Antique & modern clock repair & restoration | Ashland, Virginia 804-752-6633

Clock Repair & Restoration

Since 1982, Mark has been working to perfect his craft as a clockmaker. He works on the following:

Carriage clocks, ship's clocks and other clocks with hairsprings and balance escapements
French and Viennese clocks with their fine pivots and gearings
Antique English spring driven clocks with fusees and complicated designs that sometimes include automation
All forms of antique and modern grandfather clocks.

His favorite is the repair and restoration of the weight driven antique long case (circa 1600-1850) and the complicated tubular bell clocks of the late 1800's and early 1900's, all of which are commonly referred to as "grandfather" clocks.

804-752-6633

Three fine examples of antique American long case clocks.

The work done to these clocks varied with their condition. Dial and case work was done as needed.

Bracket clocks are probably the earliest form of spring driven clocks.

They usually have very heavy barrel encased mainsprings connecting to the gear train using chains or gut cables running to fusées. Fusées are devices used to equalize the mainspring power to the gear train whether the mainspring is wound up tight or winding down.

The movements are very heavy and as large or larger than most long case movements.

In general, these clocks require a more complex repair because of the archaic escapements and complicated striking systems used in most of them as well as the complications added by the use of fusees and mainsprings.

The photograph at the right is a side view of the antique London fusée movement from the bracket clock pictured at left.

The clock pictured on the right is an exceptional example of a French mantle clock.

French clock movements are usually round, have light weight strength mainsprings and tiny pivots, and are built to very precise standards. Because of their fine construction, they can be perceived as finicky, but when in good order and set up properly, they will give very satisfactory service.

As evidenced by both clocks pictured, cases are finely made and often very elegant.

Before and after photographs of this attractive Scottish long case dial show a fine example of painted dial restoration. (click for larger view)

Cleaning, stabilizing loose paint, replacing worn black lettering, infilling missing background, and replacing gold leaf or decorative painting are appropriate conservation and restoration solutions available to dials in poor condition.

This circa 1712-36 brass dial had been polished many times until all silvering and brightness of the brass had been lost. (click for larger view)

The green verdigris in minute cracks and crevices of the dial was evidence of corrosive polishing compounds left behind that would have continued to cause damage.

By disassembling the dial, cleaning and polishing various parts, repairing damaged parts, replacing black wax, re-silvering where appropriate, and lacquering to maintain its restored luster, this dial now complements its case by looking as it should and did look almost 300 years ago.