Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 4/5/2007

Question
I inherited a Seth Thomas mantle clock model 6811. I'm guessing its a
balance clock, as I cannot see a pendulum.  I ran well years ago, but has not
been used in about 6 years.  With some effort and pressure, I managed to
fully wind the 6 and 9 positions, but the 3 refuses to budge, even when I used
the same technique as I used on the others.  I applied more pressure, and the
key broke.  Questions: why is the 3 position stuck so badly?  Should I wind it
to the right or left?  And can I get a new key to replace the one I syupidly
broke?  Thanks.

Answer
Laurie: I have no clue what a 6811 is but with three winders it has a modern German made movement in it. If you cannot easily get any of them to wind in either direction then the clock is fully wound up and should be operating properly then. If it is not, you would need to get professional service as it probably needs cleaning at least after sitting for 6 years. # 3 position is a larger spring but sounds like a defective key. I do not recall breaking a key while winding a clock in all my 34 years in clock repair! If as I suspect this is a Hermle German movement, they all wind the same direction. Any clock shop can sell you a #8 (4mm) key for this clock.