Tag: hermle

Built to Last? Comparing Antique and Vintage Clock Movements

July 18, 2025

Having worked on a number of German and American clock movements recently, I began reflecting on the differences in design philosophy, construction methods, and overall durability between modern German movements from the past 30 to 40 years and American movements made over a century ago. These comparisons reveal not just technical contrasts but also shifting … More Built to Last? Comparing Antique and Vintage Clock Movements

From Holocaust Survivor to Canadian Visionary: The Story of Craftline Industries

May 30, 2025

In an era when Canadian furniture manufacturers were struggling to compete with international imports, one company stood out not just for its elegant craftsmanship but for the remarkable story behind its founder. Craftline Industries, established in Toronto during the mid-20th century, was the brainchild of Manny Drukier, a Holocaust survivor whose vision, ingenuity, and resilience … More From Holocaust Survivor to Canadian Visionary: The Story of Craftline Industries

A Collection of Antique Clocks at Our Summer Refuge

July 12, 2024

My collection of clocks is divided between my home in Nova Scotia and our cottage in Central Canada. Part of my collection is there because I am not the type of person who abandons a hobby; I make it a part of my everyday life. Although not an even split, about 15% of the collection … More A Collection of Antique Clocks at Our Summer Refuge

Taking a look at this Ansonia cotteg clockwith the dial off

Clocks at our summer retreat

July 25, 2023

At our seasonal cottage located in central Canada, we enjoy displaying a small selection of clocks, during the summer months. The first clock, displayed for a number of years, was a Danial Dakota time and strike clock, which we had converted to a quartz movement. This clock, originating from the 1960s, incorporated Chinese design elements … More Clocks at our summer retreat

Tick Talk Tuesday

Tick Talk Tuesday #47 Mason and Sullivan movement in a grandfather clock

May 16, 2023

Tick-Talk Tuesday is dedicated to addressing readers’ letters and comments related to clock issues, challenges, and recommendations for specific clocks. In cases where the comments and questions are particularly challenging, I seek advice from my fellow clock enthusiasts to provide the most accurate and helpful response. DH writes I am the executor of an estate … More Tick Talk Tuesday #47 Mason and Sullivan movement in a grandfather clock

Tick-Talk Tuesday

Tick Talk Tuesday #18 – Is my Mauthe balance wheel fixable?

September 4, 2018

Tick-Talk Tuesday is about the letters and comments I have received from you, the reader, concerning your clock, issues you might have had, challenges you face or a clock you would like me to profile and my responses to your questions with advice on your particular clock concern. For those comments and questions that stump … More Tick Talk Tuesday #18 – Is my Mauthe balance wheel fixable?

Clock face showing moon dial

Transporting your modern tall-case clock – a how to

December 1, 2017

Having moved modern grandfather clocks these are some useful some tips when transporting your clock. If you are unsure, a professional will certainly perform the service but consider the cost before you decide since you will pay travel time plus disassembly/set-up time, shop supplies and tax. A call to a professional is unnecessary if you … More Transporting your modern tall-case clock – a how to

Sspriral spring for floating balance escapement

Dugena mantel clock revisited

May 7, 2017

In a precious article I wrote about my frustrations getting this clock to run reliably. No matter what adjustments I made it ran poorly. “You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you are going, because you might not get there”, Yogi Berra This time and strike movement (Hermle?) has been out … More Dugena mantel clock revisited

Rural Nova Scotia antique shop

Antiquing on a Sunday afternoon

December 4, 2016

Sadly the number of antique shops in Nova Scotia is dwindling. We were antiquing in the city of Halifax (Nova Scotia, Canada) this past spring and one of the store owners remarked that there used to be dozens of antique shops in the city, now only a few remain. There are still a few antique … More Antiquing on a Sunday afternoon

Chelsea ship's bell cloc

So, my sister also loves clocks

September 13, 2016

After not having visited my sister in some time I was surprised to find that she is an avid clock collector. I must stress the word collector because although she appreciates the beauty of each clock she has acquired over the years how they run is somewhat of a mystery to her and that is just … More So, my sister also loves clocks

The Bracket Clock

July 13, 2016

Let me take you on a brief journey as we explore the history of the bracket clock. If you’re already familiar with them, perhaps I can offer some additional insights into what exactly defines a bracket clock. So, what exactly is a bracket clock? A bracket clock is a type of shelf or mantel clock. … More The Bracket Clock

Sspriral spring for floating balance escapement

Floating balance no longer “floats”

April 4, 2016

Floating balance movements began appearing in mechanical clocks in the early 1950s. The floating balance has distinct advantages over pendulum clocks. It is robust, dependable and not susceptible to disturbance. It will tolerate being out of level unlike pendulum clocks which must be on a level surface. This Hermle movement was taken out of a … More Floating balance no longer “floats”

Forestville mantel clock

Forestville mantel clock

February 26, 2016

If you’re expecting a post about clocks from the Black Forest region of Germany, I apologize for the mix-up. This article is actually focused on the Forestville Clock Company of Canada. Forestville clocks were assembled in Canada with foreign movements in local and foreign-made cases through the late 1920s to the mid-1970s. This particular Forestville … More Forestville mantel clock

Mainspring barrel

A Barrel of Fun – Dugena mantel clock issues

June 8, 2015

I am continuing work on my Dugena mantel clock with a Hermle movement. Everything seemed to go well after re-assembly but the strike barrel. A serious problem or simple fix? The latter, thankfully. Something was definitely amiss since the winding arbor was not engaging on the mainspring. The spring was either broken or had not … More A Barrel of Fun – Dugena mantel clock issues

Dugena clock

Dugena Mantel Clock Progress

June 5, 2015

  If you are following the progress on my Dugena mantel clock project it seems to be going fairly well though there have been some minor issues. I had no trouble taking the movement apart and cleaning all the parts to the best of my ability. Everything seemed to be in good order with minimal … More Dugena Mantel Clock Progress

Dugena Mantel Clock Dis-assembly, Cleaning and Adjustment

June 1, 2015

Dugena was a German retail clock company. The name Dugena still exists today, but whether or not it is related to the Dugena company of the 1950s is anyone’s guess. This particular clock has a Hermle floating balance movement, which is both reliable and dependable. Dugena, like many other clock companies at the time, contracted … More Dugena Mantel Clock Dis-assembly, Cleaning and Adjustment