Expert: William J Perkins - 6/13/2007

Question
Our Pearl is a 3 chime grandfather clock. It will only chime on the Westminster. It does correctly though. At the 1/4 hour it chimes 4 1/2 8 3/4hr 12 and 16 on the hour but only on Westminster. It will only strike 1 time on the hour no matter what hour. It hasn't ever been cleaned or lubricated to our knowledge which may be the problem. Do you have any suggestions or know of anyone in the Texarkana,AR or Tx area that works on these clocks. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Preston Lively

Answer
I suspect your judgement that the old boy needs cleaning is correct.  I do want you to try something before you commit yourself to anything.  As you face the clock it has three weights.  The weight on your right drives the chime train, this train requires application of the heaviest weight, (this is crucial).  The center weight drives the time train and the one on the left the strike train.  These two trains require the two lightest weights.  
Because the clock strikes one for any hour it is obvious that the rotation of the hands is not causing the ratchet regulating the number blows to be struck is not cocking.  This could mean the ratchet has lost its retaining washer or that it is dirty.  I do believe a good cleaning, lubrication and adjustments is needed.  I would contact one of your local jewelers for a recommendation for someone to do what ever work is required.  Don't be shy about questioning the credentials of whomever you might select to do the job for you.  In getting a bid or bids find out precisely what will be done for the proposed fee and what sort of warranty is included.
If as I suspect your clocks movement is a Hermle there is a better alternative to cleaning etc.  That is to replace the movement with a brand new one, which would give you a better clock that when it was brandnew, and at less cost.
I can find out how much a new movement would cost, to do so, would require you to gain access to the backplate of your clocks movement, copy down and send me all the information stamped thereon.  With that I can identify the specific movement requirements and provide you with the name of a clock materials house, near you, from whence you can acquire the correct movement.   Regards WJP