Help with Schoolhouse Bulova Clock

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 2:12 am     Post subject: Help with Schoolhouse Bulova Clock

Hello,

I have a schoolhouse Bulova from what I believe is from the early 1970's. I need to replace the mechanism and pendulum. I have included a few photos.

Could someone point me where I could find these parts online?

Thanks so much for the help.

-Mark

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 9:57 am     Post subject: Bulova Schoolhouse clock

Check under quartz movements elsewhere on this Klockit site. There are a number of movements available that will fit your case. Most, if not all, of the pendulum movements have breakaway pendulum rods so that the length of the pendulum can be adapted to fit your clock case. The pendulum is only decorative and is not used for time keeping. You also have the option of replacing the existing time only movement with a chiming movement should you desire. As always should you have questions regarding your choice of movement, Klockit staff are always pleased to assist.

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:23 pm     Post subject: Re: Bulova Schoolhouse clock



Thank you for the reply. I did not realize the pendulum was only decorative so that is good.

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 4:36 pm     Post subject:

Actually as I am playing with it now, the clock will not work unless the pendulum is ticking so it appears that the pendulum is functional.

Posted: Mon Jul 23, 2007 8:48 pm     Post subject:

Looking at the movement in your photo, I notice a motor on the right. This I presume is to wind the movement at regular intervals, most likely about three or four minutes. What you have is known as a "motor-rewind", and it is possible that Bulova bought these in from outside the USA, most likely from Japan or Germany. Being mechanical, the pendulum length is critical. It may be a good idea to post close-up photos of it, including any trademarks and numbers, and perhaps submit these also to any clock spares/repair businesses in case they may be able to replace or repair it.

Tommy.

Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 2:31 am     Post subject: Bulova Schoolhouse clock

Just as a point of interest, Bulova manufactured few if any clocks themselves. They built their reputation solely on their watches. Even their aircraft instrument panel clocks were powered by a watch movement. (albeit a good one. Some of them are still running to this day)
However most clocks with the Bulova name on them were manufactured by other firms. I have a few. You'd be surprised at what I found once they were opened up.

As far as repairing a pre quartz era transistor clock is concerned; in the long run you are probably further ahead to just replace the movement with a modern quartz type since offhand I know of no one that will attempt to repair them. In this throw away age, it is highly unlikely that parts are still available, sad to say.

My statement regarding the breakaway pendulums holds true for recent clocks in this series. Eventually the transistor movement was replaced with a quartz type in later models of this clock.