Antique clocks and vintage items by their very nature are used items and will show signs of normal wear due to age and use. As we define 'good condition' relative to the stated age of the piece, we would expect to see 'character marks' consistent with that age and could include nicks or dings to a wooden or metal object, wear to a painted surface, speckling on a mirror, crazing or manufacturer glaze skips in ceramic finish, wear to a label, and some original decorative trim may be missing. You should expect that an antique mantel clock may need to be adjusted and serviced due to the shipping.
Antique mantel clocks are not anything like modern day ones. Not only is there aging, as described above, but there is the set up once the clock is recieved due to the need to carefully pack and ship your antique, in order to protect your beautiful "investment in time". Some larger and heavier clocks may need to be partially broken down, due to size and weight. Putting the few parts together is usually no more than a couple of screws. On all ocassions, the pendulum will be removed from your antique mantel clock and packed separately from the antique clock in order to prevent any damage to the clock from its movement while shipping. It is a simple matter to unscrew the bell with its single nut and carefully hang the pendulum back in place and into the "crutch" (the hanging wire that looks like it has a tuning fork at its end). Once done, you will need to set the clock "in beat", making sure that your antique mantel clock is placed on a flat and even surface. You will find that a small and inexpensive pocket level will help determine that.
Your antique mantel clock is ready to be enjoyed, is running and a good time keeper. All of our antique mantel clocks have the easiest
guarantee. We guarantee your complete right of return of them within 3 days of receipt. You just pay the shipping of the antique mantle clock back to us in the same condition in which it was received and 100% of your purchase price, less our shipping and yours, shall be refunded. You must also insure the antique mantle clock for the price you paid. However, you will most likely find that a simple call to us will help you solve any problems during set up in order for you to feel secure about your purchase. All clocks are priced as "plus shipping"
First and formost is how to set the time, while always remembering NEVER to move the minute hand counter clockwise (see our " care of antique mantel clocks".) The time adjustment can go out during shipping, so you may or may not need to adjust that. With the smaller antique mantel clocks, many have time adjust levers and the later 1800's clocks may have key adjustment arbors. The earlier clocks have a pendulum adjust that will allow you to raise or lower the pendulum in order to adjust the fast/slow speed of your antique mantel clock. By moving the pendulum "bob" down, you slow the rate of speed and moving it up, you increase it. Moving the minute hand "clockwise" to the right, you can set the minute time. You can move the hour hand in any direction (providing it moves with ease). In order to set the chime or bell for the hour or half hour, you will first need to slowly advance the minute hand until you reach the "six" and it should ring once for the half hour if that is what the clock is supposed to do. When you rotate the minute hand to the "twelve" you will hear successive gongs/chimes/rings announcing the hour. After shipping, this will be out of adjustment and you will need to slowly advance the hour and minute hand in order to set this.
Yes, approximately every five years, depending on the last time it was serviced at the point you receive it, your antique mantel clock mechanism should be cleaned and oiled with the appropriate oil. Some will recommended high grade German synthetic oils made for this purpose (Etsyntha 859) but many still like non synthetic like Moebius 8030. With all of the above in mind you should be able to enjoy your antique mantel clock investment for years to come. Enjoy.
