Hello,

I’m looking for information on this Zenith table clock with alarm. The movement is stamped “Zenith Watch Co. Swiss Made” with “13” inside the logo, “1103” next to it. The same number, 1103, is written in pencil inside the case back.

What I can see: two barrels (time and alarm), lever escapement on a separate platform with a jewelled balance and index regulator, bell mounted on the back. I can’t measure the movement right now, but I can do it in the next few days if the dimensions are needed for identification.

According to the owner, about 30 years ago the winding started turning freely without resistance, so I suspect a broken mainspring or a click problem. The balance swings freely when the movement is moved.

My questions:

1. Does anyone know the calibre name or number, and the approximate period?
2. Does “13” refer to the jewel count or something else?
3. Has anyone serviced one of these? Any known weak points, original mainspring dimensions or lubrication notes would be very welcome.

I’m a watchmaking student (movement assembly training in Switzerland), and I might try to service it myself.

Thanks in advance.

Hi, this clock was gifted to my late uncle after he graduated (from either college or medical school), and it was passed down to me so it has a lot of sentimental value.

It stopped working recently so I brought it to a shop and they said that the movement needs to be replaced. They were unable to find the right movement after a few weeks, so I took it back. They did tell me that the gear inside is plastic, which may have led to it malfunctioning after a while had past.

I estimate that it was purchased in the late 80s-early 90s since that’s when my uncle would’ve graduated either college or med school. If somebody who is interested could help me identify it and the correct movement, I would be very thankful!!

Also: it might not be visible in the first image, but it does say “Japan” under the 6th hour mark. Not sure if that’s helpful, but might be worth mentioning.

We bought this cuendet cuckoo clock at an estate sale for $100. Never owned one before, but I loved how it looked and always wanted a cuckoo clock. The paperwork we got with it says it was bought in 1986 in switzlerland

Got everything level horizontally/vertivally with a level and the pendulum stops swinging after 30 seconds. What are we doing wrong? Should we just bring it to a clocksmith for service?

The cookoo noise works snd so does the music if you manually move the hour hand to 12 and 6

Found this in an estate sale/salvage warehouse. I don't know shit about fuck when it comes to clocks, but I know fine woodworking and this thing captivated me. Plus I've always wanted a grandfather clock. $800? It would irresponsible to my future wellbeing not to get it. Come to find out it's a Heritage Heirlooms clock from 1991 (with a Kieninger movement made in 1990) that probably hasn't run in 30 years. Another week or so and I get to hear it tick and chime in my dining room. Anyone have more background about this company or these clocks? I can't find much online. I can tell from the clock itself that they put absolutely exceptional craftsmanship and materials into the cabinets.

Found a super cool brass artco alarm clock for $5. Wondering if anyone has any information specific to this clock in particular? The numbers seem to be hand painted, and glows like it is radium paint? I don’t know very much about clocks (I know basically nothing) so I’m not sure what it’ll take to get it up and running again but it’s very cool! Ignore the sticker glue lol

If I were to buy a clock like this or this, how difficult would it be to swap out the old clock mechanism for a newer, silent mechanism? I love the design of these 90's clocks, but I hate the ticking sound they usually have. I'd love to have the 90s aesthetic with a silent clock mechanism. Have other people done swaps like this before? I'm hoping I could fit the old hands on a new silent mechanism, but I guess I won't know for sure until I try. Any thoughts or advice on a project like this? Thanks!

Looking for help with this wall clock.

When hanging on the wall it doesn’t run at all.

When I lay it flat, the gears start moving.

Also, one of the hands moves very easily with a finger, while the other has a bit of tension.

I don’t want to open the movement.

What could be the problem?

And can some one indentify them?

Also, roughly how much would it cost to have this clock professionally cleaned and repaired?

Hi all,

Received this old clock from a friend. I assume it is an Ansonia. Could you help me out with the model and if it were possible let me know how much it is worth nowadays?

The clock runs ans has no damages at all.

Kind regards

G'day.

I'm fairly confident in the identification of the clock. But i cant find any photos of an actual clock other than the one i'm purchasing. It obviously needs some parts but i'd love some photos of a complete example.

So if you have pics or parts please hit me up!

Hello,

I'm trying to understand the limitations clock movements have with the weight of the clock face. I understand that the hands themselves need to be light enough, but at what point does the weight of the clock face affect the timekeeping of a movement as well?

In constructing a basic clock, with a fairly cheap mass produced quartz movement, at what kind of weight do you need to pivot from hanging the clock from the integrated hook in the movement to creating a custom hook/hanger to take the weight instead?

Sorry if this seems like a daft question. The clock movements I've see online don't specify weight limits, so I'm a bit lost

Thank you

My mother was promised her grandmother’s cuckoo clock years ago. Unfortunately, my Aunt manipulated the situation and it is now promised to her. My mom is heartbroken. The first photo is my great-grandmother’s clock, the second photo is from a deleted account and it is identical! If this person is still here under a different account or if you have a near identical cuckoo clock, I’d love talk price!

