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Clocks, Watches/re-setting Westminister Chime on clock

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Expert: - 11/8/2010


Question
QUESTION: Good morning. During our normal changing the clocks in our
home for the recent time change on Sat. 11/6, we noticed
that the Westiminster Chime that normally chimes on each
hour, now chimes at approx. 12 minutes after the hour. Is
there any way to get the chime back in sync with the time
and if so how do I go about doing that? We have had the
clock for many years and never have had a problem in past
years each season when making the time change adjustments.
Your help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you and have a
good day.

ANSWER: Richard, is your clock a mechanical wind up or a quartz battery powered model?  When you say the Westminster chime normally chimes on the hour, this indicates a quartz clock.  If it is mechanical clock, it will chime on all 4 quarters and strike out the hour.  This does make a difference in how the problem happened and how to fix it.  If it a mechanical clock, it is possible that I will need to know the name of the clock and the model number of the movement.  The model number can be determined by the information on the back plate of the movement.  Let me know.  

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama



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

QUESTION: Thank you for your prompt reply. The clock is battery-powered.  

Answer
Okay, there are many different types of quartz movements.  Is this a Hermle movement that is powered by 2 C-cell batteries?  If it is I can tell you how to sync the minute hand.  If not, I'm afraid I will not be able to help you as there are so many possibilities with other movements, that setting the minute hand could cause some damage.  Most of the minute hands are keyed and secured by a hand nut.  If yours is just a slip on hand, you cold wait until the hour chimes (12 minutes after the hour), remove the hand and put it back on at the hour.  I have a feeling it is not that type.  If you can give me the model number or send a clear photo to me, I might be able to check with some members of my Internet Clocksmiths Group.  My email address is below and if you will reply to that, it will free up the queue of my Allexperts questions.


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.)

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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