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Clocks, Watches/Elgin anniversary clock

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Expert: - 3/19/2010


Question
My father's Elgin anniversary clock does not chime after I set it up for day light time.  I also changed the battery.  It was a gift to my parents in the 80's.  It is quartz.  There is no book on how to set it.  There are 2 buttons on the back, one has an H below it and the other has an 8 below it.  It was chiming but it was the wrong number, so I pushed the H button, the number of times it was off, but I was off 2 hours, so I pushed it a couple of more times.  It would not chime after that.

Answer
Donna, I'm sorry but I just don't have the setting codes for all of the quartz programmable clocks that were made.  It seems like they all had their own codes.  I could possibly figure it out if I had it in my hands, but I have run across some that I could not do.  You might try removing the batteries for a few seconds and then try again.  The "H" seems like it would be for advancing the hour strike, but I don't know what the "8" would be.  One of the other clock experts my be able to help you.  I know one does not include quartz clocks in his field.

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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