When your clock stops working finding your clock movements model number is easy. I will start with the most widely used movement in almost 80% of all clocks made, Hermle. Usually it is better to replace an older movement with a new one because it is pretty close in cost to have it repaired, oiled and cleaned. The new movements have better bearings in them than most of the older movements so if your movement is older than 30 years old best to replace it.
First you will need to get at the back of your movement. Sometimes you can take off a panel or go in through a side door or take the hood off. Carefully move your clock away from the wall or off the wall and look at how you can access the movement. Sometimes a small mirror will be good enough because all you need to do is find out what numbers are etched on the back plate.
In the Hermle line of clock movements there will usually be 3 sets of numbers. Here is an example of a grandfather clock movement that is popular. 1161-853/114 The first group of numbers usually are either 3 or 4 digits long. So in this example we are looking at the 1161-853/114 which is the number in bold. On another website that I found these numbers are broken down into groups and they explain what they mean and what kind of movement it is.
The second set of numbers in the example 1161-853/114 is the hand-shaft length and the winding style. The 8 tells us that it is a cable driven movement. If it were a 053 this would tell us that it was a chain driven movement. The 53 tell us what size the hand-shaft is.
The last set of numbers in our example 1161-853/114 is the pendulum length. It is usually based on the tip of the bob to the post at the top of the movement. Sometimes there are other letters like an H and they are a special series that were produced. You only need to use the 3 sets of numbers when looking these up.
Joe is a Woodworker specializing in Clock movements, Clocks, Kitchens and Drum sets. I have been woodworking for over 35 years in Hawaii and Denver and love helping people with their craft.
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