Expert: Michael Radi - 8/21/2009

Question
Hi,

Last year I contacted you about a battery operated mechanism inside a Schatz  ships bells clock.  At that time the  bells were not ringing in the proper order.  With your assistance, I was able to adjust the gears and get it going.  Now...it gets stuck every twelve hours.  If I move the big hand a few minutes forward its fine for another twelve hours.  I've tried taking the hands off to make sure they weren't getting stuck and they don't seem to be the problem.  I have watched the mechanism and cannot see anything getting jammed up.  I am about to spend the $85 on a new hermle, but thought I'd ask you first.  Any ideas?  (my old question is still available on the site, complete with a picture of the front and back of the mechanism).

thank you!
Suzanne

Answer
When a clock stops every 12 hours it is usually the strike or the handshafts. Your strike duplicates everything every 4 hours so I doubt if it is in the strike. The only thing I know of that goes around every 12 hours is your hour hand. That is where I would concentrate. It may be a bad gear inside the movement or some other mechanical malfunction.
If you don't see anything obvious it's time for a new movement.
Michael
www.norkro.com