How do I wind a French striking clock?

Most antique French clocks have two winding squares on the dial. The right side typically powers the timekeeping train, while the left side powers the striking mechanism. Turn the key firmly until you feel a definite resistance. Never force the key once it stops. If the clock runs but does not chime, you can choose to wind only the right-hand square.

I inherited a black marble clock from my grandfather and it runs fast no matter what I do, can I adjust it myself or do I need a clockmaker?

You can usually adjust the rate yourself. If your clock has a pendulum on a suspension spring, look for a small square arbor near the twelve o'clock position on the dial. Turning this slightly with a double-ended key raises or lowers the pendulum bob to change the speed. Turn the arbor to the left to lower the pendulum and slow the clock down. If the clock has a fixed pendulum rod without a dial adjustment, look for a small rating nut directly under the bob at the back.

Why does my clock strike the wrong hour?

The strike train has likely fallen out of sync with the hands. This happens frequently if the clock winds down. Move the minute hand to the next hour and count the strikes. Slip the hour hand independently on its friction fit pipe to match the chimes.

My friend told me that I should never turn the minute hand backwards on these old clocks because it will ruin the internal gears, is that true?

Moving the hands backward is risky on countwheel strike mechanisms. Pushing past the hour or half-hour catches the lifting pins against the levers, which can bend or break the brass components inside. Some later rack-and-snail striking mechanisms tolerate backward movement. If you do not know which system your movement uses, always move the hands forward, pausing to let each sequence finish.

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Victorian French Clocks

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Antique French clocks combine decorative, often sculptural casing in gilt bronze, marble, or spelter with reliable spring-driven pendulum movements designed to keep domestic time and strike the hours on a bell or gong.