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Clocks, Watches/Clock Strike is wrong....

Expert: William J Perkins - 3/19/2009

Question

Hello,
My cousin has sent us a clock that has been in our family for many years. I believe it to be a New Haven Regulator No. 594. Since he did not tell me how to wind it I just used the key and wound it using both the holes. There is a hole above the five and above the seven. Keeps great time but the strike if off. For instance at 11 it strikes only three times. To set the time I moved the minute hand forward. Did that do it?
Thanks so much,
Jean

Answer
In this instance moving the minute hand around will accomplish nothing. To synchronize the time display to the strike, you will need to move the hour hand ONLY. Here is how to do it. Stop the clock. In this instance do it at a time when the clock says 11. Grasp the hour hand as close to it shaft as you can and turn it to 3. You can do this because the hour hand is friction fit to its shaft. Occasionally this operation causes the hand to lose its friction fit to its shaft, if this should happen simply take your a finger and press the hand back towards the dial. This will re-establish the friction fit. (When ever you mess with the hour hand always make sure the minute hand can pass by without locking to the minute hand). Once you have done this, start the clock and reset to the correct time in the normal manner. (You are quite correct, always set the clock be moving the hands forward). If you need to set the time backwards, simply stop the clock till a time you can reset by moving forward
Incidentally, nice clock.
Regards WJP

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