Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 2/5/2007

Question
I recently received my mom's vintage wall clock.  It has 2 weights and a pendulum.  She told me to hang it flush to the wall, set the time and start the pendulum.  It runs for about 15 minutes then stops.  The chime seems to work, on the hour and half hour.  It's stamped St. Aubin Suisse inside the back cover.  I can't find a label or model number yet.  It has a logo of a "S" superimposed with a "W" under the 12, if that helps.  Thanks.

Answer
Mary: lots of things it could be of course --but let's check the most probable. Hanging the pendulum on properly is first- there is a connection near the top quarter of the pendulum between the free swinging of the pendulum and a mechanical connection with the mechanism. This must be connected properly- if it looks ok as it swings side to side, it prpbably is. Next the beat or tick needs to sound even from side to side. Listen to it while it ticks and see if the pendulum looks and sounds even- you can move the bottom of the case a bit to one side then the other to see and hear how it can be off one side or the other. You want to have it centered as well as your ear can hear, regardless of how straight on the wall the case ends up being. report back.....