Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 12/16/2007

Question
Hello,
I own a Stratford model Pearl grandfather clock. I recently removed the weights to temporarily move the clock while we were having home renovations.  Since then, the clock will only run approximately 5 minutes and then stops.  I noticed prior to moving that the clock was consistently slow by about 5-6 minutes/day)  Does the clock need a cleaning and lubrication or is it something I've done?  The clock is 23 years old and hasn't been serviced in years.

Answer
Cheaper and better to buy a new movement just like the one in the clock when it finally needs service after 23 years which is about the normal service life of these German movements before overhaul or replacement is finally needed.Cost about $400 for a new Hermle movement these days.
Did you remove the pendulum and get it back on right and visually check the hanging thru the side panel?
  Did you put the weights back in the same order- heaviest on the right and lighter to the left?
  How long was the clock sitting during renovations?If months then that could get it into problems with an older clock.
  Give the pendulum a really wide swing so it almost touches the sides and let it settle to the normal swing and see if it doesn't keep running then.