I never knew

[Mattaphysics]

So when I was a kid I remembered, amazingly, my grandparents had this cool clock they I thought was amazing and I would watch it will the time in it's glass case spinning. I've now just learned that it's called a 400 day clock. They moved and I'm unsure if they even still have it but now I want one so bad. 

I've seen them on eBay with the suspension spring broken and that seems to be the only problem. They go for peanuts. So I was wondering, obviously the hard part would be sourcing the part and I'd have to get that “Bible” of 400 day holovars. There could of course be more wrong with it. I've worked on a few watches I'm no expert but those clocks intrigue and fascinate me so that I just have to have one. Just wondering what are major issues with them, besides the suspension spring which is obviously, probably, the most common problem because they're so sensitive. Any thing else I might want to know, all is appreciated, thanks.

[clockboy]

7 hours ago, Mattaphysics said:

So when I was a kid I remembered, amazingly, my grandparents had this cool clock they I thought was amazing and I would watch it will the time in it's glass case spinning. I've now just learned that it's called a 400 day clock. They moved and I'm unsure if they even still have it but now I want one so bad. 

I've seen them on eBay with the suspension spring broken and that seems to be the only problem. They go for peanuts. So I was wondering, obviously the hard part would be sourcing the part and I'd have to get that “Bible” of 400 day holovars. There could of course be more wrong with it. I've worked on a few watches I'm no expert but those clocks intrigue and fascinate me so that I just have to have one. Just wondering what are major issues with them, besides the suspension spring which is obviously, probably, the most common problem because they're so sensitive. Any thing else I might want to know, all is appreciated, thanks.

If you could supply a pic of the movement & its dimensions I can then give you the correct size suspension spring required. 400 day clocks have to be spotlessly clean and if perfect working order for them to run. The strength of the suspension spring is also critical.

[oldhippy]

Anniversary clocks as they are called today is the suspension spring and setting the clock in beat. A tool that you can buy makes it a lot easier see photo. The very old ones had a disk pendulum and a glass dome and were quite tall. To days you will find have plastic domes and come in all shapes and sizes    

[Mattaphysics]

Yes, thanks, I haven't purchased one yet. I definitely want to make sure it is a glass dome. I'd like to get a Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos but that's not happening anytime soon. But thanks, how old are the disk ones? I know the one my grandparents had was the torsion pendulum (not sure if that's the correct term) with the four balls as is common. 

I'm beginning to appreciate clocks more and more than watches. It seems though bigger things, bigger problems. Of course it could go the other way as well since they may be easier to work on but require more tools. I know I definitely want an anniversary clock and I guess when I get one I know where to go with any problems.

[Lenj]

The German Time Bomb..

Hi All,

Can I give a word of warning about…“THE GERMAN TIME BOMB” S HALLER 400 day Anniversary clock, to warn THE NEW MEMBERS of the danger of these clocks.  

I went to an auction and bought one of these clocks complete with glass dome all in very good condition, got it home and wound it up, I started the balls moving, but it kept stopping..Not knowing anything about setting these clocks up, I thought I would have a look inside to see if anything was obviously wrong perhaps the spring was dry.

 I undid the 4 screws on the back plate, and suddenly without any warning BANG the back shot off, the spring flew out in pieces. I was very lucky, all I received was a gash to the palm of my hand, which was half an inch away from my wrist, the plastic wheel complete with some of the long spring, hit me in the chest, and yes it did hurt!!.. “Newbees”  should NOT mess with these clocks..These clocks are dangerous, the springs need to be let down before any attempt at taking the back plate off, there is a way, but not with any letdown tools. Many people have had these clocks sitting on the side or on a shelf and without warning explode and the glass dome goes everywhere the plastic wheel disintegrates and that’s when they go BANG.

Len

 

 

 

[clockboy]

1 hour ago, Lenj said:

The German Time Bomb..

Hi All,

Can I give a word of warning about…“THE GERMAN TIME BOMB” S HALLER 400 day Anniversary clock, to warn THE NEW MEMBERS of the danger of these clocks.  

I went to an auction and bought one of these clocks complete with glass dome all in very good condition, got it home and wound it up, I started the balls moving, but it kept stopping..Not knowing anything about setting these clocks up, I thought I would have a look inside to see if anything was obviously wrong perhaps the spring was dry.

 I undid the 4 screws on the back plate, and suddenly without any warning BANG the back shot off, the spring flew out in pieces. I was very lucky, all I received was a gash to the palm of my hand, which was half an inch away from my wrist, the plastic wheel complete with some of the long spring, hit me in the chest, and yes it did hurt!!.. “Newbees”  should NOT mess with these clocks..These clocks are dangerous, the springs need to be let down before any attempt at taking the back plate off, there is a way, but not with any letdown tools. Many people have had these clocks sitting on the side or on a shelf and without warning explode and the glass dome goes everywhere the plastic wheel disintegrates and that’s when they go BANG.

