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Question
My parents have a Diplomat M1955 with a 220 pendulum purchased in 1987. The house was recently broken into and 1 of the things the idiots did was cut the cable holding the weights and steal the weights. Any idea where the weights and cable system could be purchased? I have all the paper work and even the original purchase order if more info is needed on the clock. Just let me know and Ill get the info.
Fred, I'm certainly sorry about the weights were stolen and the cables damaged. It makes you want to put a sign on the clock and say if you are going to steal the weights, just unhook them. I think we can determine the proper parts to get the clock going again. The first thing I will need to know will be the model of the movement itself. Look on the back plate and send me all the information you can find on it. You will need a set of three weight shell assemblies and the proper lead fillers to go in them. Then you will need the cables. How about the pulleys? Did they leave them or do we need them also? Please respond to my shop email address below and we can discuss the details better, as we might also need to talk by phone.
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.)
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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)
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