In Scottsville, VA. On a historic property formerly owned by Peter Jefferson.

I used my metal detector and found these on my parents’ property. Would love to know anything about them.

Hey There - This site has been a great resource. Glad to have found it. Someone was kind enough to help me find my exact Sessions model. Apparently it is a circa 1919 Jefferson. Now I have looked at a lot of clocks that last month and I have NEVER seen this model. Some close variations but not this model. Is it worth anything? Runs, keeps time and dings/dongs.

I digress. I watched a variety of restoration videos and I would like your opinion on how far I should take this? The case itself is in good shape. I was going to wash it (carefully) with some soapy water and maybe Murphy's oil it unless someone says it's a bad idea.

What about the flourish at the top and bottom of the columns? They have a gold luster. Says 'gilt metal trimmings'. I'm not sure if they were once shiny gold or always a little dull. Should I remove them and touch them up with some gold spray paint?

The clock face glass cover is welded into place so I am hesitant to use Brasso on the ring. However, if it needs to be polished to achieve 'the look' I'm willing to do.

So - What are your thoughts?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for help identifying the maker or movement reference for this vintage mechanical clock movement, which I recently acquired at an antique fair in Portugal.

It has no visible maker’s marks, logos, or serial numbers anywhere on the backplate or dial.

Key Features:

• Dial: 10.4 cm (~4.1 in) diameter with Arabic numerals and an inner red 24-hour track (13–24). Lower sub-dial for setting the alarm.
• Mounting: Outer ring with 4 drilled mounting tabs.
• Backplate: Stamped cut-out plate with an A / B regulator (Avance / Retard). The bell and hammer for the alarm system are missing.

Exact Dimensions (shown in attached photos):

• Dial diameter: 10.4 cm
• Backplate: 10.2 cm (height) x 6.2 cm (width)
• Distance between plates (pillar length): 2.5 cm
• Top pillars spacing (horizontal): 5.4 cm
• Top to bottom pillars spacing (vertical): 9.1 cm

AI suspects of a Central European origin (German / Black Forest or French / Swiss ébauche) from around 1910–1930.

Does anyone recognize this specific backplate cut-out shape or pillar configuration? Any pointers on potential manufacturers would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

Not the typical clock you see from Lenzkirch - does anyone have something similar?

I bought it from HerrZeit in the Blackforest Germany. What I know about it is that it is a 8-day mechanical clock with a gong chime.

Hey all, pretty new to Reddit so bear with me. But I could not find this I information anywhere online. I recently designed and 3D printed this pendulum clock and it runs great on a 7.5 lb weight (45mm drum on the drive wheel, about 3 days per wind). I'd love to ditch the unsightly weight and go spring driven.

Hermle mainspring barrels seem like the most plug and play option, but I can't find much info on them.

Two questions:
1. Would a Hermle barrel have enough power to run this?
2. What do I actually need to order? On Timesavers it looks like the barrel, arbor, ratchet, click, key etc. are all separate and I'm kind of lost.

Any help is appreciated, thanks!

I got a new motor for this clock a few years ago and it seems to work, however, the clock is made of glass and is kind of heavy, so when I hang this on the wall with the provided hook, the clock tilts and bottom touches the wall making it so that the motor doesn’t turn the hands properly.

Would anyone know how to fix this? Should I put the clock on a hook and also like command strip the motor to the wall for support?

Thank you!

I got this old made in Mexico Mauthe clock form an antique store

The clock works perfectly, and so does the alarm.

However during transit the hand for the alarm fell of the face and now it’s stock between the dial and body. It seems like an easy repair however I can’t open it

For what I understand I need to remove the keys from the back and legs.

Problem is I haven’t been able to remove the alarm button or the back plate, it’s either stock or a really tight fit.

I really don’t want to break/damage it by using brute strength (as you can see in the pictures the sides are missing a bit of paint, probably from previous services) so any recommendations or help on how to open it would be more than welcome

Dating to the year 725, Yi Xing’s ingenious version of an alarm clock is one of the world’s earliest recorded devices of that nature. Along with the water clock Plato used to wake himself up for his legendary dawn lectures in the 4th century BCE, it is evidence that humans have been looking for ways to rise on time for thousands of years...

The idea was repeated by Europeans who created complex displays within chiming clocks in town squares. The next step was to make such clocks smaller, so they could be used individually. Historians believe personal mechanical alarm clocks originated in Germany in the 15th century, but their inventors are unknown. Most people didn’t own such clocks, though, and had to rely upon the sun, servants, or prayer-chiming bells. As work hours became more rigid, factory whistles were blown to encourage people living near their places of employ to get up.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/a-2000year-history-of-alarm-clocks