Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 7/31/2009

Question
Hello,

I have just purchased a Sligh 23 year old grandfather clock from a consignment shop about which I am very excited.  It is model #0941-1-AB, Movement # 103-A03, Reg # .  I don't know how much it is worth or cost new, but I feel that we got a good deal at $420.  We got it home and replaced the weights (correctly) and pendulum and it is in working order, however, the chiming is 2 hours off, i.e. when it is 4:00 for example, it chimes as if it is 6:00.  When I set it, I let it chime fully at each quarter, 1/2 and hour and I know that one should not turn the hands backwards, but I don't know how to adjust it to chime the right # of times.  It has been set up and running for 9 hours, but it has not corrected itself which I though newer clocks would do.  I did notice that the person in the store who appeared not to have a clue ran it past the hour at least once without letting it chime. Can you let me know how to set it properly?

Also, I was told that it was serviced about 4 years ago (no details about the the "type" of service).  Should it be serviced at regular intervals and if so, what type of servicing?  I want to ensure that it continues to work for many more years.

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Sherry Jones

Answer
move the hour hand (short one) to agree and point at the number on the dial the same as the number of strikes the clock bongs. Reset the correct time with the minute hand as usual-forward or backward and no need to wait for the chime(the 1/4 chime is self correcting,not the hour strike)

A German company made the movement and their numbers are stamped on the back of the mechanism itself and the mechanism is still in production. No routine service makes economic sense- call a pro if you have a problem and 23 years is average life before a major overhaul or replacement is typically needed, but yours may do better. If the woodwork is nice a $500 bill for a new mechanism to get another 23 years of service is not a bad deal at all, when and if needed.