FHS emblem

Posted: Wed Jul 29, 2009 1:36 pm     Post subject: FHS emblem

Hi, have just been given a mantle clock with this FHS mark on the movement inside. It was at my grandparents house for years and is pretty old, but not in great condition and nothing special to look at. However I like the chime and so feel it is worth trying to maintain. I know nothing about it other than this, it has 15cm and 178,28. It also has 3 winding parts which have me baffled, middle one i presume is for the main clock but unsure. Can anyone help provide as much info as possible? Thanks Mike

Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 2:38 am     Post subject: FHS emblem

I can't provide too much about the winding parts, but if I remember correctly, the FHS means it was made by Franz Hermle & Sons... perhaps going to the Hermle website or contacting the manufacturer direct might help.

Thanks,
Ron Gadson, C.E.O.
ECommerce International, LLC
http://www.supremeclocks.com

Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 12:07 pm     Post subject:

I know about the company FHS, but it's the details of the clock I want to know about really. How it works etc, the 3 winding parts on the front etc if anyone can help vis a vis my original post. PS - it also chimes 3 hours ahead (eg, 6pm chimes 9 times!)
Thanx mike

Posted: Thu Jul 30, 2009 11:46 pm     Post subject:

The center winder is for the timekeeping, the right winder is for the quarter-hour chime, and the left winder is for the hour strike.

Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:11 pm     Post subject:

There should be a factory number on the rear plate of the movement. With the factory number, you can identify the movement model and may be able to find an instruction manual.

In regard to chiming three hours ahead, you can remove the minute and hour hand. Re-mount the hour hand three hours ahead, and then re-mount the minute hand. You can then set the clock to the correct time (remember - do not rotate the minute hand backwards - - always forward). If the movement is in chime mode, make certain to stop rotating the minute hand at every melody. Allow the movement to completely cycle through partial/full melodies (and hourly strikes) before continuing to move the hand. If you have a silent switch, you may move the movement into "silent" mode. Since it will not chime in this mode, you are free to rotate the minute hand to the current time without stopping. Once the current time is set, you may switch on the chimes (only if the movement is in silent mode). Remeber that the chimes may take a couple of hours to self-adjust to the time change - but should do so on their own.

As a side note - - Rather than try to set the clock to the current time - you can also try to stop the clock for three hours. After three hours, allow the clock to resume running.

You should also check into having the movement cleaned or oiled if it has not been done within the last 5 years. Oiling every 1 - 3 years, and cleaning every 3 - 5 years, helps to ensure a long-lasting mechanical movement. It also could not hurt to have an inspection performed by a qualified clock "doc", if one has not been done in years (just in case the above suggestion does not help correct the chime/time synchronization due to worn movement parts, etc).