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Clocks, Watches/Franz Hermle 82 1050-020

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Expert: - 11/4/2011


Question
Franz Hermle 82
Franz Hermle 82  
QUESTION: This clock has not worked for maybe 20 years.  I finally took it off the shelf to get information on the clock for the Internet.  I set the clock face down on the floor while looking for details on the maker.  I found your site, and heard an unusual noise going on.  Looked down at the clock on the floor, and I will be darn, the movement near the top left is turning! I was going to ask about the wind up being overtightened, but now I will wait to see what happens. If something is moving, the tension must be releasing!

I do have the back door of the clock sealed with a foam strip to keep out all dust.

ANSWER: Hi, John.  First, winding a clock to the full wind will not stop it.  Generally a good running clock will run from the full wind.  I consider it "overwound", if something breaks or the key gets bent.  There are three functions, the time, chime and strike.  Facing the front of the clock, the center winding arbor is for the time, the one the right is for the chime and the one on the left is for the strike.  The clock runs, trips the chime function and when the chime completes the hour tune it trips the strike to count out the hour.  Evidently, the chime tripped when you put it down on it's face.  Any clock which has run or not run for 20 years needs to be serviced.  There could be a combination of gummy lubricant and/or worn parts.  I recommend that a clock be serviced every 7 to 10 years.  Servicing includes cleaning, inspecting for worn parts and repairing or replacing them, oiling, testing and regulating.  I would think that the parts would be okay since the clock was only used for 10 years.  As far as sealing the clock to keep the dust out, there is usually not enough dust floating around to have to seal the back door.  If it is not running, it probably needs to be looked at by an experienced clockmaker.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

  

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Any recommendations for servicing of this clock?  I live in Corvallis, OR.

Answer
I have one clocksmith on my list in Oregon.

Tom Crooks, Crooks Clocks,
Wallowa County, Joseph, OR.  
Located in the extreme NE corner of Oregon in the Wallowa Mountains

If you need to get in touch with him and cannot, get back with me at my shop email address below and I'll contact him.

John Newman
THE VILLAGE CLOCKSMITH
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

klokdok@juno.com

(Due to the number of Allexperts questions and
the workload I have at my clock shop, I regret
that I cannot answer personal email questions on a timely basis
other than Allexperts follow ups.)

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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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