Expert: Michael Radi - 4/8/2009

Question
Hello.  I have an Elgin Regulator wall clock that will quit running at some point between a few minutes and a few days.  It is battery operated (D Cell) and has a pendulum that is stamped 12", but it measures only about 10 1/4 inches.  It also has a double-mechanical striker to strike two rods at the 1/2 hour and hour (on the hour counts the time, e.g. 3 strikes at 3:00).  The movement has stamped on it the following numbers:

A4123 (This also appears on the back of the pendulum)
1103
12"

The movement is about 5 1/4 wide, and the copper chime rods are 6" and 7" long.  I have done some basic Internet searching and haven't found anything that looks like it would match this very closely.  I consider myself fairly mechanically apt, but would just as soon replace the movement if available.  Any ideas on either repairing / cleaning this movement or where to possibly find this movement to replace it?  Thank you much in advance for your time.

Answer
It sounds like you are looking for a bim bam movement. They changed them a little bit so here are some things to consider: Your hands may not fit the new movement so you will want to get new hands with it. Usually these clocks have 4-1/2" spade hands so I'll send you that link.
Also, the size of the movement is slightly different so make sure you have enough. The pendulum hangs under the movement rather than down the back so be sure there are no obstructions under the movement. Sometimes there is a wood block or the lower window may be recessed and be in the way of the pendulum.
Here is a link to the movement:
http://www.norkro.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=82_100&produc...
Here is a link to the hands:
http://www.norkro.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=3_137&product...

Michael