Something causes tooth damage. But what? The example is a Fleet time and strike mantel clock from the 1930s. Fleet Time Company of Montreal, a company that was operating four short years, sourced movements from Germany prior to the Second World War. It was a very common mantel clock sold through department stores across Canada. … More Mainspring barrel tooth damage – how does that happen?
A mainspring’s purpose is to provide motive power for the wheels to move in a clock train. All mechanical clocks require a power source and the power source may be by weight or spring. Mechanical clocks that have mainsprings will have one, two, or three winding points which, once wound provide power for a clock’s … More Should mainsprings be routinely replaced on an antique clock when servicing?
This is Part I of a three (3) part series. In Part I I discuss disassembly and servicing the mainsprings. In Part II, the movement and in Part II restoring the brass case. My wife found this 1910 Ansonia Crystal Regulator in the late summer 2018 while antique shopping. In the 1905 Ansonia Crystal Regulator … More Ansonia Crystal Regulator clock – Part I – disassembly
Over-winding a clock is a common myth. The world of horology reveals an assortment of interesting expressions as well as the misuse of words and terms. For classic example; why do some refer to shelf clocks as Mantle clocks when a mantel is something you wear like a shawl or a cloak? Mantel, such as … More Over-winding a clock is a myth
Most refer to the name “Horse Crown” when describing this clock and it is easy to see why. Many would also consider it a Vienna Regulator style of clock. I have been putting off servicing this movement for a while and a long time has passed since it was properly serviced. So, let’s get started. … More FMS Mauthe “Horse Crown” wall clock – servicing the movement
I had just completed servicing this German Mauthe time and strike wall clock and everything seemed to be going well. It was keeping good time,striking on the half hour as it should and maintaining a consistent an 8-day cycle. During my regular Saturday clock winding ritual, I decided to begin with this clock. I inserted … More Sometimes working on clocks can be a pain – literally!
Some folks collect clocks without actually working on them. Collecting clocks and repairing them are two very different things. I know people who would gladly send their clocks out for servicing and don’t seem to mind the extra cost. I like to do my own work. If you work on your own clocks or service … More What is this clock thing for? #3 – the let-down key
There are four general categories of clock mechanisms; quartz, electro-mechanical, electric, and mechanical. Mechanical clocks be they antique or vintage types are the focus of this post and if your clock has stopped perhaps I can help. It may surprise some to know that mechanical clocks need periodic winding Perhaps you have a newly acquired … More My antique clock stopped, what do I do?
There is no maker’s mark anywhere on the case or the movement The clock is an unsigned 8-day carriage clock in a rectangular brass case. This attractive little clock has a white enameled dial with Roman numerals, blued steel hands and a spring driven time-only movement with platform lever escapement visible through the top beveled … More French Carriage Clock – servicing
We often cruise the HiBid sites. While they may be wholly Canadian I am sure there are similar sites in the US. HiBid are a hosting service for antique online auction companies and from time to time clocks come up on estate sales. One day in early February 2017 we were on a Nova Scotia … More Jauch Drop Octagon – one problem I cannot address…..yet!
Regular reader and contributor JC suggested a few more clock terms I thought readers and fellow horologists might find interesting. My source for this article is the Watch and Clock Encyclopedia by Donald de Clarke, published by Bonanza Books (1984) which is still available on Amazon. Gridiron pendulum: A pendulum consisting of alternating steels and … More More fascinating terms – the language of clocks
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
How does one wind an antique or vintage mechanical clock? The advice and suggestions, if followed, should provide you with the skill and confidence to correctly wind your antique or vintage mechanical clock. In this age of everything electronic, it may surprise some people that a newly acquired mechanical clock bought at the local garage … More Winding a mechanical clock – A How-To Guide
This is Part II of a multi part series on the Sessions Westminster A chiming mantel clock. Inside the plates they are a conventional Sessions clock. Outside the plates is an entirely different story Sessions Westminster A clocks are true chiming clocks that play the Westminster chime sequences on the quarter hours and strike the … More Sessions Westminster A mantel clock Part II – Dis-assembly
This is an antique German Junghans time and strike spring driven clock made in the style of a Vienna Regulator. It came to me as a box of parts. To some a box of clock parts and pieces is discouraging but to me it is a challenge. Part II of a three part series on … More Halifax Explosion and the Junghans Crispi clock – Part II – servicing the movement
Shelf clocks such as the one pictured have always been hard to find though I did stumble upon this one very recently (April 2016) at an antique store in Great Village, Nova Scotia. Why, because of their cheap construction and inexpensive movements, not many of these clocks have survived over the years. This one might have had a … More A curious little Blackforest shelf clock
It is time to buy the tools I need for clock repair. I already have a number of basic tools to get me started; pliers, letdown chucks, screwdrivers, etc. However, my first significant tool is an Ollie Baker Mainspring Winder which arrived from the USA today. It is pictured below. The Ollie Baker comes with … More Clock Repair Tools
When I picked up this clock I realized that the person who worked on it was really just a tinkerer but it was attractive and the strike sounded great. I brought it home and knew that I had to learn a lot more about clock repair because it would occasionally stop for no apparent reason … More Smiths Enfield Mantel Clock
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
Ominous The Spirit is an artist that makes music, paints, and creates photography. He donates 100% of profits to charity.
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