 3960/hour.  The rest of the information is (0) Jewels Unadjusted Made in West Germany.  It has  triple-chimes.   If the chime selection switch is moved during a chime function, the mechanism can jam.  If the clock has doors in the top sides, open the right one (as you face the clock) and check the chime hammers.  If it does not have side doors, can you remove the back top cover?  The hammers should all be in alignment at rest.  It is very possible that they are not.  To correct this, carefully pull the 8 chime hammers back and slowly turn the minute hand of the clock past the hour.  This is one way of unjamming it.  If it has been 13 years since this happened, it could be that the lubricants have become gummy and the chime train will not work.  In this case it would need to be serviced.  Let me know how it works out.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

Clocks, Watches

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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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