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Clocks, Watches/Matching hour hand to chimed hour

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Expert: - 12/28/2010


Question

King Arthur Clock
Dear John,
How do we get our clock to chime the correct hour?  We have a King Arthur "grandmother" clock according to my husband's mother.  The inscription on the back of the mechanism is:

      84
  King Arthur
Fairhope, AL 36532

   451-050H

   __94cm__
      66

It has chimed the correct hour for years, but after the last time we "fell back" for daylight savings time and readjusted because I forgot to wind it, the hour was chiming 1 o'clock, when the hands said 3 o'clock.  We don't want to break this Southern Belle!  I have a feeling you know what we should do as you were "engineering consultant at Emperor Clock Company in Fairhope, Alabama" not that long ago!  (The manual is filed somewhere where I can't locate it!)
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kathy

Answer
Hi, Kathy.  At some time the hour hand was probably inadvertently slipped around while
setting the time with the minute hand.  To correct this, turn the minute hand until the
clock strikes the hour.  Count the number of strikes.  Slip the hour hand to that hour.  
Then, using the minute hand, set the clock to the correct time.  This should do it.  If you have any more questions, get back with me.


John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama  

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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