Expert: Martin Meyer - 6/24/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have a wooden wall clock with 3 holes for winding.  the face says hamilton on it. The pendulum has been lost. How do I go about finding the right size pendulum for this clock. I am not even sure how to remove the back of the clock.  There are two screws located at the top left side of the rear of the clock but have not removed them. Can you tell me how or where to get the right size pendulum for this clock?

ANSWER: Hi John,

The pendulum must be matched by length and by top hook to the movement in the clock. The top hook on the pendulum must fit the movement, and the length of the pendulum is critical if the clock is to keep time. First, you will need to access the back of the movement and get all numbers and information that is stamped on it. Once you have this information, you can attempt to find information on the correct pendulum for this movement. Clock supply houses  like Timesavers (www.timesavers.com) or Merritts Antiques (www.merritts.com) carry a selection of pendulums. If your movement is a Hermle, finding the correct pendulum will be easiest; if Urgos or Kieninger, possible but a bit harder; If the movement is a "31 Day", finding a pendulum will be very difficult.

Pendulums on wall clocks usually hook on from the front, so removal of the back is not necessary for that, but may be necessary to get to the back of the movement to get the above information. DO NOT remove the two screws that you describe; they may be the chime rod mount screws. If the back is removable, there will be screws around the outside edge of the back. Note that many clocks do not have removable backs, and the movement is accessed from the front. There are many designs for front-mounting movements, and so I am not able to give you assistance on the matter of removing the movement from the front.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com


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QUESTION: Thank you for that information.  I was able to find how to access the internal workings of this clock and removed the (not sure what you call it) movement maybe, to look on the back and get the numbers you say I needed.  However I am unable to locate what I am looking for , the pendulum.
The information listed on the back is as follows:
84
Hamilton
No.(0) Jewels
unajusted    (unsure of this word as it was small to read)
made in west germany

351-030 A   (the A may not be an A. Possibly a symbol)

43cm
_______
104.568

This is the only information I found on the mechanism.

Any Idea where I can go to find the appropriate pendulum?

John

ANSWER: Hi again John,

This is exactly the information that you needed. Your clock has a Hermle movement, model number 351-030A, and takes a 43cm. pendulum. The movement was made in 1984. A pendulum with brass rod and a choice of brushed or polished finish on the bob is available from Black Forest Imports (www.blackforestimports.com), part number HP43-80 (brushed) or HP43-80P (polished).  http://www.clockmasteronline.com

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QUESTION: Thank you for that information, it was very helpful however when I went to www.blackforestimports.com, in order to look up a part number and order it I had to register so I could log in. In order to register I had to wait for this website to send me a password and I never got that password. therefore I cant order this part from this website.  www.clockmasteronline.com seems to be a site where one can send in a clock to have it worked on. Im only looking to order this part. are there any other sites I might be able to order this part from?

Thank you for all your help

John

Answer
Hi again John,

In my opinion, Black Forest Imports is the most complete source for peripheral parts and knowledgeable information on Hermle movements, and I would suggest that you contact them about your missing password or order by phone at (800) 824-0900.

Empire Clock(www.empireclock.com) lists a 43cm Hermle pendulum. Timesavers lists Hermle unfinished wood-stick pendulums of various lengths, but only by rod length and not by nominal pendulum length (information which you would have to get from Black Forest anyway), and Merritts Antiques does not list a 43cm Hermle pendulum. These are the major suppliers which I deal with.

http://www.clockmasteronline.com is the address of my own website, which I include, like a signature, at the end of all my messages. I am a clock repair service, and I do not supply parts.