Clocks and Watches

Clocks

Clocks are of course, just big watches. Or I suppose you could say that watches are just small clocks.

When I first got interested in clocks and watches, I bought a lot of 3 old wind-up alarm clocks -- I think paying about $12 for the 3. They are "Baby Ben" clocks, and of course there are people who collect them and assign names to every model and such.

Vintage Westclox repair forums

Apparently Baby Bens were made by Westclox. My idea (like others) was to start out learning clock repair by working on these, but the problem is that they were meant to be throw-away items and are not at all friendly to repair. The warning is that a person getting interested in clock repair (like myself), could very well get frustrated and give up on the whole enterprise by screwing with one of these. A general tip is to not try to disassemble one, but to slosh the movement in solvent (naptha, or just gasoline if you are brave/foolish), dry it out good, then lubricate appropriately and there is a good chance it will be working again.

After the cleaning, the following is recommended:

Use engine treatment (what is this?) on the mainspring.
Use grease on the ratchet wheels and cams.
Use motor oil on the pivots.
Use clock oil on the balance pivots.
Smooth and polish the repeat lever and trip spring edge at the point where they meet.
Perhaps also smooth the trip staff cam
Perhaps also burnish the slot of the pallet fork.

Here is an amazing detailed and meticulous restoration of a 1927 Baby Ben:

Baby Ben restoration

Have any comments? Questions? Drop me a line!

Tom's notes / tom@mmto.org