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Clocks, Watches/Vienna regulator wall clock

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Expert: Martin Meyer - 3/3/2009


Question
I have a single weight driven Vienna Regulator wall clock. It works fine until it reaches 6.20 and then stops. The hour and minute hands are not catching and the pendulum is not rubbing on the casework. I can turn the minute hand a few minutes further on and set it going again. Any ideas on what would cause the clock to stop at the same time every 12 hour cycle?

Answer

Motion Work
Hi Maureen,

The time you specify, 6:20, is not a time which points to a particular problem, as would 6:27 or 6:58, when the clock is "warning" (preparing to strike). The only other action which would take place at 12 hour intervals would be the advancing of a moon dial, and I doubt that you have a moon dial on this type clock.

This leaves only the "Motion Work" as an assembly which will align (at least partially) the same every 12 hours. I've attached a labeled photo of a motion work to help my explanation. Your clock will not be identical, but will be very similar. The motion work is a group of three gears on the front plate of the movement which cause the hands to turn, and the hour and minute hands to synchronize properly. The minute hand mounts on a "pipe" (hollow shaft) with a square end, and has a gear at its base, the "cannon pinion". This gear engages with the "minute wheel", a combination gear and pinion directly next to the hour hand and minute hand assemblies. The rest of the motion work consists of the "hour pipe" (the shaft that the hour hand mounts on, with the "hour wheel" at its base, and the "minute pinion", the pinion (small gear) that is mounted on top of the minute wheel.

The only parts that align in exactly the same position every 12 hours are the hour wheel (the gear at the base of the hour hand shaft), and the minute pinion, which the hour wheel engages. However, the minute pinion aligns in the same position every hour. Therefore, the hour wheel is the only part which is in the same position ONLY every 12 hours. Your first attempt at a diagnosis should be to closely examine the teeth of the hour wheel where they are in contact with the minute pinion at 6:20, looking for a bent or damaged gear tooth. This is not to say that the hour wheel MUST be the source of the problem, but it is certainly the first place to look.

To examine these parts, you will of course have to remove the hands and dial. I would recommend setting the clock to 12:00 when you do this. Then, once the dial is removed, you can put the hour and minute hands back on, set to 12:00, so you will have them in the same positions as they were before you removed them.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentThank you I will try this and hopefully see the problem


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Martin Meyer

Expertise

Can answer repair and service questions for most types of clocks, antique and modern, mechanical and battery. NO watches, appraisals, identification, history, dating, or questions about cuckoo clocks. Website for Modern and Antique Clock Repair: Clockmasteronline.com

Experience

24 Years as owner and repairman of clock repair business, 28 years in the field. Factory Independent Service Center for Howard Miller, Ridgeway and (formerly) Sligh Clocks. Specializing in Fine Antique Longcase (grandfather) clocks. Clock repair Website: (Please remove "Not" from the address - this is a spam protection): www.NotClockmasteronline.com

Organizations
AWCI (American Watchmakers and Clockmakers Institute) and NAWCC (National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors)

Publications
Am also an Expert in the "AllExperts-Antiques-Antique Clocks" Category.

Education/Credentials
Trained by a former Rolex Asia watchmaker, and by a Master Watchmaker/Clockmaker.

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