Expert: Martin Meyer - 12/13/2009

Question
QUESTION: This is a Tochigi Tokei Quartz movement with a wire hammer that strikes a bell.  In the battery compartment are the numbers 22303A and 6081A.  Those are the only numbers on the movement. This movement is on a nautical clock.  Where can I get this movement repaired or replaced.

Regards,

Bob Adams


ANSWER: Hi Bob,

Quartz movements are not repairable, but there are many replacement movements available from clock parts suppliers like Timesavers (www.timesavers.com), Merritts Antiques (www.merritts.com) or Empire Clock (www.empireclock.com).

The two main considerations are 1)getting a new movement that will fit in the space available in your clock, and 2)getting the same handshaft length as the original. You said this is a nautical clock; if it strikes ship's bells instead of hours, your selection will be limited. Also, it may be difficult finding a movement that strikes on a real bell rather than making an electronic bell-like sound. These have largely been replaced by the electronic strike type.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com

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

QUESTION: Martin:

This movement is working electronically, it's the mechanical mechanism that strikes the bell that needs work.  Someone on this planet should be able to fix it.  Please guide me to that person.  As you mentioned, availability will be limited.  Someone has one, where can I advertise to buy one?

Regards,

Bob Adams

Answer
Hi Bob,

I don't know that advertising to buy the same movement would have any success. The number of Asian quartz movements and Asian manufacturers is staggering. Some American clock companies buy large quantities of movements for a particular clock, but that movement by itself is not sold in the U.S. Also, movement manufacturers change their models and designs very frequently, as this is a rapidly changing technology. Unless your movement is only a couple years old, the chances of finding decrease even more.

Regarding having a repair done, the only assistance I can give is to refer you to http://www.nawcc.org/ and http://www.awci.com/. These are the two American clock repairers and collectors organizations, and they have listings of clock repair people throughout the U.S. But I think you would have more success doing web searches.

However, clockmakers do not like to work on quartz movements, other than replacing them. I don't know a single clockmaker who will touch one, anywhere. These movements are not designed to be repaired, so trying to do so is a losing proposition for both customer and clockmaker. You may have more more success with an electronics hobbyist than with a clockmaker.

Finally, mechanical striking quartz movements are obsolescent, if not obsolete. Ship's bell striking on quartz movements is extremely rare; I do not find a single one listed in any of my suppliers' catalogs. Combining the two, you have an exceptionally difficult repair situation.