Len

 

 

 

Len I have never come across this clock but have read about it. However removing plates from any clock without letting down the mainspring/s is asking for trouble. This particular clock requires the wheels to be wedged with peg wood & then the escape is removed then the wheels are let down slowly with the aid of stiff gloves and protection to your eyes.

[Lenj]

4 hours ago, clockboy said:

Len I have never come across this clock but have read about it. However removing plates from any clock without letting down the mainspring/s is asking for trouble. This particular clock requires the wheels to be wedged with peg wood & then the escape is removed then the wheels are let down slowly with the aid of stiff gloves and protection to your eyes.

Yep we all do it now, but when you are a newbee and want to try to get you clock working, you learn a valuable lesson with bad mistakes. There was not any warning on this clock the 4 screws were easily undone....That's when it all happens, the spring in one of them is very large and powerful and newbees should take heed!!.. 

[oldhippy]

In the late 1800's is when they started to become populer but they were poor timekeepers.

[Lenj]

1 hour ago, oldhippy said:

In the late 1800's is when they started to become populer but they were poor timekeepers.

And very temperamental...

[Lenj]

This is what was left of the clock..This is what was left of the clock..

[Mattaphysics]

Whoa, yes thanks for the word of warning. Yes like I said it will be a bit before I do get a clock, I have to get the requisite tools yet. I've looked at a couple Schatz and a Kundo.

Sent from my Z956 using Tapatalk

[clockshop]

Hi Matt, they are a very simple clock to repair, you can buy all the bits you need on ebay, i would change the main spring to as a mater of course, i have the book its well worth having, you need to measure the spring width etc with a micrometer, you can buy 3 for about £10 its worth having the 3, just take your time no kinks etc, only becomes a problem if the suspension spring is missing if it is dont buy it.

 

   regards john

[oldhippy]

400 Day clocks or anniversary clocks as they are now known are not simple to repair. They are very delicate and can be at times be extremely temperamental. If you do not have the Horolovar 400 day clock repair guide (bible) you will find it pretty near imposable to repair one in quick time. Thank God for the book, it explains everything you need to know. From identifying the movement to what suspension spring to use, the length it needs to be, the position of the two blocks at each end, the place that the pallet fork should be and its position. The book saves you a great deal of time.

[clockboy]

1 hour ago, oldhippy said:

400 Day clocks or anniversary clocks as they are now known are not simple to repair. They are very delicate and can be at times be extremely temperamental. If you do not have the Horolovar 400 day clock repair guide (bible) you will find it pretty near imposable to repair one in quick time. Thank God for the book, it explains everything you need to know. From identifying the movement to what suspension spring to use, the length it needs to be, the position of the two blocks at each end, the place that the pallet fork should be and its position. The book saves you a great deal of time.

 

100% agree for repairing/servicing 400 Day clocks the "Horolovar 400 day clock repair guide" is a must have.

[vinn3]

1 hour ago, clockboy said:

100% agree for repairing/servicing 400 Day clocks the "Horolovar 400 day clock repair guide" is a must have.

    i also agree,  but  the plastic domes are good cover on the work bench.  vin

[measuretwice]

3 hours ago, oldhippy said:

400 Day clocks or anniversary clocks as they are now known are not simple to repair. They are very delicate and can be at times be extremely temperamental. If you do not have the Horolovar 400 day clock repair guide (bible) you will find it pretty near imposable to repair one in quick time. Thank God for the book, it explains everything you need to know. From identifying the movement to what suspension spring to use, the length it needs to be, the position of the two blocks at each end, the place that the pallet fork should be and its position. The book saves you a great deal of time.

 

 

No one makes more typos than I....but I think "imposable" ought to be a real word   I like it!

 

I've got the 400 day clock book and what you are saying makes perfect sense.  Figuring out what movement and suspension spring gauge to get was all of a sudden easy. 

 

 

 

Edited March 18, 2018 by measuretwice

[Mattaphysics]

Yes, I plan to get the Bible in due time. And of course they look simple enough but of course are a pain to work on as it sounds.

Should I look to make sure that the leveler is there? I know they need one to make sure the pendulum is hovering above the cup as perfectly as possible or is it alright to use a regular leveler?

Not sure if they have a specific level that is more accurate. Of course it seems like you could just eye it but as temperamental as they are in sure a minute amount off can throw the timing off.

They are of course already not as accurate but my what memories and nostalgia it will bring. Not to mention a fabulous time piece and ingenuity of engineering.

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[oldhippy]

The modern types tend to have adjustable feet that you screw in order to set it level into the centre of the cup, you can just see the feet in the photo. The old type do not, there for a small level can held as a sort guide.  Here is a photo clearly showing the cup, see the pendulum that needs to be in the centre. A tip here is if the suspension spring is bent, you will never be able to get the pendulum to rotate in the centre it will be off centre in its rotation at some point.   

Edited March 18, 2018 by oldhippy