Expert: Michael Radi - 4/8/2010

Question
Clock has been working until recently when my husband thought he`d wound it too tightly.  It is oak & gingerbread style.  On back,says Ansonia Clock Co. New York United States of America.  Also says Prize Medal Awarded Paris Exposition, 1878.  Has Trade Mark with diamond enclosing a square with the letter A. Says, June 18 1882, Eight Day Perth Strike.

Interested to know more about this clock & weather it is worth fixing.  Thank you.  Carol

Answer
Ansonia is considered one of the best American clock makers. They made a high quality product and they are very collectable. They made a lot of clocks so they are not rare but they are desirable.
If your clock is in very good condition it should be worth $300 to $400. In my opinion you could spend up to $200 to $250 on repair and be safely within it's value. This does not take into account any sentimental value you have in the clock.
Overwinding a clock is a myth. If the clock is properly maintained, you should be able to wind it up all the way without causing the clock to not run. However if the clock has not been properly lubricated winding the clock all the way up could cause the spring layers to stick together and make the clock stop.
Here is an outline of the maintenance schedule I recommend.
Your clock should be lubricated every two years.
Cleaning of the movement is as required (about every 10 years).
These clocks can run 40 to 60 years without any major work being done on them.
Your clock is very old and may need rebuilding. This all depends on weather or not it has ever been rebuilt and how long it has run. The pivot holes in the clock movement become worn and bushings need to be installed when this happens. A good clock repair person will polish the pivots when installing bushings otherwise they will wear out very quickly again.
Michael
www.norkro.com
clock parts and repair