Modern Hermle clock--can I adjust the time backwards?

LittleWatchShop · June 24, 2022

As a general rule, I do not adjust clocks counter-clockwise. I realize this is overly cautious, but most of the time (e.g. Fall 1-hour adjustments) with pendulum clocks, I just stop it for an hour. In this case, with an escapement, there is no easy way to stop it.

My question: Can I adjust the time by turning the time backwards?

If I were to remove the movement, it would be easy to figure out, but there is no other need to do so. I just made one minor adjustment for the owner and fixed the bezel.

oldhippy · June 24, 2022

The simple answer is no. You should only turn the hands back if it is a time piece, any other wind up clock never, you can jam up the strike, chime or both and the clock will stop and you will most likely bend the minute hand or break the hand off.

What you can do is put a little tissue paper and wedge it by the balance so it stops, or if the escape wheel is visible peg wood inside the escape wheel to stop it. When it is the right time that the hands are showing just remove and it should start if not a little shake and all should be well.

LittleWatchShop · June 24, 2022

39 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

The simple answer is no. You should only turn the hands back if it is a time piece, any other wind up clock never, you can jam up the strike, chime or both and the clock will stop and you will most likely bend the minute hand or break the hand off.

What you can do is put a little tissue paper and wedge it by the balance so it stops, or if the escape wheel is visible peg wood inside the escape wheel to stop it. When it is the right time that the hands are showing just remove and it should start if not a little shake and all should be well.

That is my general rule. However, some clocks are designed to allow this. For example, the Seth Thomas ST124 (and variants) is designed to allow the hands to be turned backwards. This Hermle...I don't know without removing the movement and checking it.