Antique and Vintage Clocks

Mechanical clocks do not last forever and every now and then a movement should be inspected for wear and to address any other issues if required. A cycle of 2-4 years is a good rule for checking on the health of your mechanical clock.

In the case of this clock perhaps 5 years is a little long but it has not been in a harsh environment. Although I had it professionally serviced I have built up my clock repair skill-sets in the last 4 years and can now do the work myself.

The clock is an Arthur Pequegnat Brandon II which I purchased from an antique shop in 2014. Arthur Pequegnat is a Canadian clock company that made clocks in Kitchener, Ontario from 1903 to 1941. Here is a brief history of the company. It is difficult to determine when this clock was actually made but it had to be between the period 1917 and 1941. My guess is the 1930s.

The clock has been hanging on an upstairs hallway and running continuously since it was serviced.

This week I took the dial face off to inspect the movement expecting to find a movement void of lubricating oil. Instead there was plenty of oil but some of the pivots had blackened residue. Applying fresh oil to old old is never a good practice as this will accelerate wear when new and dirty oil mix to produce an abrasive paste. Expecting to simply re-oil the movement I then decided to strip it down, clean it and reassemble it.

I checked the gears for excessive play and found none; the bushings looked fine. Now for the pivots. I disassembled the movement and found the pivots to be in very good condition. I polished the pivots, pegged out the bushing holes, oiled the movement, returned the movement to its case and after several days of testing is it running strongly.

It was well overdue for an inspection but now it should run for many years to come but next time I may not wait 5 years.