Expert: William J Perkins - 12/24/2007

Question
Hello! I recently purchased a welby anniversary clock for a gift. It has four balls. the owner said the main spring was overtight and will unwind soon. I manually rotate the
balls,it spins for 5-8 mins then stops. do I have to do this all day? thanks for having a great site about clocks!

Answer
Clocks are rarely overwound.  In over 50 years of working on clock I have never seen this condition.  Almost always the so called overwound condition is a clarion call that something else is wrong, most commonly DIRT.  In my opinion you are wasting your time trying to unwind the clock by causing manual rotation of the pendulum.  As a matter of fact there is a good chance it will prove harmfull.  It is possible that relieving pressure from the mainspring could allow the movement to run?, but, the fact would remains that the clock needs attention.  Anniversary clocks are generally very well made, as a consequence they need qualified attention.  Regards WJP