Wightime Clock Repairs
Part of F. Robert Frise Jewellers - Freshwater, Isle of Wight.
Clock Types Repaired & Services Offered
~ Clock Types Repaired ~
At Wightime we accept a large variety of clocks for repair including the following types:
30 Hour Longcase (Grandfather) Clocks
8 Day Longcase (Grandfather) Clocks
8 Day Chiming Longcase (Grandfather) Clocks
8 Day Striking Mantle Clocks
8 Day Striking Wall Clocks
8 Day Striking Bracket Clocks
8 Day Chiming Mantle Clocks (including double & triple chiming variations)
8 Day Chiming Wall Clocks (including double & triple chiming variations)
8 Day French Timepieces
8 Day French Striking Clocks
30 Hour or 8 Day "American" Clocks
8 Day Carriage Clocks (with or without alarm)
8 Day Striking Carriage Clocks (with or without alarm)
8 Day Striking/Repeater Carriage Clocks
8 Day Grand Sonnerie Carriage Clocks
Bracket Clocks (all types)
Fusee English Dial Clocks
Fusee Skeleton Clocks
Ship's Clocks (Timepiece & 8 Bells varieties)
Vienna Regulators
8 Day "Ting Tang" Clocks (All varieties)
Cuckoo Clocks
Dutch Zaandam Clocks
Mass Produced 30 Hour & 8 Day Timepieces (subject to condition)
"2 inch B" Timepiece Movements (Repair or Renew)
QUARTZ Timepieces & Chiming Clocks (All types - Replacement of the movement - not repair)
Quartz Clock & Watch Battery Replacement
Novelty Clocks
Anniversary/400-Day Clocks (Subject to manufacturer/condition)
Watch Repairs (Mechanical & Quartz)
* If a clock can be repaired (satisfactorily and economically) then we will accept it.
The poorer the condition the longer the period of time required to have the clock on the premises.
Patience and perseverance on the part of both the Repairer and the Customer usually brings rewards!
** All turnaround times given for repairs are approximate and can vary by several weeks when necessary.
Cost estimates are also approximate, the main variation being on costs of essential parts.
wightime@aol.co.uk
Tel: 01983 752418
~ Services ~
Repair & Overhaul
When a clock is brought to us for Repair/Overhaul you can rest assured that the task will be carried out both thoroughly and professionally. Each job is treated individually and given great care and attention - precisely what any owner should be able to expect. Traditional methods and tools are used as well as a handful of "modern" equipment. We see too many clocks that have received bodged repairs or have simply been dunked in a cleaning bath "as is." Unsurprisingly, such methods are simply not acceptable to a professional Horologist. At Wightime we strip, clean and repair EVERY job manually. The majority of the maintenance, cleaning and tender loving care is administered by hand with all relevant movement parts also visiting one of two Ultrasonic Cleaning Baths during the whole process - but NOT whilst a movement is still assembled.
As an example, a "routine" repair of a clock movement will involve inspection, dismantling, inspection, repairing and cleaning as/where necessary, re-bushing as/where necessary, ultrasonic cleaning, cleaning by hand, re-assembly, lubrication, inspection, testing and a return of movement to case for final testing. The bulk of this process can take hours or days depending upon the type and condition of any one movement. Full testing/running in and timing generally takes 2-4 weeks or longer if adjustments are undertaken.
All work is carried out on the premises with some time consuming damage to parts being passed to equally long established and professional specialists. This assists with the progress of any one project - a vital asset in a workshop that is as busy as ours.
As has been mentioned elsewhere, perseverance and patience are generally very rewarding when tackling clock movements with or without serious problems. No matter how long it takes, the more complicated and prolonged tasks become a labour of love when working towards a successful outcome. Time cannot be hurried (quite literally) and to rush any work is simply not an option.
Please Note that ALL clock repair work is carried out at the workshop (except wheel & glass cutting). It is not possible to work on any clock whilst it remains with the owner. The correct facilities and tools must be employed at all times.
Setting Up
A setting up service is available where we visit your home/premises to set up a clock or clocks after a move, redecoration etc. We will also take large/Longcase clocks into our care ahead of a planned house move (movement/pendulum/weights only for Longcase clocks) and then deliver and install them when the move is complete.
Movement Replacement
We not only deal with Antique and Modern Clocks but also those from the battery powered (Quartz) generation. Quartz timepiece and chiming movements do become life expired with an average life expectancy of 8-12 years (from our experience) but a new lease of life to beloved clocks is possible. As long as the construction of the clock permits, we can replace the standard quartz movements (excluding Alarm Clocks) and supply new hands if/where required. We also stock the most popular replacement mini-quartz movements for the ever-growing range of collectable novelty and miniature clocks on the market.
Other than in extreme cases, mechanical clocks will not be butchered in favour of a quartz movement.
Glass Replacement
A selection of clock glasses are held in stock with others available to order. Bevelled edge and "non-standard" glasses for carriage clocks/barometers etc can also be supplied via a Specialist glass cutter.
If you have any questions or price enquiries, do please get in touch via
wightime@aol.co.uk
Copyright Wightime 2018
