Clocks, Watches/Ridgeway clock

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Expert: - 1/8/2010


Question
Ok... I have a Ridgeway clock that i am trying to get a pendulum for. I believe that it is a Grandmother clock because it is not large enough to be a grandfather clock. I have searched and searched on the internet and can not find anything about this particular clock, or even a picture of another one like it. I will give you all the information that I have on the clock, and I hope that you will be able to help me. In the owners manual it says "The Ridgeway Clock Has An "E" or "G" Movement, The Old Warranty card is still in the bottom of the clock with this information on it...Model Number 309, Movement E, Finish White, Serial Number 560. Inside the top door of the clock is a sticker that says The Connoiseur Collection By Ridgeway. The address on the Reply envelope is Ridgeway Division, Gravely Furniture Co., Inc, Ridgeway, Virginia 24148. The clock has a green velvet like backing around the clock and behind the weights and where the pendulum should be.  That is about all I know. Any info you can find would have to help me. Thanks so much for your time and help, it is greatly appreciated!!! Thanks, Ashley

Answer
Ashley, there is very little published information on modern production clocks, concerning configurations such as movements, pendulum, etc.  I have the last reference book put out by Ridgeway in 1997.  The 2002 clock catalogs I have use 4-digit numbers for the clock models, so yours with a 2-digit number is probably quite a bit older.  It had been quite some time since Ridgeway was a division of Gravely.  Ridgeway is no longer in business and was bought out by Howard Miller in 2005.  In my movement reference there is no reference to an "E" or "G" movement.  The only reference codes are 2-digit.  However, the important information I would need can be found on the back plate of the movement.  If you can send me all the information you find there, I can probably determine what pendulum you need.  It would also help if you could send me a clear digital photo of the back of the movement showing the pendulum hanging configuration.  My shop email address is below.

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

(Due to the number of Allexperts questions and
the workload I have at my clock shop, I regret
that I cannot answer personal email questions on a timely basis
other than Allexperts follow ups.)

Clocks, Watches

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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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