One of the most common mistakes in clock maintenance is oiling a movement while it is still in the case. It seems convenient, and many people believe they are helping the clock, but in reality, you cannot properly inspect or oil a movement until it has been removed from the case and examined, where you can see all of the pivots and the condition of the oil.

There is really no substitute for this. With the movement still in the case, you simply cannot see the condition of the pivot holes, the oil, or the general state of the movement from all sides.

Removing the movement allows you to properly inspect and evaluate its condition before deciding what action, if any, is required.

Are there exceptions? Generally, no. One might argue that 400-day and skeleton clocks are exceptions to the rule. Because their gears are exposed and move extremely slowly—typically at just 6 to 8 beats per minute—a lack of oil is rarely a serious concern. In many cases, these clocks can be lubricated without completely removing the movement, provided the existing oil has not become contaminated.

Removing the Movement

Removing the movement from a typical clock case is usually a relatively simple procedure. Let’s use a common American century-old mantel clock as an example. Open the front glass door. The hands come off easily by removing the center cannon pin that holds the minute hand (and washer). The hour hand is a friction fit and can be gently pulled off. The dial is typically held in place by three or four small brass screws, but the dial does not have to be removed to inspect the movement outside its case.

Open the back access door. In an American clock, there are usually four wood screws that hold the movement in place. These must be removed. If there is a coil gong, remove this first or push the gong base aside before removing the movement. To remove the gong entirely, the mounting nut is located at the bottom outside of the case. Take the nut off and pull out the coil gong from within the case. Once the gong is removed and the movement is lifted from the case, you can immediately inspect all sides.

At this point, you can properly assess the condition of the movement.

The single biggest indicator of a movement’s condition is the oil around the pivot holes. This is where you should focus most of your attention.

What to Look For

If the oil around the pivot holes is greenish, dark, or thick, this is a red flag. Old oil that has mixed with brass wear turns into a sticky, abrasive paste. When this happens, no amount of re-oiling will fix the problem.

In fact, re-oiling in this situation will make matters even worse and will accelerate wear because the contaminated oil mixes with the new oil to act as a grinding paste.

The movement must be completely taken apart, cleaned, and serviced correctly.

Once the movement is out of the clock case, this is a perfect time for an overall inspection. When inspecting a movement, I also look at the barrels for bulges or cracks, the general condition of the mainsprings if the clock has open mainsprings, check the lantern or leaf pinions, gear teeth, and strike side levers, and inspect the suspension spring for splits or cracks.

To Oil or not to Oil

However, if there is a very small amount of oil visible around the pivots or the pivot holes appear dry, and the gears, levers, and springs appear to be in good condition, this is a different scenario entirely. In this case, the movement may simply need re-oiling.

This is often all that is required. Applying proper clock oil to the pivots will allow the clock to run better, reduce friction, and significantly reduce wear on the movement over time.

One is tempted to grab a spray can of WD-40 and liberally dose the movement, but I strongly caution against WD-40, which is primarily a water-displacing spray and penetrating fluid, not a true lubricating oil, and should never be used on a clock.

The oil used should be specially formulated for mechanical clocks. I use Keystone Clock Oil and have been for years, although some repairers report good success using synthetic oil.

But again, the most important indicator is always the condition of the oil at the pivot holes.

Periodic Inspections

Periodic inspection and oiling of a mechanical clock movement is important preventative maintenance. Regular inspections allow you to identify problems before they become serious, prevent unnecessary wear, and extend the life of the movement.

A clock that is periodically inspected and properly oiled will run better, keep better time, and last far longer than one that is simply left alone for decades.

An important aspect of periodic oiling is keeping records and establishing a regular inspection schedule. It is very easy to forget when a clock was last serviced or oiled, especially if you have several clocks.

Three methods that I have found useful are keeping a small handwritten record inside the case, tracking on an Excel spreadsheet, or keeping a notebook noting the date of inspection, oiling, or servicing. This allows you to establish a routine maintenance schedule rather than guessing.

A reasonable guideline is to inspect and possibly re-oil a clock every 2–3 years if the clock is running continuously, and every 3–5 years if the clock is run intermittently or only occasionally. Regular inspection and light oiling when needed will greatly reduce wear and help ensure the movement lasts for many years.

The Importance of the Simple Inspection

In short, the movement must be removed from the case for proper inspection and oiling.

Once you can see the pivots and the condition of the oil, you can make an informed decision: re-oil if the movement is clean and dry, or service the movement if the oil has deteriorated.

That simple inspection can make the difference between a clock that lasts several more years and one that wears itself out in a very short period of time.

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