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Clocks, Watches/"R-A" style wall clock
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Question
Dear Mr Newman,
Have recently inherited a "R-A" style wall clock by Uhren Fabrik Villingen Germany, 1895-1905. Has a 2 piece dial. 8 day springwound movement that strikes hour and 1/2 hours. No other notations or information on the clock itself. We do not have the key to the clock. Do you know where we may find a key and what size it might use? I know nothing about clocks!! Please help.
Thank you,
Pete Nelson
Pete, I believe the "Uhren Fabrik Villingen Germany, 1895-1905" was the village and era of the company that manufactured the movement.
Winding arbors vary in size and sometimes they are filed down due to wear or damage. Therefore, it is best to have the key fitted to the clock. A key should go on smoothly and have very little play. Either a clockmaker can fit it for you with an assortment or if you can measure the distance across the flats with a micrometer or vernier scale, I can probably select a key to fit it. I have also sent an assortment of keys to customers and let them choose the correct key and then give them a refund for the returned keys. Let me know what you might like to do.
John Newman
The Village Clocksmith
Old Prattvillage
Prattville, Alabama
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 10 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks Mr Newman for taking the time to help. I'll search in our local area for keys as there seems to be a few places to try in Little Rock and Hot Springs, AR. Taking the clock in to be fitted would be my first choice. If that doesn't pan out I may still contact you for several keys to try. Thanks again, Ms Pete Nelson | ||
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Answers by Expert:
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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