Is my movement shot?

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 8:32 pm     Post subject: Is my movement shot?

Hi, I'm trying to get a 1986 ethan allen grandfather clock working. It has sat for a couple of years and probably not serviced for a while. I have adjusted the clock to run as slow as it can and it is still about 6 minutes fast per day. I called a reputable clock repair company in town and he said that when movements are shot they run fast and said it most likely will need to be replaced. I asked him what he would recomend doing and he said that he can come and oil it and hope it will go back to holding time and if it doesn't it will need a new movement for 70-90 bucks. I searched for a new movement online and it is 419 dollars for a replacement for my Urgos. My question is does this sound right and if so does anyone have recomendations on what they would do? Option 1 is to oil it for just under 100 bucks and see if it will work. Option 2 is to just get a new movement and replace it and hopefully it will hold time for a long time with regular oilings.

Also he said that 25 years is the life expectancy of these movements if they are oiled every other year. Does this sound right? How long do movements usually last?

Thanks, Scott

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 9:53 pm     Post subject:

would probably have the guy come out to look at it, and oil it. Might have better news if he could examine it in person.

Posted: Fri Jan 15, 2010 10:53 pm     Post subject:

Thank you for the advice. I was thinking to have him come out and look at it but didn't know if it would just be a waste of time since he said the movements only last 25 years and this one is close to that. Thought maybe since it's at the end of it's life according to this guy that it might be better off just replacing it.

Thanks, Scott

Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 3:57 am     Post subject:

yes the expectancy is 25-30yrs if maintained.