Expert: Martin Meyer - 3/28/2009

Question
I have a very old napoleon hat clock that has Westminster chimes.  They all work perfectly except that they chime four minutes early.  Would you be good enough to advise as to how it could be adjusted to work in sync with correct time please.  Many thanks

Answer
Hi Lindsay,

There are two general designs for the minute hand assembly which create two very different ways of correcting the minute hand so that the clock chimes exactly on the hour. With one of these designs you can adjust the minute hand yourself; with the other you will need to have a professional clock repairer make the adjustment.

Some minute hands are one flat piece of metal with a square or oblong hole cut in the center, for mounting the hand on its shaft. This design requires internal adjustments in the movement to correct the minute hand, and should be done by a professional.

Other minute hands have a bushing in their center which can be adjusted. At the center of the hand you will see a circular or hexagonal piece with a square hole which fits on the hand shaft. This piece is riveted onto the minute hand, and appears fairly immovable at first glance, but can be turned to adjust the hand to point exactly to the :12, :15, :30 and :45 points when the clock chimes.

To perform this adjustment, insert a square-side awl or small screwdriver in the square center hole. Hold the minute hand tightly near its base, and turn the screwdriver or awl, so that the bushing turns, thus changing the orientation of its square center hole. Be careful not to bend or break the minute hand as you do this. The bushing will usually be quite tight, but will turn with enough effort. If the bushing is not tight, and turns very easily, you should set the hand on an anvil and give the bushing a couple light taps with a small hammer to tighten it up. After adjusting, put the hand on its shaft and turn it to see if it correctly lines up with the chime point. This is a very precise setting, so it will almost certainly take several adjustments to get the hand perfectly in synch with the chime.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com