French mantle clock by Vincenti Cie

[Conduit]

Hello gentlemen,

I would like to get fixed my antique  French mantle clock manufactured by Vincenti Cie but the local clock service quoted me £300 for replacement of pendulum & French suspension spring.

I found a website which offers clock parts for French movements for reasonable prices and would like to purchase the correct pendulum and a suspension spring to reduce the cost of repairs.

https://www.cousinsuk.com/category/pendulum-clock-suspension-springs

https://www.cousinsuk.com/product/french-clock-pendulums?code=P1132

Would someone be kind to point out which of the parts will suit this movement? Frankly speaking, I am in doubt that a suspension spring is actually required, it seems to me that only pendulum is missing but I am not a specialist. Any advice is highly appreciated. 

 

 

 

[wls1971]

The clock certainly does require a suspension spring the one in your picture is clearly twisted and broken, you also need a pendulum of the correct length, french clock movements usually have a serial number and a number that indicates the correct pendulum length the number is in old french units called pouce and lignes these can be converted into millimeters to give you the length you need.

If the price of £300.00 includes servicing the clock that to me would seem very reasonable, it is a time consuming and surprisingly messy job cleaning a clock.

[oldhippy]

I will add my comments tomorrow. Its my time for bed.

[oldhippy]

Wis1971 is correct. The only thing is with your clock it does not appear all the numbers are there. To properly clean oil and replace parts with these movements is very time consuming. Every brass part should be polished; every screw should be polished and blued. You do not just wash the movement out in an ultrasonic tank. If the place you took it to do that sort of thing then take it to a proper clockmaker.  £300 is too much; around £200 including parts would be I think a fair price.

 Here is a photo of the fitting of your clock for a new suspension spring, I think this one should be right for your clock, you might need to file the top block a little in order for it to fit, both blocks must close tight when screwed back together. Also I have picked out a pendulum that should be right for your clock, again you will I expect need to alter it a little.   

Ø35mm (No.1) Pendulum & Hook*

Suspension spring  S5558

Edited February 13, 2018 by oldhippy

[clockboy]

If there is a number on the plate then you can use the following link to calculate for the pendulum.

http://www.m-p.co.uk/formulae/frpend.htm

The pendulums are available at Cousins ,Walsh or I have used this company a few times:

http://www.johnwardle.co.uk/french-clock-spares-13-c.asp

[oldhippy]

Nice links clockboy I've booked them.

[Lenj]

Wow that is a beautiful clock c18 60/70?? Well worth restoring..looks like you need an 8.4 pendulum (90g??). I did have a table somewhere, if I find it I will add..There is someone on Ebay that cleans clocks for about £95 full strip and clean..I don't know him or his work so can't vouch for him..Also pendulums come up now and then along with suspensions...I would love to clean that one, especially with the outside count wheel nice easy one...alas but my eyes are not all that good a present..

Nice keep good luck with that one..

 

[Lenj]

So Sorry Clockboy did not see your calculator there.. works out at 226mm..

Len

 

[Conduit]

Thank you very much, gentlemen, for your  input and assistance. The figures above the maker mark state 6-4 which I converted into 171.44 mm of the required pendulum length. I will buy the pendulum and  a suspension spring as advised and carry on searching for the local clock maker to service the movement.

[Lenj]

1 hour ago, Conduit said:

Thank you very much, gentlemen, for your  input and assistance. The figures above the maker mark state 6-4 which I converted into 171.44 mm of the required pendulum length. I will buy the pendulum and  a suspension spring as advised and carry on searching for the local clock maker to service the movement.

Sorry.... did not see the figures above the makers mark..I did say I had bad eyes...lol... and usually the pendulum marks are at the bottom of these movements.. by the metal securing plate pins..

Len