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Clocks, Watches/Bentima clock will not chime/stike

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Expert: - 10/12/2011


Question
Hello, I have been given my mother's 8 day Bentima westminster clock. It works OK but I am not able to get it to chime or strike. I cannot turn the key wind ups for either chime or strike. It seems that they are both fully wound up. There is a lever by the 3 to turn onthe chime/strike but I cannot get it to work.  The clock keeps perfect time and I wind it up every 7/8 days.
Please can you help ?

Thank you.116cs

Answer
Brian, if the clock hasn't been serviced in the last 7 to 10 years it could be that the lubricants have become gummy and/or there are some worn parts.  The chime function is usually the first to fail in these conditions.  As the strike is dependent on the chime completing the hour chime, it will not work either.  You might want to look in the back of the clock and see if the chime hammers are all aligned at rest.  If not, you can try to gently rock the chime cam drum back and forth after moving the minute hand past the hour and hearing it click.  That might free up a jam.  But with the chime/silent lever locked up, I'm not sure if that would help.  I am not familiar with the brand Bentima, but the movement would probably have been made by another company, but the above explanation would probably be the same.  The best thing to do would be to take it to an experienced clockmaker, as the movement or dial will have to be removed to observe what is happening in the movement.  Sorry I cannot help you more.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama  

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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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