Clocks That Run Again — From the People Who Brought Them to Us

The Situation

A German-made eight-day mantel clock with Westminster chime had stopped running entirely after the owner noticed increasing noise from the movement. The clock was wound regularly but would stop within hours of starting. Two shops in the Klang Valley had declined to work on it.

What Was Done

Full movement strip, ultrasonic clean and pivot inspection. Three pivots showed significant wear and the corresponding bushes were over-sized through years of friction. New bushes were pressed in, the going and chime trains were checked for depth, and the suspension spring was replaced. The movement was re-lubricated and timed over five days on the bench before a home visit.

Outcome

Clock running for four months without stopping. Rate within two minutes per week. The chime and the quarter repeat are synchronised and the strike count is accurate. Owner received a written condition note and 24-month coverage.

"I had been told it was too far gone. It was not." — Client, Ipoh

The Situation

A late nineteenth-century French carriage clock kept excellent time for the first twelve hours after winding but lost approximately four minutes over the second half of the power reserve. The owner had the movement serviced two years prior elsewhere and noticed the rate drop worsening.

What Was Done

Power reserve measured on arrival: approximately 32 hours, with visible rate decline in the final 14. Barrel opened and inspected. The original mainspring showed set — it had lost its coiled tension and was not delivering consistent drive through the full reserve. New mainspring fitted to the correct dimensions for the movement. Barrel cleaned and greased. Click and ratchet adjusted.

Outcome

Post-renewal power reserve measured at 38 hours with consistent rate across the full duration — variation under one minute from first hour to last. Owner received the original mainspring in a labelled envelope and a chart comparing before and after measurements.

"The chart made the difference visible. Worth keeping." — Client, Taiping

The Situation

An English longcase clock passed through four generations of a Perak family had not run for eleven years. The weights were missing, one line had snapped, the dial had significant surface soiling and the case trunk had a split in the panel below the door. The family wanted it running again without altering its appearance.

What Was Done

First site visit: assessment, photographs, movement removal. Bench programme: full movement rebuild, worn bushings throughout the going and strike train, suspension spring replaced. Dial surface cleaned conservatively, no repainting. Replacement weights sourced to original specification. Line replaced, pulley inspected. Case panel split repaired and finished to match. Second site visit: movement reinstalled, clock levelled, rate checked.

Outcome

Clock has been running continuously since April 2025. Rate within thirty seconds per day. Family received a photographic record covering all stages of the work, a joinery and finish report and a written maintenance calendar for the next decade. Programme spanned thirteen weeks across two site visits.

"My grandmother would have recognised it immediately." — Client, Batu Gajah