Expert: John Newman - 1/13/2010

Question
I have a Seth Thomas with a movement that is replaceable with the hermle 350-060 movement. The clock is roughly 35 years old and does not run.  I am sure that a clean and lube job would fix it, but have read numerous statements that suggest I should just buy a new movement as the best long term solution.  I have found one for $170.  What's your expert opinion on what I should do.  The clock sat up for years so I feel confident that the movement has little wear.

Answer
Dave, first, you are correct that the movement is replaceable.  Hermle did make this movement and many other models for Seth Thomas.  I would not give a general statement that it is better to replace rather than restore a  clock movement without looking at it.  What I do with my customers is to give then a comparison on what it would cost to restore it an what a new installed movement would cost.  Then they can make the decision.  There are pros and cons to both sides.  The price you quote for the movement sounds like a wholesale price with no installation.  You can do the replacement yourself.  Sometimes the mounting feet are different and have to be changed out and the chime hammers have to be aligned.  If you do the installation yourself and it isn't functioning correctly, will the person that sold it to you be able to guide you through the diagnostic steps?  Just a point of information, I do not accept movements for installation that someone bought somewhere else, as if there is a problem, my opinion might be that the movement is defective and the supplier might say that I installed it incorrectly.  I had rather install my own movement, then there is no question and I handle the warranty or fix at no additional charge.  One more thing is that if your movement is 35 years old and has not had periodic service, it might be well worn and the best thing to do is to replace it.  I usually suggest to my customers that if the restoration cost reaches 75% of the replacement cost, it might be best to replace it.  Understand that I am referring to what I call modern production clocks that have direct replacement units.  I seldom will do this with an antique clock unless there are extenuating circumstances, of which I could write a book.


I hope this helps a little.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

Dave, thanks for the nice comments.  I welcome visitors.  If you might be coming this way, email me at my shop email address below.  We can make contact that way.  I'm in and out on service calls. but if I know you're headed over, I'll make sure to be here.

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.)