Expert: Martin Meyer - 7/7/2007

Question
QUESTION: I have an old Tempus Fugit grandfather/grandmother clock that was made for me by my grandfather back in 1976. It has never been cleaned/serviced. It still chimes and I still have all the parts, however it doesn't run. I even replaced the spring mechanism. The mechanism says from top to bottom,'82 made for Emperor Clock comp. by Hermile Black Forest clocks,#451-050 H, 94cm/66. Can you help me in finding a new mechanism or should I get it fixed? Replacing the mechanism doesn't look to difficult. The clock is 6 ft tall and does look like a grandmother clock than a grandfather. Can you help.

ANSWER: Hi David,
    Replacing the movement is a better option than having the old one overhauled. The cost is little if any more and you're getting a brand new and warranted movement.
    If you think you can do the replacement yourself (you're right that it's not too difficult if you have good mechanical skills), you can get the correct movement from Butterworth Clocks, www.butterworthclocks.com.
    You will be using your original weights, pendulum and dial, and replacing just the movement. You should order a Hermle 451-050H, 94 cm. movement.
    Thanks for your question.   Martin

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

QUESTION: Hello Martin,
Thank you for the recent reply to my question. I took your advice and tried to bring up Butterworth Clocks, however their website seems restricted to get on. This I do not understand. I tried to enter my own username and password and it still would not let me in. Do you have another website and company I could get the mechanism from. thanks

Answer
Hi David,
    I'm sorry about my mistake regarding the Butterworth website. I was not aware that it is a wholesale-only site. They do, however, sell movements to the retail public. You can contact them at (563) 263-6759. Butterworth has the most complete line of all models of movements that I know of.
    Two sources where you can obtain some Hermle movements are Timesavers and Merritt's Antiques. They may very well have the movement you need.
    If you do not have success with any of these sources, please contact me again, and I will do some research for other possible sources.
    Thanks.   Martin