Expert: Michael Radi - 12/31/2011

Question
QUESTION: I HAVE A HERLME QUARTZ MOVEMENT.  THE CHIMES ARE OUT OF SYNCH- APPROX.33MINUTES -FOR EXAMPLE AT 11:30 AM THE CLOCK WILL CHIME 12.WHAT CAN I DO TO CORRECT THIS? THE 1/4 1/2 3/4 ARE ALSO OUT OF SYNCH..

ANSWER: If your clock strikes the hour on the half the minute hand is upside down. Take the minute hand off and put it back on pointing to the other side.
Your clock will still be 3 minutes off.
You might be able to turn the movement a bit from the back so the hand points straight up when it chimes the hour.
Here is another option that works on most hermle chiming quarts movements:
Hold the setter on the back of the clock and move the minute hand in the direction you need to correct the 3 minutes it is off.
Let me know if you still need help.
Michael

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

QUESTION: Dear Michael,

I am not sure what you mean by "take the minute hand off and put it back on pointing to the other side".

donna

ANSWER: The minute hand is your longest hand. It is probably held on with a small nut. That hand can be put on pointing either of two directions (180 degrees of each other). Try this: point the minute hand to the 6 at the bottom of the clock face. Unscrew the small nut holding the minute hand on,  take the minute hand off, put it back on pointing to the 12. Now you should get the chime at the top of the hour, rather than the bottom.
Then follow my previous instructions:
Your clock will still be 3 minutes off.
You might be able to turn the movement a bit from the back so the hand points straight up when it chimes the hour.
Here is another option that works on most hermle chiming quarts movements:
Hold the setter on the back of the clock and move the minute hand in the direction you need to correct the 3 minutes it is off.
Let me know if you still need help.


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

QUESTION: Thank you for your response Michael.  We will try what you suggested.
I noticed on your profile that you currently work for a clock parts company.  My clock is a Powell Grandfather clock.  Do you sell the original quartz movement that came with my clock?  That one you actually pressed a button for the hour time and another button for the minute.  Also why are the clocks off by 3 minutes?  Is this normal for all grandfather clocks?

Donna

Answer
I sell quartz movements but non with the push buttons. That is an old style and I doubt if they are made anymore.
The clocks should not be off by 3 minutes, you should be able to get it to chime straight up on the hour.
I gave you some instructions to correct this. Here they are again:
You might be able to turn the movement a bit from the back so the hand points straight up when it chimes the hour.
Here is another option that works on most hermle chiming quarts movements:
Hold the setter on the back of the clock and move the minute hand in the direction you need to correct the 3 minutes it is off.
Let me know if you still need help.