BANNER NO LEGS DOWN 2
HomeFrenchFrench 2AmericanCarriageArt DecoBlogContact
Home
French Clock
French Mantel Clock
American Clock
Carriage Clock
Art Deco Clock
Antique Clock Blog
Antique Clock Care
Contact

Terms Of Sale

Buying Expectations

Antique clocks and vintage items by their very nature are old and 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 clock may need to be adjusted and serviced due to the shipping.

When Yours Arrives

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 it is recieved due to the need to carefully pack and ship it, 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 and packed separately from the clock in order to prevent any damage 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) or the loop of string if a “silk suspension”. Once done, you will need to set the clock “in beat”, making sure that yours is placed on a flat and even surface.

Our Guarantee = Your Safety Net

Your clock is ready to be enjoyed, is running and a good time keeper. All of ours have the easiest guarantee. We guarantee your complete right of return of them within 7 calendar days of receipt. You just pay the shipping of the 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 it 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. If shipping it or mechanism back to us, they must be packaged in the same way as received to insure that there is no further damage. All are priced as “plus shipping”.

Maintenance Terms

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 , 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. 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 it 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.

Any Long Term Maintenance?

Yes, approximately every five to ten years, depending on the last time it was serviced at the point you receive it, your 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 investment for years to come. Enjoy.

Sounds Do Not Match The Time

1. Bring the minute hand (longest hand) to the hour and count the number of strikes.
2. Move the hour hand (shortest hand) to the number struck ( forward or backward). (If it reads 12:00 and strikes 8:00, move the hour hand (shortest) forward to 8:00. (See also above)
3. Set the correct time

Cleaning

A weekly regular feather dusting will help reduce dust build up, but twice per year use a vacuum cleaner nozzle with a soft brush attachment to fully remove all dust from crevices and cracks. Please avoid moving your clock around when dusting the surrounding area. Dial glass can be cleaned by applying a very small amount of Windex directly to a clean cloth and the glass carefully rubbed and then wiped dry with a clean paper towel or soft cloth.

Here is a good link for information: http://www.nawccch75.com/clockinfo.html