Stile Fomm Grandfather Clock

Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 6:43 am     Post subject: Stile Fomm Grandfather Clock

Hi, I also have a grandfather clock with the same name on the clock face. My mother purchased the clock some 20 years ago in an antique store for around $2,100.

I am trying to find out whether the clock is worth fixing as the mechanism is stopping every so often and a quote I got was for $800 to come out and service it.

Can anyone assist in identifying the clock and how much it may be worth.

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

pictures would help. The clock may just need to be leveled if it is stopping. $800 seems a lot for a house call, not sure what they mean by service it.

Granted the clock might need a complete cleaning, but it should not be that much, unless they are replacing the entire movement which is common with Hermle clock movements, as they only last 20 years or so.

Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 1:22 pm     Post subject:

Yes - 1.) Make certain your case is level - and 2.) Make certain the pendulum is in "beat". Most Hermle movements have an automatic beat adjustment feature. You can over-swing the pendulum and the beat will correct itself. You may have to remove side glass panels in order to do this (depending on the pendulum/bob size). Otherwise, there is a manual beat adjustment method that should be detailed in the movement instructions. Those are two main factors to look into for a movement that stops, and it might save you an expensive house call.

Speaking of house calls - $800 is too much for a repair visit - considering that a brand new, deluxe, cable driven movement (see Klockit's #13075) retails just under $800. It would be a good idea to find out just what the $800 service call entails (specifically), and run it by the forum patrons. It would also be a good idea to seek other quotes from qualified repair people. At the very least, you should consider a good oiling for the movement (which should be done once every one to three years).