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Clocks, Watches/Cuckoo clock not marking hours

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Expert: - 9/8/2010


Question
Hi - I have just bought at auction a cuckoo clock made by
Regula, looks to be maybe 20 years old? It has the cuckoo at
the top and a wheel with 4 people ohn it that rotates, also
a swiss musical movement that plays Eidelweiss.
I got it going and it keeps good time, and when I take the
back off and depress the lever the cuckoo sounds and the
gong,  then the music plays, but nothing happens by itself.
I've checked that the on off switch is set - when the cuckoo
is calling or the music playing I've tried moving the on off
switch but it doesn't stop or start the cuckoo and music.
Is there a simple answer as everything seems to work just
doesn't appear to be connected!
Many thanks in advance
Laura

Answer
Laura, cuckoo clocks have a lot of wires and levers to control the cuckoo sound, strike, door opening, cuckoo bird coming out, music box playing and people dancing.  A lot of these functions are interactive and everything has to be adjusted and aligned just right.  I would have to watch what is going on to see what is wrong.  I think it would be best to have an experienced clockmaker look at it.  There seems to be some clockmakers that don't want to work on them, but if they are experienced, I don't see why.  Sorry I could not give you a better answer.

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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