UPDATE: My dear daughter found someone to repair my clock! It is working and happy again. It wasn't as much money as I was quoted elsewhere, and done much faster! Hooray for peeps tinkering around in their basements!The cuckoo clock is next!
Yes, decisions. Hubby did some research. There is a clock repair in Brockville. Off we went.
I inherited this clock from my mother and father. It has a T. Eaton's Company info piece on the back. It plays the traditional Westminster chimes on the quarter hour. I love hearing it in the wee hours when I have insomnia and I'm curious about the time!
I've had it on our bookshelf, under General Grant's photo (bought in Seattle).
At one time, the clock would only work if it sat under the General. Now, I cannot get it to work, at all. It'll go Tick-TOCK, Tick-TOCK, and then peters out. In addition, the clock face cover hinges are a bit weary.
The final problem, I had the winding key on the dining room table, and a cat has taken it somewhere. Hubby recalls hearing it hit the floor when I wasn't around. We've looked everywhere for it!We took it to the Heritage Clock Repair in Brockville. Turns out, the gears sit in holes, that have deteriorated. The estimate to have the holes fixed is from $400 - 450. And it will take 6 months.
The alternative is to have a battery-operated system installed for $100 - $200.
The clock was built sometime in the 1920s or 1930s. That's what the horologist said. His wife said to just tilt it up on one side. (That didn't work.) New ones can run $500 - $1500. The other problem is that he said he has so many to repair, it would take six months!!!!!
Decisions, decisions...
They are pretty common, and I have no idea where mom got it from, lots for sale on-line.
Then there is the cuckoo clock that sat in the cottage for 50 years. It doesn't work, either!!! We sold the cottage and moved to Lanark County in 2006.
15 comments:
I also have a mantel clock in need of repairs. There is a shop within walking distance to my new place. Unfortunately, the owner had a huge Trump sign on his lawn for the past month so I am not going to give him my business -- at least not any time soon. The clock has not worked for quite some time so waiting is not going to bother me.
I have my grandmothers mantel clock which my mother won in a contest when she was a teenager. It's a Seth Thomas make.
It didn't work when I inherited it but my friend fixed it up right as rain. He had to take the winding mechanism apart and clean all the innards because it was all mucked up with dust and whatnot from sitting on the mantel above the fireplace for years. After that it sat in my mothers (greasy, don't ask) kitchen for another twenty years or so. It was quite a mess.
My son is really into collecting mantel clocks so I'm going to pass it to him one of these years.
(Mine had TWO keys tucked inside!)
I guess one option is to just keep them as decorations and souvenirs of the past.
That's a decision to make ... wonder what you will do?
Lovely antique. Sorry it's going to cost $$$...If I had any, I'd buy a new camera!
Funny anecdote about your cat. They do the darnedest things!
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Nice for decoration ♥
Hari OM
Yes we have two, one from mum's side and one from dad's side, each with their own characteristics and neither in working order. Dust gatherers. ... YAM xx
Maybe just let is sit there for now, and think about the decision.
Hi Jenn. Well if you can watch "Flog It" you know that old chiming clocks are valuable antiques - like us. Maybbe you should invest. Like you say, a hard decision.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTu7M4vQoz4
I've also got one in need of repairs.
Clocks are so tricky to repair. My dad collects them and he actually drives them 4 hours to a guy for repair and then leaves them for months before returning to pick them up. Me? I definitely will not be taking up clock collecting! Too much hassle.
Oh my. This reminds me of a sore subject with my wife. Time to find a serious repair shop...:)
Fixing old things is a challenge as parts aren't available and very few people work with clocks. It's like those upright pianos that are being thrown away. HEY, iT'S LIKE ME! SOME OF THE THINGS ARE UNFIXABLE AND NOBODY WANTS TO WORK ON ME!!!
Yes, tough decision! I think it would mean a lot to you if you have the clock repaired.
I love this clock. It reminds me of a smaller one my grandmother had on her mantle. Not sure where it ended up. I have a beautiful Seth Thomas clock from my parents with a painted glass door on the bottom. It's a wind clock that no longer works because the cables for the weights have given out. I now use it as a display clock and still love it. There are so many memories of it as I grew up. - Margy
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