Small details added during clock restoration projects can change the appearance of clock in a positive way. In this article I will describe how adding a piece (actually two), that should have there in the first place, will make all the difference.
During the fall (2018) I spent a considerable amount of time restoring a Vienna styled time and strike German made FMS Mauthe spring driven wall clock. Restoration involved completely stripping and refinishing the case and fully servicing the movement. My wife commented that the transformation was dramatic and of course, I graciously accepted the compliment.
For some reason many wall clocks are missing their side stabilizers
And….
Restoration included adding an arched door insert above the dial and a new centre top finial. Otherwise, the clock was complete except for one small item, the 2 wall stabilizers. Why would they be missing? A thumbscrew might go astray during a servicing and rather than find a replacement it is too easy to take both off and discard them.
Many wall clocks are missing their side stabilizers. Check the rear backboard of a wall clock without stabilizers. You might find two small holes on either side of the case near the bottom indicating it once had wall stabilizers. Otherwise if you do not find those holes, the clock was never meant to have them.
Once the beat is set, level the clock on the wall and set the stabilizers by screwing each one into the wall. The stabilizers will compensate for any wall vibrations and the movement of the case during the weekly winding.
Some stabilizers are unique to brands such as Ansonia and Gustav Becker. This, however, does not mean that they are limited to these movements, they are interchangeable. The stabilizers you see here are advertised as Vienna stabilizers.
All clock suppliers carry stabilizers. I ordered a pair and simply re-used the screw holes on either side on the backboard to attach the stabilizers.
Are they absolutely necessary? No! Can a clock run without them. Yes! Yet, it is an often overlooked detail that might make all the difference.
Antique and Vintage Clocks 
Good Morning Ron, my name is Don Parker. I took a pequegnat Canadian time clock to your house a few years ago.I am thinking about buying an Arthur Pequegnat Moncton wall clock which is almost identical to the clock in your November 30,2018 blog.It is slightly shorter. I am trying to determine how much it is worth. It appears to be in great condition from the pictures I see on-line.The problem is there is no way to tell if the movement is an original pequegnat. I am trying to determine how much the clock is worth either with the original pequegnat movement or replaced by another movement.If you could give me an idea how much it would be worth I would appreciate it very much.Thank-You, Donnie
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Hi Donnie,
Yes, I remember. You had the clock with the faux birds-eye finish. The movement in the Moncton is very unique. They all have double spring time-only movements. There are two winding arbours and each one gives about 7 days of running and when both are fully wound you will get 15 days of running. You cannot replace the movement with anything similar. If the clock you are looking at is a time and strike clock it will have had a replacement movement as these clocks were never designed to strike. Pequegnat made a long and short version of these clocks. I have the longer and more recent version. On the earliest ad shorter Monctons the bottom trim is a different design. The short one you are looking at might have been a train station clock.
I do not like discussing prices on my blog but will email you privately for pricing.
Ron
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