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Clocks, Watches/Franz Hermle mantle clock

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Expert: - 11/30/2011


Question
QUESTION: Dear Mr. Newman, We have a 350-060, 2 Jewels, 3 hole,Mantle clock. Chimes increase each quarter hour and then it tolls the hour.  It is running fast and we need help in adjusting the speed. Will we need special tools for any adjustment?  We appreciate any help you can give us to enjoy our clock.  Thank you.

ANSWER: Hi, Bernard.  There are two types of regulators found on the Hermle 350.  The original ones had a floating balance with a vertical spiral spring over the balance wheel.  The later versions have a horizontal hairspring over the balance wheel.  If it is the horizontal balance wheel, there is a little screw at the top right of the assembly.  You would turn the screw clockwise (looking for the back) to reduce the rate.  One complete turn of the screw changes the rate about 1 minute per day.  The floating balance is a little more complicated.  If you have that type, I can send a diagram showing how to adjust it.  These regulators are rather delicate, so care has to be used when adjusting them.  One thing to keep in mind, and that is that sometimes the adjustment has not caused the clock to increase in speed.  Gummy lubricants or debris in the regulator can cause change in rate.  If this is the case, the clock probably has to be serviced, using special lubricants (if at all) and cleaning procedures.  Let me know what kind of regulator you have and we can go from there.

John Newman
The Village Clocksmith
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama



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

QUESTION: I appreciate your quick response. The mantel clock has the horizontal spring so I'll be turning it to the right.  It gains about 15 minutes per day.  Hopefully turning it that many times will solve the problem. All the mechanism is new as of 2005 and has never been in an environment to accumulate a residue ( I hope)  Thank you for the help.

Answer
Bernard, I apologize, but I did not ask you how fast it was gaining.  Now that I know it is the balance wheel type, I don't know how it got off that much as the adjustment goes.  A common cause of it running that fast is that there is a bit of dust or debris in the pivots of the balance staff (the ends of the shaft that rest in the bushings).  Another cause is that there is oil on the coils of the hairspring or a couple of the coils are touching each other as it oscillates.  Any of this shortens the oscillations resulting in it running faster.  Did it start gaining time gradually or abruptly?  I will say that there is an occasional problem with these balance wheels.  Some of us on the Clocksmiths Internet Group are discussing this problem and are talking with the factory.  Please keep me informed on your progress so I can analyze it.  My shop email address is below.

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.

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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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