Expert: Martin Meyer - 2/27/2009

Question
I HAVE A NEW NEVER TAKEN OUT OF THE BOX RIDGEWAY GRANDFATHER CLOCK MODEL# 9667 I CAN NOT FIND ANY INFORMATION ON THIS CLOCK AND THE NEW RIDGEWAY DOES NOT HAVE THIS MODEL INFORMATION,IT SAYS (02/2001) INSIDE BOX FOR PENDULUM AND KEYS ARE MISSING! I WAS TOLD I WILL NEED TO BUY ONLY HERMLE PENDULUM? CODE ON BACK SAYS 461 0R 481 -853B 114CM ALSO I WAS TOLD IT NEEDS TO BE 42 INCHES OR LONGER I HAVE SEEN A NICE ONE BUT ITS NOT HERMLE AND ONLY 41" HALF THE PRICE , ARE THEY BEING HONEST WITH ME, ITS A 3RD PARTY CLOCK DEALER.I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR COMMENTS THANKS SO MUCH JIM..PS I KNOW IT WAS MADE IN 2001 WOULD IT ALSO HALF TO BE OILED BY A PROFESSIONAL, AND HOW MUCH SHOULD I PAY? (WESTMINSTER 8 DAY CABLE DRIVEN?


Answer
Hi Jim,

If the clock has been sitting in the box since 2001, it most definitely needs to be properly lubricated before setting it up. It is preferable to have the clock lubricated by a professional, but if you want to try it yourself, please browse my recent answers, where I describe the process. Prices for clock service vary widely by area and by individual clockmaker, so I can't give you an idea of what you should pay.

The information you have about pendulum length is not quite correct. The correct pendulum length for the 114cm movement is 43.5". It is not really an "or longer" situation; the pendulum must be very close to the correct length. A 41" pendulum will cause the clock to run fast. The pendulum must have the correct Hermle-style top hook or it will not connect to the movement, or will not connect properly. By "Hermle pendulum" I don't know if you mean Hermle-style or made by the Hermle company. You must have a Hermle-style pendulum. Hermle-style pendulums are available from any good clock supply house, like Timesavers (www.timesavers.com), Black Forest Imports (www.blackforestimports.com), or Merritts Antiques (www.merritts.com). As a matter of fact, Hermle-style pendulums are the ONLY modern grandfather size pendulums, of the three movement manufacturers, that are readily available. You needn't worry about size when ordering them; they will be specified as "Hermle" pendulum for "114cm movement".  http://www.clockmasteronline.com