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Expert: - 10/5/2010


Question
QUESTION: I have a W. German-made Emperor wall clock.  The numbers on the current movement are 141-071 w/32cm.  When I researched a new movement on the Clockworks website http://www.clockworks.com/hermle/140.html#thumb the photo for this movement has what looks like a bell chime attached to it and a two-arm striker with two screws at the base.  The movement I have looks exactly like the photo shown above it Movement # 141-041 (no bell).  The casing for the clock has the spiral chime movement.  Could you explain the difference?  Why does the 141-071 movement I have look different than the movement at the website?  If I buy as replacement movement, considering the casing, which movement do you think is the proper one?

ANSWER: Gary, these numbers can be confusing, even to clockmakers.  The 141 is basically the plate size.  The -071 is broken down into three digits.  The 0 is the location of the winding arbors, the 7 is hammer position and the 1 is the length of the handshaft and winding arbors.  The 32cm is the "theoretical" pendulum length.  It could be that the bells were removed from your -071 you have to be used as a gong strike. Is it possible for you to send me a digital photo of the back of your movement? My shop email address is below.  I can confirm what you need and I can give you some further details and probably get you the exact replacement model movement.

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.)


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

Movement 171-041
Movement 171-041  
QUESTION: Attached is a pic of movement 141-071 (w/o bell).  Hope it is clear enough.  Is it possible either movement will work, considering the spiral gong in clock casing?  It seems other specs are the same.

Answer
The photo on the Allexperts Website when blown up isn't quite clear enough for me to see some numbers or the possibility that bells had been removed.  It looks like either movement might work.  Can you email at the address above for some more details?

John Newman

Clocks, Watches

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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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