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Clocks, Watches/chime/minute hand aren't in sync

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Expert: - 3/30/2010


Question
Hello,  I have an old (100yrs) grandfather clock.  All was well until this morning when I realized I missed my weekly winding and it had stopped on its own.  Unfortunately, the hour hand was covering the spot where I insert the key to wind it.  I decided to remove the dial hands to enable better access.  I was successful in being able to wind the clock but now it chimes 10 minutes before the hour.  (My clock chimes for the hour and once for the half hour.  Before I remove the hands again and cause greater harm, I decided to ask you for your advice as to how I should remedy this situation. I've scanned previous Q&A and haven't exactly seen this situation. The hour hand doesn't seem to come off of the face, it pulls out and disengages from the cog wheel on the back.  Also, once I get this solved, is there a better solution to my original problem about winding the clock in the event it should ever happen again?  Thanks!

Answer
Patty, it seems as though the minute hand could have been used to change the time so the hour hand wasn't in front of the winding hole.  I have occasionally tried to remove hour hands from an old clock and the gear on the hour hand assembly has pulled a retaining washer off or slipped past it.  It has to be realigned as does the minute hand to get them back in alignment.  This usually requires the services of an experienced clockmaker.  I don't know if I could tell you how to do it even if I saw photos of the set up.  I don't know how you saw the cog wheel (gear?# unless you removed the dial.  Let me know what you did.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
klokdok@juno.com  

#General Note:  Due to the commitment I have for answering Allexperts questions and follow-up information,
and the excessive backlog at my shop, I regret that I cannot answer other questions from
this email address in a timely manner)  

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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