You are here:
- Home
- Home/Garden
- Clocks and Watches
- Clocks, Watches
- Franz Hermle, Model 517 Mantle Clock
Clocks, Watches/Franz Hermle, Model 517 Mantle Clock
Advertisement
Question
Dear John,
My wife and I bought a Franz Hermle Model 517 Mantle clock for our fifth wedding anniversary which was in 1984.The clock has run good all these years until last week and while I was winding it a spring broke.
The Clock means a lot to us,can you repair it for us and would you be able to give us a price on fixing it.
Thank You For a Reply,
Phillip (Dave) Vachon
18851 N.E.75th St.
Williston,Florida 32696
Ph.#
Hi, Phillip. I do not give information for parts and service on Allexperts as the forum is geared for advice. Nor do I ask for or give phone contact information on Internet forums such as Allexperts. However, we can discuss your clock if you would like to contact me (email address below) with your email address or better yet, your phone number. I will be glad to call you or I will give you my shop cell phone number. We can make contact tomorrow (Sunday) afternoon or whenever is best for you. I will need the model of the movement (information found on the back plate of the movement at the lower right corner). Let me know.
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.
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
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)
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.