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Expert: - 12/14/2010


Question
Needs reparied.is it worth it.2jewels.emil schmeckenbecher..west
germany.1050-020. 87 .bought at a yard sale 1.00 looks in great
condition. Sales receipt says.9tambour key.price 149.90. In 1988

Answer
Bonnie, when a customer brings a clock into my shop and asks me if it is worth repairing, I check it out and tell them how much it will cost to service it.  Then I let them decide if it is worth it to them to have it repaired.  You say the case is in good condition and I would say you got a good deal.  I would suspect that Devon is the model name, and the Schmeckenbecher Company built the clock, using a Hermle 1050-20 movement with the Schmeckenbecher name on it.  It is a spring wound 8-day movement which is regulated by a balance wheel and has 3 selected chime melodies.  The original sales receipt you have of the clock is about 1/2 the cost of a new movement installed today.  However, the service cost might be quite a bit less.  Depending on the condition, an experienced clockmaker could check and oil it, or might have to break down the movement, clean, inspect for broken or worn parts, correct any problems, reassemble, oil, adjust, time and test it.  Good luck and I hope you enjoy your good buy.

John Newman
The Village Clocksmith
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama  

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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