Expert: Martin Meyer - 8/24/2007

Question
I have a trend wall clock by sleigh made in Michigan. It says regulator on the glass at the front of the clock by the pendulum.  I just took it in for service at a clock store and was told it needed a few parts but needed to be taken apart, cleaned, new bearings and other things and total cost was $290 to do this.  I was given the clock by my father and he doesn't know what it is worth but this seems very high and I am not sure it is worth that much.  Does this sound like a reasonable price to take apart and clean a clock that has some mechanical problems.  Is this a valuable clock and would you spend this money to fix?

Answer
Hi Jim,
    Clock repair prices vary widely in different parts of the country. But to completely overhaul a movement, including new bearings and other repairs, I think this is a reasonable price. Overhauling a clock is a very labor intensive operation, and the clock repairer will spend many hours on this job.
    Another option is to have the movement replaced with a new one of the same make and model. The cost will be about the same but, mechanically, you will have a brand new clock. This is the option I personally prefer, as long as a movement is available.
    I do not do appraisals, so cannot advise you about the value of your clock.
     Thanks for your question.   Martin