Expert: Martin Meyer - 1/9/2010

Question
Dear Martin, My Schmeckenbecher 8 day 2 weight wall clock with #s 76 261-030A left side under logo, and 88 200 55cm right back plate. The pro who maintained this recently died. The clock has begun to intermittently disengage the hour hand at 8 o'clock, sometimes re-engaging. The hand swings freely when this happens.
Otherwise we know the time is correct from the chime and minute hand. Can this be repaired? Thanks.

Answer
Hi Bruce,

There are a couple possibilities here. One is that the hour hand has simply become loose on its shaft, and falls freely at some times. Check the hand on its shaft and make certain that it is tight on the shaft. If necessary, push the hand on a bit tighter.

If the hand is firmly on its shaft, and it is the shaft as well as the hand which falls loose, then the problem is in a series of gears on the front main plate of the movement, called the motion work. A number of things can cause these gears to get out of engagement with each other. There could be broken gear teeth on the gear which is mounted at the back of the hour hand shaft, or the gears could not be engaging each other due to an improper front-to-back line up. Check that the nut or taper pin which holds the minute hand onto its shaft is not missing and is tight. Beyond this, the problem will require removing the dial and hands and repairing the motion work. This should be done by a professional clock repairer.  http://www.clockmasteronline.com