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Clocks, Watches/emperor clock No idea what Im doing..help please

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Expert: - 1/17/2010


Question

back of movement
Hi, I purchased a Grandfather clock at an auction and was told all the parts were there. Well... I think I was misinformed. It says Emperor on the face, so does that mean its an Emperor clock? sorry for my ignorance, Im just confused cause the back says something different. On back reads. UN03015B ..281409....Urgo5 Germany. We dont have any directions the auctioneer made it sound like I would have it together 1..2..3.. we were able to slide the movement of the clock back into where its supposed to go but we dont see anywhere to hang the pendillum. so I think a piece is missing. I dont even know what to call it?? I will attach a picture of the back of the movement. please let me know if something is missing. I just dont know what to do. the other thing is thelong straight rods that make the music one or two are touching each other. can that be straightened out? Thanks so much for any help you can provide Debbie

Answer
Debbie, it is an Emperor clock with an Urgos movement.  Emperor did not make movements, but used movements over the years such as Hermle, Jauch, Kieninger and Urgos.  Jauch and Urgos are out of business, but Urgos was bought out by Hermle and they are producing some Urgos models.  Of the discontinued movements, there are conversions available for replacement.  As for your Urgos, it needs a suspension spring and a hanger.  The suspension spring is of the type with black plastic top and bottom blocks.  The hanger is about 6" or 7" long, depending on the type.  Look in the bottom of the clock case for the hanger.  That's where a lot of them end up.  I do have the parts in stock or can list some suppliers after I determine which parts you need.  If you will, to free up the Allexperts question queue, email me at my shop email address below will give you some details.

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.)

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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