Clock Care

Clock Care


Helpful Hints & Tips


Things To Do

 

1) Wind the clock Fully once a week. On a spring wound striking clock the Left-hand Arbour is for the Strike & the Right-hand Arbour is for the Timepiece. On a spring wound chiming clock the Left-hand Arbour is for the Strike & the Centre Arbour is for the Timepiece and the Right-hand Arbour

is for the Chimes.


2) If a penduum clock requires regulating – turn the nut on the Pendulum to the LEFT to make the clock LOSE. Turn the nut on the Pendulum to the RIGHT to make the clock GAIN. Approximately one turn in either direction represents one minute a day or thereabouts. Avoid over-adjustment by one turn at a time, putting the clock to time and allowing it to settle for a week.

 

3) Have the clock overhauled by a professional Horologist based on site at a reputable & well-established business at least every 4 to 5 years to avoid excessive wear & tear.

 

4) Keep the clock in a relatively constant atmosphere.

(i.e. not where extremes of cold or warmth could be detrimental to the clock’s performance).

 

5) If the clock needs to be moved/transported, ALWAYS keep it UPRIGHT and ALWAYS remove the pendulum, and weights if a weight driven clock.

 

Things Not To Do

 

1) DO NOT turn the hands backwards as this will cause damage.

 

2) DO NOT advance the time shown on the dial without allowing the clock to strike each Hour

and Half Hour.

 

3) DO NOT move the Clock unless absolutely necessary.

 

4) DO NOT, if possible, allow a striking/chiming clock to run down and stop, except when you are away from home for more than 7-8 days. If the clock does run down, wind the Strike/Chime FIRST and always allow the clock to strike each Half Hour and Hour (or each Quarter Chime & the Hourly Strike if a Chiming Clock) whilst setting the time. When the Clock runs down the Strike/Chime and Timepiece mechanisms can sometimes jam up so winding the STRIKE/CHIME mechanism FIRST

is essential.           

            Simply stopping the pendulum will also avoid any problems if away more than 7 days.

 

5) DO NOT set a Striking/Chiming clock to time after it has run down until it has been fully wound.

This will avoid possible damage to the lifting devices behind the dial and within the clock movement. (See Point No.4)

 

6) DO NOT attempt to lubricate the clock movement with household oils, spray oils or any other form of lubricant as these will act as a ”glue” to the moving parts of the clock and eventually prevent the movement from working. Special light & durable clock oil is required and should be administered during servicing/overhaul by a qualified Horologist.

 

7) DO NOT expect Quartz timekeeping from mechanical clocks. Spring and weight driven clocks were invented Centuries before batteries and quartz movements were even thought of. Expect a little variation in timekeeping, which is in no way a fault – but is perfectly normal. Factors such as atmospheric and weather conditions or central heating may also affect mechanical clocks on occasion.

 

8) DO NOT excessively clean the exterior of the clock case with cleaners (such as Brasso on a Carriage Clock) as the residue can work its way inside the case with a likelihood of particles dropping into the movement within. Likewise, the glass must be cleaned with extreme care and only when necessary. Do not press hard and only use a soft cloth for any cleaning.

 

Please just get in touch if you have any questions regarding the above or clock repair enquiries.