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Clocks, Watches/Emperor Clock Model 200M 300M

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Expert: - 10/22/2010


Question
QUESTION: I have an Emperor Clock that we received as a gift in 1976.
The clock worked great until about 2 weeks ago.  I stopped the clock one night so that it wouldn't hinder visitors.  When I started the clock I did not let the clock chime on the 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and hour, I just set it to the right time of day.  Since then, it goes through a very long process of chimes (over and over again)  I have tried to reset it according to the book instructions but no luck.

I need HELP.
Thank you for your time.

Susan

ANSWER: Susan, I don't think you did anything wrong.  Sometimes the chimes or strike will lock up when the minute hand is moved past the trip points, but that can be corrected easily.  However, your chimes are starting and won't stop.  I take it you mean the chime (melody on the quarters) and not the strike (counts out the hour).  I have a 300M (200M is the Westminster chime, 300M is the triple chime) and I cannot duplicate the problem by running the hands around and not waiting for each quarterly chime to complete.  There are a couple of levers or cams that could be loose or out of alignment.  Does the chime continue until the weight is all the way down or does it stop before that?  Do you have any more symptoms?  I will keep trying to think what can be done short of having to remove the dial, which is getting close to having an experienced clockmaker look at it.  Get back with me.  One more thing,  If the clock hasn't been serviced in the last 7 to 10 years, the lubricants could have become gummy and it might be inhibiting the stop mechanism at the end of the chime cycle.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama




---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: You said:Does the chime continue until the weight is all the way down or does it stop before that?  Do you have any more symptoms?  

The chime continues until the weight is all the way down.


Answer
Susan, as I am fairly sure there is either a lever or cam out of position or a pin called a chime stop pin that is broken.  It looks like you will have to have an experienced clockmaker look at it.  I just cannot think of anything else.

John Newman

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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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