Expert: William J Perkins - 6/21/2007

Question
QUESTION: i took clock out of case to oil it. i took off the hour gear that was attached with a c clip. i put it back,and i don,t have the gear back in sink. does not chime correctly no matter what i do. how do i get it back to work correctly.

ANSWER: I will need you to be specific about this condition.  The solution might be quite simple or complex.  Tell me specifically, what is the problem?  Is the hour hand off with respect to the strike, the chime, the hour, what the hell?  Is the variance consistent?  Also copy down and send me all the information that is stamped upon the movement backplate.  With this I can identify your movement, that coupled with the information requested will probably allow me to replicate the problem, then advise how to correct.  WJP


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

QUESTION: chimes doesn,t chime unless i trip the part that makes it work. the trouble started when i moved the hour hand backwards. i oil,d the movement and it runs fine. i took off the hour gear and i,m sure it wasn,t put back in correct gear teeth allignement. how do i get it back correctly?the hour gear was held by a C cl

Answer
From your description it sounds like a missing or inoperative piece.  If I understand the chime runs if you manually trip the mechanism.  This could only mean that the tripping device is not performing its function.  This could only happen if. 1 the device is simply missing, 2 the devise is improperly installed or 3 the device is defective (highly unlikely).  The device I am speaking of is called a lift cam, it is comprised of a gear, to which a pawl is firmly fixed.  As the hand shaft rotates this devise turns and as it turns the affixed pawl causing a lever to rise and trip the strike train.  In other words it does precisely what you are doing manually to cause striking.  My guess is that you either lost this device or improperly installed it. Incidentally the movement of your clock is a Hermle model 1151-053.  I suggest you obtain an exploded view of this movement as guidance as to how all the pieces go together.  If I am still not understanding your problem try me again.  Regards WJP