KlokWurX
the UK's complete
Watch, Clock and
Jewellery
Repair
Service
PLEA for HELP:
We are always
searching for
copies of original
instruction sheets
and booklets for ANY
old clock to add to
these pages. If you
have one lying at
the back of a drawer,
gathering dust, could
we ask that you
consider donating it
to us for inclusion
on this site?
Some notes regarding our 'Anniversary' or '400-Day' Clock Repairs Service
KlokWurX are proud to be amongst only a handful of organisations which regularly service, repair and overhaul 400 Day clocks.
These others, without exception, avoided working on these clocks wherever possible, because they viewed them as being too problematic and difficult.
Some of our peers at that time even looked with disdain at Anniversary clocks as being 'not proper clocks' and 'not worthy of repair'.
The truth of course was that they didn't understand the clock, and lacked the skills necessary to feel confident in dealing with them. Like most other areas of expertise it is only built up through experience and dedication, and because we undertook the work we learned and became expert, whilst they didn't.
Therefore we are proud of our claim to be experts in this aspect of our service.
We believe that the Anniversary clock is a beautiful example of horological invention, and continues to be greatly undervalued today.
Granted, some manufacturers experimented with plastic components to reduce costs, and this generally indicates a clock of poor quality, but ...if you have an all metal, mechanical, 400-Day clock in your home, then generally, you have a very good and well made timepiece which is without doubt well worth looking after.
All our Servicing of 400-Day clocks come with our 12months Guarantee, and is supplemented by our 'No-Nonsense' support service.
This Guarantees you access to our advice line either by telephone, or email, at any time during your ownership of the clock, once it has been serviced by us.
We know then that you will be delighted with the quality of our services.
Occasionally though we do receive enquiries concerning our charges.
Sometimes, we are even asked why our fees for this type of clock appear more expensive than for clocks which may have a greater intrinsic value.
We understand why some clients fail to appreciate at first why our professional fees are set as they are.
We appreciate that, if looked at simplistically, it could appear unjustifiable that it costs, (say) £80, to have a service carried out on a clock which is, "only worth", about £90. Whilst a clock with a value ten times greater can be serviced for about the same, or even possibly slightly less.
Like most other things 'engineering' related, the effort in repair and restoration is not always linked to intrinsic worth.
Our 400-Day (Anniversary clock) charges consist of elements to account for
1: Our expertise
2: Our quality of service
3: Our guarantee
4: Our commitment to after-service support for your clock.
...and most importantly...
5: The time taken to clean and restore these clocks.
In particular this latter is influenced largely by the higher degree of importance with these clocks in ensuring the escapement is thoroughly examined and set. This is an item which on 'regular' timepieces rarely if ever gives problems once factory set, yet (because of their design) has to be critically examined for every aspect of its' settings and alignment on Torsion Pendulum clocks.2: Our quality of service
3: Our guarantee
4: Our commitment to after-service support for your clock.
...and most importantly...
5: The time taken to clean and restore these clocks.
Another element of the charging structure is that we must accept a higher level of risk of call-back with these items simply because of our inability to ensure that the clock, once back in your home, is located appropriately. We must accept that we have an inability to effect such directly within your home, and this 'risk' is an element that we must account for in our charging.
Another factor of course is our commitment to see the job through by telephone and email support, etc; until you (or your customer) are satisfied.
We fully acknowledge that owners can perhaps find repairers and hobbyists who will attempt to undertake ... (and at times succeed in... ) the repair of these fascinating clocks for less, ... but like most other things in life ... you get what you pay for.
We have been asked to compete on price with these lesser service providers, but our answer is always to explain the above and gently decline such requests. Our fees are for a professional service. One where we never cry 'enough', until the client is happy.
So, if you are a proud owner of one of these timepieces, please consider this when selecting your repairer.
POSITIONING NOTES
You can also assist us to provide you with a better service by being aware that for reliable running your 400-Day clock must be located in a position which is both stable, and protected from fluctuating heatsources, etc.
You should think, when siting your clock, of items such as radiators for central heating which were not prevalent when the clocks were originally designed.
The tiny air currents caused by radiators, especially if positioned immediately underneath the clock, can cause havoc with it's reliability.
Also consider that the cases of the clocks are not airtight, ...that the pendulum is a rotating series of globes suspended from a thin wire, ...and that in some cases it only takes the slightest draught to cause the pendulum to lose some of it's impulse.
The loss of even the smallest amount of this impulse, can cause erratic timekeeping of the clock, and in worst cases can stop the clock completely.
In our experience call-backs to these clocks are almost exclusively a cause of inappropriate positioning of the timepiece.
We would therefore remind all customers, whether Trade or Public that the sensitivity of the escapement of these clocks makes positioning an important consideration.
Please read the original instructions which were produced by the manufacturers (click the buttons on the left at the top of the page), then add in such modern day concerns as central heating when you are deciding on a position for the clock.
We cannot accept responsibility for your choice of clock position, nor can we guarantee that it's location is appropriate without a site visit by one of our staff; ... and we strongly suggest that you avoid such a call wherever possible as it will be an additional (and considerable) chargeable cost.
Whilst we may be in business, and are more than happy to accept anyones money, we don't want to charge you for work which, with just a little forethought, you can take care of yourself.
Regulating your 400-Day Clock
For the majority of customers this should not be necessary as we will have set the regulation prior to shipping. However, there are times when the regulation may not be correct after a few months of running, and you might want to adjust it for yourself.
This then describes what you need to do:-
The majority of these clocks have either a 3-ball or 4-ball pendulum.
These have a round, knurled "regulating disc" (looks like a washer with a + and - engraved upon it) at the top of the arms carrying the balls.
When turned, it will make the balls move towards, or away from, the centre of the pendulum.
The direction in which the disc should be turned to make the clock go faster or slower depends upon the design of the pendulum. Look for the letters + (or 'F' [fast]) and - (or 'S' [slow]) on the top of, or near to, the disc.
PLEASE NOTE: --- BEFORE you attempt to regulate the clock you should gently stop the pendulum rotating; - let it return to it's central resting position; - apply the LOCKING MECHANISM to stop the pendulum moving whilst you are adjusting he regulator, (and thereby reducing any risk of damage to the sensitive suspension spring) and then proceed to adjust by small increments the regulating disc. You should not turn the regulator by more than about 2 degrees at any one time, and should allow the clock to run for a week or so before adjusting again.
When you are ready to re-start the clock you should place it in it's final position, release the Locking Mechanism, and GENTLY rotate the pendulum by about 3/4 of a revolution (no more than a maximum of 1 revolution) and release. The clock should restart. Clocks made earlier than the 1930's didn't have the balls and were fitted with disc pendulums.
On these there are two small disc weights which can be moved by turning the threaded rod with a key. They will go toward or away from the centre of the pendulum (turn key toward F or A to make the clock go faster, or toward S or R to make the clock go slower). These clocks came with a double-end key for both regulating and winding. If yours is missing we can probably supply a replacement.
This document
maintained by admin@KlokWurX.com.
Material Copyright © 1979..2003 I.E.Broadbent, TimeCrafts &
KlokWurX