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Clocks, Watches/seiko musical clock

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Expert: - 12/24/2010


Question
Hi: I just returned from living in Okinawa, Japan, where I purchased 2 seiko musical clocks. When I purchased them the store set them for me. Now I have moved back home and cannot figure out how to set the darn things. Instruction are in Japanese. When I open the back of the clock there are three buttons one that is really small on the left,  2- middle size butten in middle, 3- larger size button on right side. When I press button #1 the minute hand and hour turn fast. when I press button #2 it will stop but not where I need it to stop. HELP! if you can.

Answer
Patsy, there are many thousands of these types of clocks manufactured every year.  Some are the same, others differ as far as the functions and programming them.  Even when we are supplied with the model numbers we cannot determine which clocks they are referring to because there is very little available information on them.  At least you have some instructions.  I would suggest that you find someone who can translate Japanese to help you.  As a bizarre suggestion, how about someone in a Japanese restaurant of business?  Other than that I cannot think of anything else.  Sorry I could not do more.

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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