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Clocks, Watches/Emporer Clock Movement Model 299/94CM

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Expert: - 8/28/2010


Question
John,
I recently inherited a grandfather clock and all is working fine.  All is working fine except the Moon Phase dial does not move.  Can this be an easy repair I cold make or should it be taken to a more qualified person for repair.  Thank you,  Jim B

Answer
James, Emperor used two types of moon dial drives, the earlier ones being driven by a tab on the hour tube of the movement which lifted the advance lever on the dial itself.  This happened twice a day as the hour hand made two complete turns a day.  The lever could be misaligned.  There is also a detent spring which rests in the teeth of the moon dial.  It could be jammed.  Since you mention a 94 cm movement, this is probably a gear drive which is driven from a gear on the hour tube which drives 3 gears on the moon dial.  The third wheel (gear) has a pin on it which engages a tooth on the moon dial to advance it once a day.  The drive gear on the hour tube could have become loose or misaligned, but the most common cause is the pin breaking off the third wheel. If you can look behind the dial, you might be able to see if the wheels are misaligned or if the pin is broken off.  If you have the ability to separate the dial from the movement and the pin is broken, I can advise you on the repair.  Let me know.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

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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