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Commentary about clock repair and clock history from Bill’s Clockworks and ClockHistory.com

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A New Glass Tablet for My Early Seth Thomas Ogee Clock

By on July 22, 2009

I blogged about this clock shortly after receiving it in April. At that time, it had an incorrect picture in the door. Lee Davis painted a reproduction on old glass for me. I am extremely pleased with this clock. The case veneer needs some repair, but I can enjoy it as it is for now.

Related posts:

  1. Early Seth Thomas Brass Movement OG Clock
  2. Seth Thomas Mantel Clock Glass Sizes
  3. Seth Thomas Mahogany Adamantine clock, 4830
  4. CakePHP: Many views – one controller
  5. Seth Thomas Tambour Mantel Clock with Enamel Dial

My First 400 Day Clock

By on July 21, 2009

My parents gave me a 400 day clock for Christmas in 1968, when I was 13 years old. It is a Schatz miniature, dated 5 56 (May 1956) on the back, indicating that it is 13 months younger than I am. The clock came with a spare suspension unit, which I immediately installed, and the clock started working. The clock has been with me all these years. A few years ago, I took it apart for movement cleaning and bezel polishing, and a few days ago I polished and lacquered the outer part of the base to make it more photogenic. The separate base center cover has a nice patina so I left it alone. Thanks to this thoughtful gift from my parents, 400 day clocks are a favorite of mine, and a favorite part of my clock repair business is repairing these great clocks! (The red ring around the base is a reflection of the red background.)

Related posts:

  1. Heco Miniature 400 Day Clock (Made by Kern)
  2. Schatz Standard 400 Day Clock with Round Silver Dial, Dated November 1952
  3. Schatz 400 Day Clock Repaired for the Schatz Family
  4. Schatz Diamond Dial 400 Day Clock Made in 1952
  5. Schatz Standard 400 Day Clock Dated 10 54 (October 1954)

Schatz Standard 400 Day Clock with Round Silver Dial, Dated November 1952

By on July 19, 2009

I recently overhauled this clock, including polishing 10 pivots and smoothing the corresponding pivot holes with a round broach. The base had 9 short vertical cracks, and I was able to successfully polish it.  The movement is dated 11 52 on the back.

Repair job 4928.

Related posts:

  1. Schatz Standard 400 Day Clock Dated November 1952
  2. Schatz Diamond Dial 400 Day Clock Made in 1952
  3. Schatz Standard 400 Day Clock Dated 10 54 (October 1954)
  4. Schatz Standard 400 Day Clock with Black and White Dial
  5. Schatz Standard 400 Day Clock, Cream Painted Dial

Seth Thomas Mahogany Adamantine clock, 4830

By on July 13, 2009

I just repaired this Seth Thomas mantel clock in a mahogany color Adamantine case. It has a No. 89 movement with a solid back plate. The case is 16 1/4 inches wide (including feet) and 11 inches tall. The bottom of the case has date code 81B (February 1918).

The escape wheel had two teeth that were too short due to damage by a previous repairer. The slide show below shows that the damaged teeth were removed, a brass plug inserted, and then 2 teeth filed to shape.

Both mainsprings were original Seth Thomas springs, one .0177 inch thick and the other .0165 inch thick. I don’t know for sure which one was originally on which side (time or strike). The .0177 inch thick spring was too strong. The thinner spring did not unwind smoothly. I replaced both with Merritt’s P-1956 springs 3/4 inch wide x 0.0165 inch thick x 96 inches long.

One thing strange about the case is that one end is mahogany Adamantine, but the other end is black! (see slide show below). It appears to have been made this way.

Repair job 4830

Related posts:

  1. Mainsprings for Seth Thomas Adamantine, 89C Movement
  2. Seth Thomas Adamantine Clock
  3. Seth Thomas Adamantine
  4. Mainsprings for Seth Thomas Queen Anne, Time and Strike, with Second Hand
  5. Seth Thomas Sparta Adamantine Mantel Clock