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Clocks, Watches/pendulum does not move

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Expert: - 1/8/2011


Question
My mother had moved into a new home.  The person who helped with the move took off the pendulum and weights off the cables in the move.  The clock is about 25 years old.  So when i visited my mom she asked me to look at it.  (I told her it was beautiful, lol) The weights are back on the cables and the pendulum has been hung back up, but the clock will not run.  There is a stamp on the back "King Arthur - 1161-850AS / 94cm".  What direction do I need to go in? What minor adjustments can I do to get the clock operating?

Thanks for your advice in advance,

Answer
Kris, The movement you have was made by Hermle for King Arthur.  Check to make sure the hands are not touching each other or the dial.  Next is to check the pendulum hanging arrangement.  There is a horizontal suspension post at the top back of the movement.  A small thumbscrew holds the suspension spring (about the size of a small razor blade) and the suspension spring should not be crimped or broken.  From the suspension spring hangs a leader, about 6" long.  From it hangs the pendulum.  The hanger attaches to an arm (called the crutch) that comes out of the hole in the top back of the movement.  The crutch either with a pin at the bottom or a horizontal piece that looks like a sewing machine foot.  If it is a pin it fits through a slot in the leader, or if it is the horizontal piece the leader fits in the groove of the foot.  The clock also needs to be in beat with an even tick tock.  It should go tick....tock....tick....tock.  If it goes tick..tock......tick..tock, it is out of beat and will stop.  I believe your clock movement has an auto beat adjustment.  If you carefully hold the pendulum over to one side and release it, the beat will be set automatically.  If it still doesn't run I would look to see if the cable has tracked properly on the cable drum in the movement.  This sometimes happens when the weights are removed and the clock is moved.  If the cable is crossed or over the winding arbor it will have to be corrected by and experienced clockmaker.  This is the center one and rather difficult to see.  I sometimes have to use a mirror and flashlight to look up under the movement in the case.  If you have wound the clock without any resistance to the winding, then it is probably okay.  Check these things out and let me know how it goes.  If it still does not work, get back with me.

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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