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Clocks, Watches/Seth Thomas Ships Clock.

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Expert: - 7/19/2010


Question
I just have received by handing down of this Ships Clock and I think it is some where about 200yrs old. It was on a ship built 1901. I can't get it to run. It has a key to it. I would like it fixed. Can you work on it. We live in Opelika,Ala. Thank you.

Answer
Kathy, my references show that the first Seth Thomas spring powered clocks appeared around 1855, and, in looking up their ships clocks, the earliest went back to 1900.  There could have been earlier ones.  I am sorry, but because of my large backlog of shop work, I cannot take any more work in for some time.  I have a clockmaker friend in Opelika, but I understand he is not taking in work either.  If you are over in the Prattville area, I would be glad to take a look at it.  Sometimes I can spot a minor problem and fix it while you wait.  You can contact me at my shop email address below and I will give you my phone number.  As a general rule, I do not ask for or give personal information on the Internet.

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

(Due to the number of Allexperts questions and
the workload I have at my clock shop, I regret
that I cannot answer personal email questions on a timely basis
other than Allexperts follow ups.)  

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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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