You are here:
- Home
- Home/Garden
- Clocks and Watches
- Clocks, Watches
- ailing Franz Hermle and Sohn 130 070
Clocks, Watches/ailing Franz Hermle and Sohn 130 070
Advertisement
Question
Dear Sir,
)
I apologize, i may be a bit long winded. i recently received a clock with a mechanism made be the Franz Hermle and Sohn company from my in-laws. they got it at a French Flea market many many years ago and it serviced them for many years. But, it stopped working a while back, my father in-law sighting "over winding". Not to mention it was placed on a high book case and then fell of, breaking the casing it is in. The face and the mechanism "seem" to be undamaged but I am no clock smith.
My in laws stated that it used to strike a tune on the hour and chime at the quarter and half hour but as not done such for many a year. In the few days since Christmas that they allowed me to have it, it will only strike twice at the hour and make a click at the half hour. ( it sounds like the chime mechanism wants to activate but does not.) Believing it to be overwound, I allowed the timing spring to unwind and then placed the mechanism face down and allowed the chime spring to also unwind. (nearly driving my wife bonkers with the constant chiming) ( it is beautiful though)
My question is, if i were to re-wind it, how many key turns to not make it "overwound", and how many days should it last? Also, i was finding it to get progressively faster. right now the face and mechanism are without a case. I have designed one and merely need to purchase the wood to create it. (a weekend project) I can only assume that is because the mechanism is not straight upright and leaning on a couple bookends at each side.
I read several of your other posts regarding FHS clocks and they gave me some answers to other questions. (thank you by the way.) The mechanism for the time is a vertical piece. ( I apologize, i can not remember the name from the other post i read). I do have pictures if you need.
Rob, a couple of clarifications. First, the Hermle 130-070 is a German floating balance, spring-driven 8-day movement with a 2 bell bim-bam strike. The floating balance is the regulator. The mainsprings should be wound once a week. Each winding arbor is wound until a large resistance is felt. Generally, it cannot be overwound unless something breaks. It strikes on the half hour and counts out the hour. It does not play a tune.
There could be a couple of things wrong with the movement. The fall could have upset the floating balance and affected the timing. Also, it does need to be straight up to run the proper speed. The strike components consist of what we call a rack and snail mechanism. Any of the components could have been damaged so that the rack only drops down far enough for 2 strikes on the hour and there is not enough lift to trip the half-hour strike. If you can send me a clear digital photo of the front of the movement I might be able to tell what is wrong. My email address is below. Also, if the movement hasn't been serviced in the last 7 to 10 years, the the lubricants could be gummy and/or parts could be worn. It might be best to have an experienced clockmaker look at it. But first, send me the photo if you can.
John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | John was extremely prompt on the response to my question. between the other questions posted to him and my own question i found him to be very knowledgeable about the issues with my clock. i would definitely recommend him to others. | ||
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
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)
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.