You are here:

Clocks, Watches/Aminex 31 day clock

Advertisement

Expert: - 3/5/2010


Question
I was given a 31 day Aminex Clock and after hanging the clock and setting it.  It will not chime.  It was working fine when my Aunt gave it to me.  Also, How do you set the hand that is for the date.  My aunt had just wound it before we picked it up.  What can I do to fix it?
Thank You, Vicki Dotts

Answer
Vicki, I am not familiar with the Aminex name.  If it is a clock that runs 31 days, I would think that this an Asian clock.  I have to ask if the clock was actually wound?  Sometimes people try to wind the clock in the wrong direction and since it won't wind, think it is fully wound.  I have taken a few service calls for this problem.  When the minute hand reaches the hour do you hear a click?  If you do, something is hung up keeping it from striking.  Also on some of these clocks there is a lever that keeps the clock from striking.  If none of this does it, there could be an internal problem which would require the removal of the dial to see what is failing.  It is located inside the case just under the dial.  

Is the calendar pointer the type that points to the date around the outer edge of the dial?  If so, to set it you gently move the pointer to the day of the month.  If the date changes in the middle of the day you have to set the clock forward 12 hours.  If a month has 28, 29 or 30 days, you have to reset the calendar pointer at the first of the month.  I hope this helps.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

Clocks, Watches

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

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)

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.