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

ClockInfo.com

Koma Midget 400 Day Clock

By on July 10, 2010

This midget 400 day clock was made by Koma (Konrad Mauch) in Germany in the late 1950s. It is 7 1/16 inches tall (to top of finial) and 4 11/16 inches wide. The dial diameter is 2 15/16 inches (including bezel).

The pendulum on this clock turns much faster than that on many 400 day clocks – 15 beats per minute. By comparison, standard size 400 day clocks make 8 beats per minute, and the Kern miniature makes only 6 beats per minute.

This album has more photos.

Here is a movie of this clock in operation

Here is a movie of this clock and a Kern miniature together:

Horolovar back plate no. 1393B. Suspension unit similar to 38 but uses smaller fork. Suspension spring .0022 inch thick (measure replacement spring carefully – the first one I tried was labeled 0.0022 but made the clock run too fast and was actually 0.0023 inch thick). The movement uses a pin pallet escapement.


Share this post:


facebooktwittergoogle_pluspinterestlinkedin

Koma standard 400 day clock, painted with flowers, 1950s.

By on May 13, 2010

This 400 day clock has a Koma standard movement, but the dial is labeled “Elbico”. Parts of the clock are finished in black paint, with hand painted flowers on the dial, pillars and pendulum.

The suspension guard on the rear has 2 “wings” which hinge down to protect the lower end of the suspension spring during shipping.

Repair job 5148. Horolovar back plate number 1393, 0.0035 inch thick suspension spring, suspension unit 13A.


Share this post:


facebooktwittergoogle_pluspinterestlinkedin

Koma Miniature 400 Day Clock

By on November 9, 2009

I just repaired this Koma (Konrad Mauch) miniature 400 day clock from the mid-1950s. The case is 8 1/2 inches tall (not including handle), and is 10 1/4 inches tall including handle. The dial’s diameter is 4 3/8 inches overall. The case has glass in the front and sides, and a hinged brass back door. There is a knob on the back of the movement which is pulled out and turned to set the time.

The movement is similar to Horolovar back plate Nos. 1395C, 1398, 1398A, 1399 and 1399A but says “W4″ in the upper left corner.  The Horolovar 400 Day Clock Repair Guide says that these movements need suspension unit 14A with a .0032 inch thick suspension spring. When I tried the .0032 inch spring, the clock ran too fast. A .0031 inch spring makes this clock regulate properly, with the pendulum’s regulator near the center of its range.

Below is a video of this clock:

Here is a slideshow of this clock:

Repair job 5025.


Share this post:


facebooktwittergoogle_pluspinterestlinkedin