Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 10/17/2007

Question
We inherited an anniversary clock from my mom, which ran all the time.  Since we've had it, it keeps stopping.  We have moved it so it's level, still stops.  What keeps it running and should there be a wind up key or something somewhere?

Answer
Older ones are key wound and have a square silver steel shaft on the rear of the brass mechanism to wind it once a year. Most use a 4mm square key-standard at any clock shop.The rotating balls are centered in a little cup on top of the base and just need not to have the assembly not rubbing on anything in that little cup as they turn.
  Modern ones are battery operated and would have 1 or 2 batteries - one in a compartment in the rear of the plastic mechanism and perhaps one in the base.