Repairs and Restorations

Clockworksfine.com has over 30 years of experience building and restoring clocks.

The firm specializes in French mantel, wall, and Morbier clocks, with extensive expertise repairing clock movements and restoring ormolu figurines, wood cases, and marble cases.

Clockworksfine.com also has an ample supply of spare parts for clock movements, such as hands, suspension springs, and regular springs; additionally, we can replace lost parts such as pendulum bobs, bells, hammers, etc.

We have substantiated experience restoring English clocks -especially grandfather clocks and wall clocks- and German and Austrian clocks, particularly grandfather and Vienna regulator clocks.

Capping it all off, we master the restoration and repair of various types of American-made clocks, ranging from kitchen to parlor, mantel, and regulator clocks and others.

Repair Estimates

Clockworksfine.com always works by appointment. We provide free in situ estimates. Repair work is normally carried out, if possible, at the client’s home. If the work cannot be done in the premises, we will transport the clock or the movement to our warehouse once the estimate is accepted. Final clock assembly & tuning is always performed at the client’s home.

All repair work is customarily guaranteed for three months. However, this warranty may be extended in specific cases.

Repair Time

Most repair work takes 10 to 15 days. Nevertheless, a job may take a few more days (5) if we need to locate a part from a specialized supplier. Approximate repair time -including parts shipment interim- will be provided along with the estimate.

Repair work done at a client’s home should take no longer than two hours.

Restoration Work

An old clock need not be dirty or poorly maintained. Very old clocks in museums are usually well maintained and work perfectly well.

Old clocks usually pile up a considerable amount of dust in their cases. In some, ingrained dirt may congeal into a paste that adheres to the corners and angles of the case. Wood-cased clocks may frequently show a considerable accumulation of aging varnish applications concealing the beauty of the wood grain. These varnish applications could also darken the edge of the clock’s glass doors.

The oxidation of brass parts, such as dial bezels, pendulum bobs, and weight shells, is also commonplace with the passing of time.

Many of the wooden regulators have lost parts, especially in the case top. Clockworksfine.com recommends replacing missing parts.

This will greatly enhance clock appearance.

French clocks with marble and/or figurines customarily feature screws which are no longer biting or loose endings that need to be restored.

The removal of the clock’s movement is the ideal moment to restore all of these parts or, at the very least, to thoroughly clean those parts affected by the passing of time. Cleaning dirty glasses and removing old varnish layers -habitually manifold- often produces spectacular results. Subsequent careful & thorough waxing and varnishing restores the clock’s original beauty.

On the Cost of Repairs

Is not easy to anticipate the cost of repair work on any clock. However, Clockworksfine.com has established that most mechanical repair work of mantel and/or wall clocks fluctuates between $150 and $200, including the cost of clock collection and subsequent reinstallation.

Repair work for grandfather clocks tends to fall between $250 and $400. This type of clock usually requires a minimum of two visits to correct and readjust the movement of the casing’s wood.