You are here:
- Home
- Home/Garden
- Clocks and Watches
- Clocks, Watches
- Setting the grandfather clock
Clocks, Watches/Setting the grandfather clock
Advertisement
Question
I have an Emperor Clock Model 201M or 301M that my father built for me in 1979. It runs beautifully but with a grandchild's help (who wound the clock hands backward to set the clock...) it now chimes one hour off the correct time. I have tried every thing I can think of with no success. Can you explain to me how to straighten this out so that 10 o'clock chimes 10 instead of 11? Help! And thank you.
Sally, your clock has a safe back movement, which means it is okay to turn the minute hand backwards to set it. What happened is while doing this, the hour hand was inadvertently moved out of position. To correct this, turn the minute hand through quarters, letting each chime complete the notes. When you come to the hour, let the chime complete and then count the strikes. Carefully slip the hour hand to the hour that just struck and then use the minute hand to set it to the correct time. That should do it, and if you have any more questions, get back with me.
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.
- Add to this Answer
- Ask a Question
| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | The answer came quickly. The solution worked wonderfully. My clock is now chiming the correct time and I thank you very much for making yourself available to help me out. I would certainly recommend you and this service! | ||
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.