Expert: John Newman - 12/29/2009

Question
QUESTION: Just bought one, has bird, dancers.  3 weights stamped with a 19.  Needs some repairs, like bellows and one of the wire rods that make things move.  Where can I get repairs made, and where can I find info on age of the clock: Clock mechanism has stamped in back: Made in Germany, 25, G.M. 1731483 and 1741584, and a Regula insignia with a tree under the wording.

ANSWER: Mike, I do not have any information on the dates of manufacture of cuckoo clocks.  The 25 is a general identification of the model, meaning that it is a 1-day movement.  The GM numbers are patent numbers.  If you will give me the general area in which you live, I will see if there are any members of my Internet Clocksmiths Group near you.  For confidentiality, I do not ask for specific addresses on any Internet forum.


John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama


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

QUESTION: Thanks for the info, John.  I gave the clock to my daughter who lives in Olympia, WA.  That is where the clock now lives.  By the way, this is an 8-day clock (three days hanging, and have not had to pull the weights back up). In researching this clock maker, some expert posted that the number imprinted means year of make.  The question of "what is the 75 stamped on it mean" was answered "year of make, 75 = 1975.  Mine has a 25, so I might assume it's 1925.  I will look into this more.  -M

Answer
Well, I learn something every day.  My references show the Regula cuckoo movements as the 25 models being a 1-day, and the 34 models being an 8-day.  It might depend where the 25 is stamped.  These numbers sometimes are associated with other numbers such as R25/45 or R34/46.  The second number of each has to do with the table height of the dancer's platform above the top of the movement in mm.  Another way to tell the difference between a 1-day movement and an 8-day movement is by the size of the weights.  Usually the 1-day weights are around around 300gm and the 8-day weights are around 1500gm.  Sometimes they are marked in the casting of the weights.  As far as the "25" date, there is a bit of difference in the pre- and post-war cuckoos.  Is the appearance of yours older or newer?  I just am not familiar with that type of date stamp.  I do not show any members in your area, but just to make sure I missed someone, I have sent out an inquiry.  I will let you know if I receive any replies.

John Newman

The closest I can find is about 3 hours away from Olympia.  If you would like the contact information, contact me at my shop email address below.  For confidentiality I do not generally give names over a public Internet venue.

John Newman