Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 7/19/2009

Question
I just received my father's Hamilton Mantle clock. It was new in 1989. Stamped on the back: Hamilton two (2) Jewels, unajusted, made in West Germany  340-020.  The left side winding post does not wind. The key turns but doesn't seem to wind anything. The clock does keeps time. It also chimes at quarter to the hour instead of the hour. I have never had a clock like this and do not want to do anything to damage it.

Answer
the left is the hour strike spring which seems like it is broken or un-hooked from the winding arbor inside the barrel.

center keeps the clock ticking and right side is the quarter chime spring.

if the center and the right are wound up it should do the Westminster tune chime at each quarter - 4 decending notes at 1/4 after and then adding 4 each quarter till 16 note tune chime on the hour and then no hour strike (in your case)--Don't know what you mean about chiming at quarter to the hour as it should be doing something every quarter???

Advise me further