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Clocks, Watches/Hermle 1051-830 movement

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Expert: - 12/8/2011


Question
Upon retirement I took up clock making as a hobby. I understand the Hermle 1051-830 movement is a triple chime, cable/spring driven movement with 8 hammers on the side. Which function is spring driven? What are the dimensions of the Movement? Is it avaible with a pendulum length of 85CM? What are the weight requirments for the cable drive?     Thank You For Your Time!

Answer
Hi, Les.  Welcome to the world of clock repair!  We need clockmakers!  You are correct about the details of the movement.  In answering additional information, the time train (center) is cable driven.  It uses a single pulley with hangers for 2 weights which weight a total of just over 6#.  The left (Strike) and right (Chime) trains are spring driven.  I believe that this model can be obtained in an 85 cm configuration.  The dimensions of the plates are 220mm X 220mm and is 4-3/4" deep, including the hammers and handshaft.  If you need, I can try to determine the overall dimensions in more detail.  

The model code of the Hermle movements goes something like this (from my memory, as I am not at my shop):

1051-830

Of the first 4 numbers:

The first three digits "105" indicate the size of the movement and the type of chime strike.  The 4 digits indicate a triple chime configuration and 3 digits are Westminster or single hammer gong type.

The last digit, "1" indicates a pendulum regulator.  A "0" would indicate a balance wheel regulator.

Of the second group of numbers:

The "83" indicates the hammer location.  The "0" indicates the handshaft length.  There are three configurations "0", "1" and "3".

After these two groups of numbers, if the first group ends in "1", it will be a pendulum type and there will be a line such as "85cm" which will indicate the pendulum length (theoretical, not actual) for which the movement is geared.  The number under that indicates the beats per minute.

This is the general idea.  I will check when I get to my shop and correct any errors I have made.  And there are variations to some of the numbers for a few movements.


If you have any more questions or would like some resources for repairing and restoring clocks, contact me at my email address below, and I'll see what I can do to help you.


John Newman
The Village Clocksmith
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama

klokdok@juno.com

Note concerning questions not related to Allexperts:  Because of my commitment to answering Allexperts questions within a prescribed time limit and the large backlog of clock work at my shop, I regret that I cannot answer personal email questions on a timely basis, other than Allexperts follow up questions.  I will try to answer these emails as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience.

Les, thank you for the nice comments, and you're more than welcome.  If you need any help in deciding on which movement to buy, let me know.  I just found my reference book and I was almost correct on the model nomenclature.  The first digit of the second set of three numbers is the winding location, the second digit is the hammer position and the third digit is the handshaft length, as measured from the front plate:

0 = 33.2mm
1 = 27.0mm
3 = 53.0mm

John Newman

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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