Articles on: Mechanical Movements

How do I order an Antique Clock Movement replacement?

Knowledge Base
Antique clock movement replacement ordering

Article sections



Antique clock movement replacement ordering



Antique clock movement replacement ordering is done by matching up certain measurements. The new movement will fit when the pendulum length, winding arbor spacing, and hand shaft length all match the antique. These clock movements measure the same as the ones that were in mass production in the USA from around 1900 to 1945. They are a nice replacement for many of the antique movements such as Sessions or New Haven and others.

The pendulum drop



The "drop" is a term to indicate the pendulum length. However, it is not the measurement of just the pendulum. The length is from the handshaft down to the very bottom of the pendulum rating nut threads. Thus, this measurement is approximate and will vary with a lighter or heavier pendulum bob.

Hand shaft length



The hand shaft is the shaft that the clock hands are on. To match the measurements properly, the antique clock movement should have the dial and hands off the clock. The measurement of the entire handshaft is possible with the front of the movement accessible. This would be from the front plate of the movement all they way out to the end of the minute hand nut threads. This measurement is important to match up because if wrong it can create depth issues.

Winding arbor configuration



The winding arbor measurements from one to the other and also to the hand shaft would need to match. This allows the clock to use the same clock dial it had in the past.

Antique clock movement replacement - Movement alone or clock kit



There are two choices, the movement alone for replacing a current movement or a kit that includes the movement / pendulum / hands / key / gong and base so you can swap out everything but the dial. It may be best to get these additional parts just in case you need them. Clockworks will custom drill a 6 inch dial with gold trim for the movement kit at no charge. This will be in the kit with the exception of the mantle clock kits. The reason for this is because the mantle dials are more intricate and no longer made.

The content of this website is copyright by Clockworks and written by James Stoudenmire in year 2020

Last Updated: 2 months ago in

Updated on: 05/08/2022

Was this article helpful?

Share your feedback

Cancel

Thank you!