Clocks, Watches/1972 Emperor clock

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Expert: - 8/22/2009


Question
Hi John,
I have just purchased a circa 1972 emperor grandfathers clock. The woman I bought it from said it was working when they removed the weights a few years back. My question to you is how do I wind it? After leveling the clock, and re attaching the weights (they were marked as to which went where) I don't know where to go from there. The movement is the 200M. Any advise would be great.
Thanks for your time.....................Scott

Answer
Scott,  You have an eight-day clock which means that you wind it once a week, or every 7 days.  I think the movement you have has cables and pulleys from which the weights hang.  However, I'm not sure as my reference material is at my shop.  It is possible that it uses chains.  If it is the cable model, there should be a crank to slip in the three winding holes in the dial.  If the crank is missing, let me know and I can advise you on where to obtain one.  You can contact me at my shop email address below.  To wind, you turn the crank until the weights are at the top of the door frame.  It does not matter in what order you wind the cables.  Start winding gently, as removing the weights and transporting a clock can cause the cables to jump the winding drums and tangle.  If you try to wind it and the cables jam, further winding can damage the cables.  In case this does happen, an experienced clockmaker would be needed to correct the problem.  If the clock uses chains, just pull down on each chain end and raise the weights to the top of the door frame.  Pull straight down on the chain, taking care not to bump the pendulum.  Also, as some people incorrectly suggest, you do not have to lift on the bottom of the weights to do this.  If one is in a hurry to do this, sometime the weights are lifted faster than the chains are pulled and the weights come unhooked and fall through the bottom of the clock.  I have taken many service calls for repairing cases and removing the dents or replacing the weights.  One further note,  If the clock has been sitting for a few years or has not serviced in the last 7 to 10 years, It is possible that it might not run, chime or strike reliably and would need servicing.  Good luck and I hope it does work and you enjoy it.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com  

(General Note:  Due to the commitment I have for answering Allexperts questions and follow-up information,
and the excessive backlog at my shop, I regret that I cannot answer other questions from
this email address in a timely manner)

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John Newman

Expertise

As much as I would like to offer values of clocks, I am not a certified appraiser and will not venture into giving an unresearched guess. There is very little published information on what I consider to be the value of "modern production clocks". Considerations are what the clock originally sold for, the condition of the case and movement, and particularly the area in which you live, the demand and the economy. ALSO, WATCHES ARE NOT MY FIELD. However, I can advise the clock owner on proper maintenance of a clock to keep it running, small corrections and adjustments and how to move a clock without damaging it. I can also advise on obtaining parts for clocks. It helps if you can send any information on the clock movement which is usually found on the back plate of the movement. I have been a clockmaker for about 35 years and was plant engineer in the mid 90's and later operations and engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama. I now have my own clock shop.

Experience

One of my greatest accomplishments was traveling to China to assist a clock factory in building clocks to the standards which we required. With the proper specifications and quality control, some beautiful clock cases were built. The factory people from the wood carvers to the plant manager were very congenial, friendly and I left a lot of wonderful friends when I returned from my trips.

Organizations
Chamber of Commerce Small Business Committee

Publications
Horological Times, a publication of the American Watch and Clockmakers Instute. Collaberated column author, with Photos and ideas for clock movement conversion article.

Education/Credentials
Associate of Science Mechanical Engineering Technology Emperor Introductory Clock Repair (Eventually taught a portion of the class after becoming employee)

Awards and Honors
Small Business of the Quarter (Prattville, Alabama) Leadership Class of 2009 (Autauga County, Alabama)

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