Clocks, Watches/Welby mantle clock

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Expert: - 7/25/2010


Question
Due to my mother's passing, I've received a Welby mantle clock.  I'm thrilled to own one, but have some questions about its functioning.  On the back of the movement is:  78, Welby Division, Elgin National watch co., Two (2) jewels, unadjusted, Made in West Germany, 340-020.   It has 5 rods(?)
  I would venture to say it is a 1978.  It has 2 jewels (what actually is a jewel?). It seems to chime correctly,with some slight hesitation, but does not even "try" to strike on the hour.It has 3 winding locations with the left most not winding/tensioning up much at all.Thank you in advance for your response!

Answer
Roland, you are correct. the movement was manufactured in 1978.  It is a Hermle movement made for Welby.  It has a floating balance as a regulator.  At the top back of the movement is the balance wheel which is attached to a thin tube.  The tube has a jewel in each end with a hole in it.  A piece of thin wire goes through the holes in the jewels and the whole assembly rotates back and forth on the wire.  The jewels are synthetic and have no jewel value.  I don't know how long ago the movement was serviced, but the slowness of the chime can be a result of gummy lubricants and/or worn parts.  If the left winding arbor for the strike# is not winding, it could be that the mainspring has broken and needs to be replaced.  It would be best to have an experienced clockmaker look at it.  I'm afraid there is nothing that you can do yourself.  If you cannot find a clockmaker, let me know the area in which you live and I will see if there are any members of our Internet Clocksmiths Group near you.

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.  

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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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