Time ticks away for antique clocks as specialist repairers dwindle

[Jim Martin]

On 31/01/2022 at 16:33, Steamport Southport said:

 

Seemingly now a beautician/hair salon.

 

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@53.401922,-2.9830008,3a,75y,274.18h,88.72t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sW4db3ejYKvrEh9tAfbNKCg!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

 

Definitely listed.

 

https://britishlistedbuildings.co.uk/101429431-50-duke-street-including-2-and-4-york-street-and-27-henry-street-riverside-ward#.YfgOEZrP3IU

 

I'm sure that used to be a pub or club at one point though. 

 

 

 

Jason

 

Interestingly, though, York Street (which is not a very long street at all) is home to a watch repairer: 

 

It also used to be home to the St. Petersburg, which was a totally crazed but very enjoyable Russian "dining club".

 

Jim

Edited February 3, 2022 by Jim Martin

[Jonboy]

On 01/02/2022 at 20:19, Chris116 said:

I would be happy to take it somewhere that I can get to by train. I would never trust it to a courier service or Royal Mail as I don't think it would survive. Where is The Clock Workshop?

There is also The Clockworks in Didcot which is across the road road from Didcot Parkway station. They are appointment by phone only on 01235 211732. 
 

They did a really good job on a Chiming key wound wall clock for my my parents a few years ago.

[Florence Locomotive Works]

On 03/02/2022 at 13:55, BR traction instructor said:

…a distinct watershed moment Douglas…those wanting the economy and ready disposal of mass produced items versus those wishing to maintain our heritage.

 

BeRTIe

Possibly yes, but there is a growing shift in society away from such things. The metal straw movement of a few years ago is a good example. I know from talking with a lot of my piers at school (i get asked a lot of questions about my work) that they don't really like the the throw away society in which we currently attempt to thrive, and many of them have a yearning for quality products in any form. This is also why things like vinyl are coming back, along with manual cars.

[J. S. Bach]

52 minutes ago, Florence Locomotive Works said:

Possibly yes, but there is a growing shift in society away from such things. The metal straw movement of a few years ago is a good example. I know from talking with a lot of my piers peers at school (i get asked a lot of questions about my work) that they don't really like the the throw away society in which we currently attempt to thrive, and many of them have a yearning for quality products in any form. This is also why things like vinyl are coming back, along with manual cars.

That all sounds well and good. Until they find out the cost of repairs.

[rocor]

9 hours ago, J. S. Bach said:

That all sounds well and good. Until they find out the cost of repairs.

Learning how to repair your own possessions would seem to be all part of the same general philosophy in the move away from a disposable society.  

[J. S. Bach]

36 minutes ago, rocor said:

Learning how to repair your own possessions would seem to be all part of the same general philosophy in the move away from a disposable society.  

And just where would one get the parts to do so?

[Florence Locomotive Works]

10 hours ago, J. S. Bach said:

That all sounds well and good. Until they find out the cost of repairs.

Very very true. It’s extremely expensive to repair these things. 

51 minutes ago, rocor said:

Learning how to repair your own possessions would seem to be all part of the same general philosophy in the move away from a disposable society.  

Agreed, but I think with devices as complex as these taking it to a specialist would be better.

[rocor]

41 minutes ago, J. S. Bach said:

And just where would one get the parts to do so?

 

Somewhat of a dichotomy had begun to develop within this thread, between getting a valuable antique timepiece repaired, and a criticism of the throw-away society. 

 

As for the antique clock, it certainly would be better served with the provision of expert (expensive?) care and attention.

 

Many other items, if they were not explicitly designed not to be so, could be safely repaired by their owners after a little research into the methods for doing so.

 

 

[Adam88]

I saw this the other day on Project Gutenberg which I though might be of interest to Douglas and perhaps one or two others here.

 

American Horological Journal, Vol. I, No. 1, July 1869: Devoted to Practical Horology

Edited April 23, 2022 by Adam88
corrected hyperlink

[45156]

I have a 100+ year old English Dial Clock, which died one night, with the fusee chain apparently having come off the drum - no such luck - it was a major problem, and my clock repairer said it was irrepairable.  I managed to find a repairer locally, Barry Fitzgibbons, who is a very very skilled clock repairer, but as has been stated here, he is not getting any younger, and had no apprentice.

[Florence Locomotive Works]

On 02/05/2022 at 10:53, 45156 said:

I have a 100+ year old English Dial Clock, which died one night, with the fusee chain apparently having come off the drum - no such luck - it was a major problem, and my clock repairer said it was irrepairable.  I managed to find a repairer locally, Barry Fitzgibbons, who is a very very skilled clock repairer, but as has been stated here, he is not getting any younger, and had no apprentice.

Oh dear, fusee accidents like that are the stuff of horological nightmares, especially if it’s a large movement. If the chain breaks at around full wind it can often times irrevocably damage the rest of the internals, along with itself. Replacement chains are also very hard to get now. They used to be made by starving children in orphanages (smaller fingers) but now I think the only company producing a fusee movement is Zenith and that’s for a wristwatch. 
 

Was Barry able to repair it? I think I’ve heard of him.

[Legend]

Mr Snooze is a YouTuber featuring vintage model railways but is a clock repairer . I believe he is located in the Midlands , just in case that’s of interest . Contact him through YouTube 

[45156]

22 hours ago, Florence Locomotive Works said:

Oh dear, fusee accidents like that are the stuff of horological nightmares, especially if it’s a large movement. If the chain breaks at around full wind it can often times irrevocably damage the rest of the internals, along with itself. Replacement chains are also very hard to get now. They used to be made by starving children in orphanages (smaller fingers) but now I think the only company producing a fusee movement is Zenith and that’s for a wristwatch. 
 

Was Barry able to repair it? I think I’ve heard of him.

Yes, @Florence Locomotive Workshe repaired it at a cost of £320, and it is ticking and tocking on my wall, and keeping good time.  It did need a lot of work including some recutting of wheels, and rebushing.  He is based in Garstang, in Lancashire.

[ikks]

On 03/05/2022 at 01:23, 45156 said:

I have a 100+ year old English Dial Clock, which died one night, with the fusee chain apparently having come off the drum - no such luck - it was a major problem, and my clock repairer said it was irrepairable.  I managed to find a repairer locally, Barry Fitzgibbons, who is a very very skilled clock repairer, but as has been stated here, he is not getting any younger, and had no apprentice.

I was given a solid silver fob watch in 1984 from my late parents, it belonged to my great uncle Jack who I vaguely remember, it would have been about 1949 when he passed. Anyway I always loved the thing and one day took it down to our local jeweller in Victor Harbor, to see if it could be made to work, it had to be sent away to a specialist as there were hardly any such people left in South Oz. About three weeks later I got a text to say come and get it, it had been serviced and a new key made, Jack was close to 70 so that watch would now be well over 100 years old..........it has never missed a beat since. I wear it with pride and the attention it receives is unbelievable. Cost of the fix......approx 35 quid( 70 $ aus)

Mike

Edited May 9, 2022 by ikks