The Horolovar 400 Day Clock Repair Guide specifies a 0.0023 inch thick suspension spring for the Schatz model 53 miniature 53 movement. I just repaired one that ran too slow with a 0.0023 inch spring, so I installed a 0.0024 and it keeps good time (my repair job no. 5212). The pendulum looks normal, but perhaps its weight is slightly different?
I repaired another one a couple of months ago (job 5113) that also needed a 0.0024 inch thick spring. This one was slightly different in that the spring needed to be 1/8 inch longer than usual for the pendulum locking device to work.
This beautiful little clock was given to my customer’s mother in 1960, but it never worked for more than 5 minutes. It spent its life sitting idly on a shelf, and was given to my customer recently.
I disassembled the movement and cleaned it. A couple of the pivot holes were slightly too tight, and the suspension fork tines were slightly too close together. After adjusting these things, reassembly and lubrication, the clock is now running well.
This is a Schatz “London Coach” 400 day clock that was made in September 1955. These beautiful clocks were very popular in the 1950s and early 1960s, in fact my parents and grandparents each had one that my uncle sent back from Germany. Most of them (including this one) have plastic panels in the case.
This one needed a movement overhaul and new suspension spring. I also polished and lacquered the case.
Here is a slideshow of more photos:
Repair job 5113. The movement is the Schatz miniature “53″. Horolovar back plate no. 1013A. Date code 9 55. This model normally uses a 0.0023 inch thick suspension spring and suspension unit 10A. This example needed a 0.0024 inch thick spring to keep time properly, and it had to be about 1/8 inch longer than usual to make the pendulum locking device work.
This beautiful model of Schatz 400 day clock was made from the mid-1950s into the 1960s or early 1970s. Here is one that I just finished repairing. The case is in good original condition. The movement needed cleaning, one pivot polished, and a new suspension spring.
Below is a photo of the gears and anchor before the back plate and anchor bridge were put on, followed by photos of the complete clock, the back, and a closeup of the back showing the locking device engaged with the pendulum (there is also a locking lever on the front, which is moved to the left to lock the pendulum).
Below are videos of the escapement in action, and the complete clock running with and without the dome.
Job 4785
Back plate: 1013A
Suspension unit: 10A
Suspension spring: 0.0024 inches (most of these clocks need a .0023 inch thick spring, but this one needed a .0024 to rate properly
Movement date: 8-55 (August 1955)
