Expert: Martin Meyer - 7/13/2009

Question
QUESTION: I have a clock that I haven't been able to identify. It keeps time perfect, but doesn't chime. On the back of the timepiece, it states:
Mayfair Sales Co
No. 101 Jewelers Unadjusted
P.L. 61cm

On the front it says it is made in Germany.

I have the heaviest weight on the right hand side (looking @ the clock face) and the other two weights are about the same. No indication on the bottom of the weights.

It keeps time awesome, but doesn't strike. It is not on the silent setting. I hear the clock click on the hour and if I pull slightly on the weight, I can get it to chime.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!

ANSWER: Hi Cory,

The condition that you describe is called "stalling". Chime problems are caused by either stalling or jamming. The fact that you can make the clock chime by pulling on the weight indicates that jamming is not the problem. Stalling can be caused by need for lubrication, wear in the movement's bearings or weights in incorrect positions. You have ruled out the last as a cause, because the weights are in their correct positions.

You should first lubricate or have the clock lubricated to see if that corrects the problem. Lubrication must be done correctly, with clock oil ONLY, and in the correct spots only. In abbreviated form, you place a small drop of clock oil at each point where a pivot (gear shaft end) enters a bearing hole in the front and back main plates of the clock. There are a few more oiling locations, but going into that much detail is beyond the scope of this forum.

If lubrication does not correct the problem, it is very likely that the movement's bearings are worn. From the information you stated about your clock, it is probably older, perhaps 30 years or so. This is beyond the expected lifespan of the movement, so bearing wear is to be expected. The remedy for this is to have the movement overhauled or replaced.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Do you have a ballpark figure how much it would be to have the movement overhauled or replaced? The clock was my wife's grandmothers, so I'm sure it's at least 30 years old, that may be the issue. My wife's parents couldn't ever get the clock to work, but leveling it worked for me.

Thanks again for your help and let me know about the ballpark for the repair.

Answer
Hi Cory,

Clockmakers' prices vary widely depending on region and on the individual clockmaker. Also, each clock repair is unique, due not only to the movement, but also to the construction of the clock and related complications in installation and adjustments. Therefore, I'm not able to give any idea of possible repair cost. Your best bet is to talk to local clock repairers to get an idea of both repair cost and the experience and skill of the repair person.

Your description makes this sound like a grandfather (floor) clock, although you don't say so. If this is the case, you will probably want the clockmaker to come to your home to examine the clock in order to give an estimate (taking him the movement alone will not give him sufficient information on which to base an estimate). You should not expect him to make a service call such as this at no charge, in order to give a free estimate.

Your movement, from the markings you describe, is probably not a make and model that is currently in production. Therefore, there may be an option to either have the movement overhauled or have the clock adapted to take a new movement of a different make. The cost of each of these repairs will probably be similar. A new movement is a better choice IF the clock can be adapted to properly mount it. But there are many cases where adapting to a different movement is very difficult or impossible.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com