Bring Time Back to Life: Antique Clock Mechanism Restoration
Diagnosing Wear Before You Touch a Screw
Reading pivot holes and bushings
Oval pivot holes, black trails around arbors, and spiraled wear patterns predict power losses. Confirm with controlled endshake and side-shake checks. Bush only when depthing and geometry demand it, not simply because a hole looks dark.
Escapement clues in the beat
Listen for even tick-tock spacing. Unequal lock and drop on anchor pallets reveals crutch misalignment, bent teeth, or pallet face wear. Post a short recording; we’ll help decipher the rhythm and point toward precise corrections.
Power train and mainsprings
Check for set mainsprings, cracked barrels, rough clicks, and worn ratchet teeth. Count each wheel and pinion to verify train ratios. Always use a proper mainspring winder and eye protection. Share your safest winding practices below.
Cleaning the Movement Without Erasing History
01
Document, disassemble, and label
Sketch train paths, mark plate orientation, and photograph levers at rest. Use trays with sections, paper tags, and gentle witness marks. Let down power fully before disassembly. Slow hands and clear notes prevent painful, avoidable mistakes.
02
Solutions, ultrasonic care, and rinses
Choose non-ammoniated cleaners for vulnerable brass, and keep shellac-bonded components away from harsh baths. Peg pivot holes with sharpened wood, rinse thoroughly, and dry with warm air. Lightly pass pivots through pith wood to remove residual film.
03
Patina and polish: a balanced approach
Respect mellow lacquer, time-softened edges, and honest tool marks. Avoid mirror finishes that scream modern. If you must brighten, do so sparingly and evenly. Where do you stand on patina? Cast your vote and explain your reasoning.
Mechanical Repairs That Respect Original Geometry
Center the old hole from unworn witness, not the oval wear. Use KWM or Bergeon systems appropriately, cut clean oil sinks, and verify mesh with a depthing tool. Test under light pressure before committing to final reassembly.
Mechanical Repairs That Respect Original Geometry
True bent pivots between centers, polish with progressively finer abrasives, then burnish to harden and close pores. Maintain diameter; over-reduction increases friction and wear. Demagnetize tools and keep abrasive dust away from plate bushings.
Reassembly, Lubrication, and the First Heartbeat
Use light synthetic clock oils on pivots, a touch of grease in barrels and clicks, and never drown teeth or pallet faces. Less is more. Wick away excess; the cleanest film runs the longest.
Dial, Hands, and Case: Completing the Story
Clean with distilled water and mild surfactant, never forcing stains into cracks. Stabilize loose paint with conservation-grade adhesives like B-72, and avoid heavy retouch. Document every intervention so future caretakers understand your choices.
Dial, Hands, and Case: Completing the Story
True bent hands on soft wood, protect original bluing, and seat collets so they grip without scarring arbors. Check clearance over the canon and dial. Share your safest method for heat-bluing without blotches or warping.
