Expert: John Newman - 10/23/2010

Question
Movement ID: Back on right 78 0451-050, Hermle. I am assuming the clock is a Model 100M due to an Ebay search and finding one exactly like the this one.
My dad built this grandfather clock in late 1960's for everyone to enjoy. I was 14 or 15 at the time and helped him by fetching tools and what not. Now that my Dad is in a nursing home this clock has a lot of sentimental value to me. It was running fine until it was moved to my house. I got it running successfully many times, but now it is out of sync. (chimes on the wrong hour, runs slow). Since I don't have a manual, I am also not sure which weight goes on the left, center or right chain, facing the clock.
I was usually successful at getting the clock working, by moving the hands forward, 15 minutes at a time.
Now the clock chime is really messed up. It chimes at will, sometimes less than 15 minutes apart and the hour chimes twice or more within the hour.
My question is...Would you recommend a replacement of the movement given the age or could you recommend someone in the Atlanta are for repair?

Thanks,
Tom

Answer
Tom, the eBay listing could have been incorrect.  The Emperor 100M is a Jauch "77" movement, whereas the Hermle 451-050 is a 101M.  The one you have was manufactured in 1978.  Being 32 years old, and if it hasn't been serviced in the last 7 to 10 years, it could be that the lubricants are gummy and/or some parts are worn.  Usually, when a clock chimes or strikes out of the normal quarter hours or hour, it can be due to the hesitation in starting, caused by the factors I mentioned above.  Unless I saw the movement, I would not be able to determine whether it needed servicing or replacing.  If you will contact me at my shop email address, I can have you check a couple of things you can look for to see if it has excessive wear.  The way I do that is to look at the movement and determine what needs to be done and give the customer an estimate as compared to replacing it.  I always let the customer make the decision.  I do offer suggestions from the experience I have had in doing this.  I do not have any information on clockmakers in the Atlanta area.  On customer in Atlanta either brings his clocks or sends them to me.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

klokdok@juno.com

Note:  Because of the number of Allexpert questions and follow ups,
and the excessive backlog in my shop, I regret that I can only answer
the Allexperts related questions in a timely manner.