Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 2/23/2007

Question
I have a French Clock ( Japy Freies) that purchased and Cleaned and Oiled. I disassembled and reassembled after cleaning,adjusted the levels on time and strike and then ran the clock.  I set the clock up in my Bench stand and noticed that the clock runs accurrated for two days after it is fully wound.  After the second day the clock starts to lost time 1 minute every day until the clock mainspring are fully wound down.  I did not replace the mainsprings I removed them and cleaned them and the reinstall them back in the barrells. I 'm not sure if this is a Mainspring problem or a Suspenion spring problem.  Can you help me.

My father was a watchmaker and Clock repairman for 50 years but in 2001 he passed away.  I worked with him all my live and I'm continuting the trade for him and me.  I never work on a Japy clock before.  Can you help me..

Joe  

Answer
Joe; Your story seems to point to a mainspring issue. If the springs are properly cleaned and lubed then they are either weak, wrong size or both. As a professional I would set the clock up to gain say 1.5 mins. a day initially-so the average for the week would be quite acceptable. Or spend hours more messing with it with no guarantee for success. If this is a hobby you can spend the hours- if you are trying to earn a living it is a different game.