Expert: William J Perkins - 12/4/2007

Question
QUESTION: We have a Viking clock with the numbers "Franzhermle 78, 3240-020". Its a mantle clock. "TWL 2 Jewels" It has three key wind places on the face . Two for the chimes and one for the clock. The chimes are off from the time by five hours and fifteen miutes. At 7am it chimes twelve times. It chimes every 15 minutes, and those chimes are 15 minutes behind schedule. How do we adjust the time and chimes to correct this?

ANSWER: I believe you have one to many numbers in your movement designation.  The correct reference is 340-020.  This would be manufactured by Hermle in 1978.  It has a floating balance and is an eight day Westminster spring driven chime movement.  The hammers are mounted at the bottom of the movement.  To correct your problem, move the hands to a position where the entire Westminster melody is struck, followed by an hour strike.  Say the hour strike was 4.  Stop the clock.  Remove the hands.  You do this by
removing the hand nut and pulling the minute hand straight of its post.  Then grasp the hour hand between your thumb and another finger of one hand and pull it straight out.  The hour hand is friction fit to its tube so it might be difficult to pull off.  When the hands are free, replace the hour hand, pointing to 4, and push it straight in till a friction fit is established.  Then replace the minute hand so that is points to 12, replace the hand nut.  Start the clock with a gentle rotation.  The clock is now in synch and you may now set the clock to the proper time.  Regards WJP





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

QUESTION: The clock is gaining 6 - 7 minutes every 24 hours. How do we adjust that?

Answer
Given the condition you describe I suggest you give serious thought about replacing the movement.  That would be the most cost effective alternative.  However, should you still wish to regulate your current movement, go to the following web cite.  <home.earthlink.net/~atmosman/earthftp.html>  Click on item 50 in the index, "Hermle floating balance" this will describe how to make adjustments.  Try making adjustments as defined therein, if that does not suffice give serious thought to going the replacement route.  Should you choose such a route advise me and I will provide you a source in your area.  I would need you zip code for that.  Best wishes WJP