Clock Repair  Watch Repair

Information and FAQ

Tick Tock Productions ™

 Home Page

Clocks or watches for repair and other time pieces

Clocks are represented by various versions.  Each clock version has its’ own distinctive characteristics.  Many countries such as England, France, Germany and the United States of America contribute to the manufacture of a large number of clocks that are distributed throughout the world.  The development of time measuring devices started with sun dials to the present day clocks. 

In the early 1800’s to the early 1900’s, the manufacture of clocks in England were represented by spring driven clocks, high quality regulators, skeleton, bracket, chime, electric and turret clocks.  As the 1800’s progressed, the English trade of clocks for the home diminished as less expensive productions of American, German and French seem to entirely satisfy the demand. 

At the same time there were found in homes, especially in rural areas, a large number of tall case clocks.  Also known as grandfather clocks.  There were two common tall case clocks.  There were the 30 hour clocks which required winding each day.  Then there were 8 day clocks which required a weekly wind.  These clocks testified to the workmanship and ability of English clockmakers.  They were characterized by quality of their movements and cases.  The primary issue for most people was the cost.  Many of these became and remain a piece of furniture regardless if it was working.  Many of the working clocks because of their durability remained working and faithfully keep their duty to tell time for upwards of 100 years without repair.  Modern clock do not last as well.  These old clocks were made in many of the popular towns and cities.  Each clock maker cutting his own wheels and the manufacturing of the entire movement.  Cases were often supplied by the local cabinetmaker. 

American clocks are distinct from all the others.  They were mass produced using machinery with the most economical methods and principles.   There were inexpensive, appealingly designed and considered fair time keepers.  American clocks were very popular in England and commonly found in many households.  Some were weight driven in a case, but most used mainsprings.  Unlike most English and European clocks, the American clocks did not have mainsprings that were fitted in a barrel.  The inner most coil of the mainspring hooked to a winding arbor in the usual way.  The outer end of the mainspring formed into a loop which slipped on to one of the movement frame pillar posts. 

The dials of American clocks were typically made from sheet metal, iron, zinc and cut into shape.  The front of the dial was painted with white enamel paint.  The process requires the metal dial to be slightly heated during the process.  When the dial enamel is dry, the circles for the minutes are painted on by brush.  A stencil plate is used by laying it on the dial to mark off the positions of the hours.  The paint used for the numerals is lamp black (soot of oil lamps) mixed with a copal resign varnish to a proper consistency.  Skilled hands would paint in the roman numerals for the hours in the correct locations on the dial using fine brushes.  Mostly women were employed for the work of dial painting.  With practice, they would attain great accuracy and speed.       

How To Clock repair Watch repair  answers, information and FAQs. 

 Click here to email any questions.