Clocks, Watches/emperor clocks

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Expert: - 6/27/2010


Question
QUESTION: I have a Emperor grandfather clock number 101.  I was wondering if I can swap the Emperor 300 clock movement into that 101 case?

Rick

ANSWER: Rick, the numbers might be a little confusing.  Emperor had case numbers that were not identical, but close.  The cases from the early days were identified as Model 100, 110 and 120.  These were the smaller "grandmother" sizes.  Then they skipped to the 300 and 400 series.  The movements for the grandmother clocks were the 100M, made by Jauch which was a little less than 6" x 6" and the "M" usually stood for the moving moon dial version.  This model had a "77" somewhere on it.  The 101M units which were made by Hermle and also around 6" x 6".  This model was the Hermle 451.  A triple chime movement was the 1051 designation.  Then, for the grandfather movements Usually around 6" x 9", the designations were such as 199, 200. 201, 300, etc and the tubular bell models were numbers like 501 and 901.

I would not think the 300 could be swapped for the smaller 101 unless it was in a case that was large enough to house it.  When swapping movements, sometimes the dials, hands, chime rods, pendulum and weights also have to be changed.  If you can identify the case and send me a photo of it, I could tell you more.  My shop email address is below.

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

Due to the number of Allexperts questions and workload at my shop,
I can only answer Allexperts questions and follow ups in a timely
manner from this email address.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: This is what I'm trying to do. I want to placed this movement. I'm thinking its going to be to big but check it out..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&Item=320553483540&Category=10031&_

into either one of these cases.

1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G7lRCbkO8M&feature=channel

2)

http://www.v6performance.net/gallery/data/500/medium/101_emperor.jpg


Thanks for all your help...

Answer
Rick, do you have a case?  Is it the #2?  The identification of the photo includes a 101 which is the correct designation for the movement, indicating a Hermle 451 movement without a moon dial.  The mood dial version would be the 101M.  The case is an Emperor 120.  The 300 will not fit in that case.  If you will, to discuss this further,contact me at my shop email address to free up the Allexperts question queue.  Thanks

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

Note:  Because of the number of Allexpert questions and follow ups,
and the excessive backlog in my shop, I regret that I can only answer
the Allexperts related questions in a timely manner.

Rick, I have a question about the clock you are wanting to put a movement into.  Can you contact me at my email address <klokdok@juno.com>  Thanks, John Newman

Rick, can you contact me?  I need to ask you something about the clock as soon as you can get back with me.  Thanks, John

Okay, when I received your rating (thank you very much) I got the answer to the question I was looking for.  If you decided that you weren't going to bid on the movement and accessories you referenced, I wanted to bid on it, as I have a use for it.  Ironically, if you you contacted Emperor before sending the question to me through Allexperts, they probably would have referred you to me, as I am the Vintage Emperor Clock Consultant (unofficial).  I was Plant Engineer at Emperor and field most of the questions for them concerning the older products.  I have bought all of their old stock and have instructions for a lot of their old products.  If you do have any questions concerning building up a kit, don't hesitate contacting me.  I have given you my email address in the above answers.

John Newman  

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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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