Expert: Martin Meyer - 3/19/2009

Question
QUESTION: My Centennial Parlor Clock won't stop striking.  And when it does, the clock stops keeping time also.  Any suggestions?

ANSWER: Hi Lois,

Unfortunately, this is not a problem that you can correct yourself.

Your clock has a Korean movement with a "rack and snail" type strike mechanism. While a number of things can cause this mechanism to continue chiming, there is one in particular to which this movement is especially vulnerable. There is one part, a flat brass lever with a right-angle bend which actually stops the striking process, which is very susceptible to metal fatigue and breakage at the bend. Once this part breaks, there is nothing to stop the clock from chiming.

When the chiming stops along with the timekeeping, the chime mechanism is not stopping normally, but is actually being jammed by the time mechanism, which stops both functions.

Parts are generally not available for these movements, but this part is repairable. However, you may find that some clockmakers are not interested in working on Korean movements. This is because many of these movements are problem-prone, often due to inadequate metal quality, as is the case with the problem in your clock.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com

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

QUESTION: Thanks so much for your prompt and honest reply.  Unless I'm misreading this, it's hardly worth the time, frustration and money to get the clock repaired.  I should probably just move on and purchase another clock.

Answer
Hi Lois,

I wouldn't go so far as to say that. Clearly, the current Korean movements are not equal in quality to the current German movements. On the other hand, many of the Korean clocks are very attractive and have extremely nice woodwork design. What is more, their original cost is far less, often a fraction, of the cost of a similar German-movement clock. And not every, or even most, Korean-movement clocks fail. At the very least, this repair is certainly worth looking into.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com