How do you wind an Edwardian mantel clock?

You need the correct key. Insert it into the dial hole and turn slowly until you feel resistance. Most eight-day clocks have two winding holes. One powers the timekeeping and the other runs the strike. Wind both if you want it to chime.

I have this clock that keeps stopping after about ten minutes of running, even though it seems fully wound up. What causes this?

The most common culprit is dirt in the movement. Over decades, old oil mixes with dust and dries into a sticky paste that slows the gears. It might also be out of beat. If the clock has a pendulum, listen to the tick. It should sound even, like a heartbeat. If it limps, the case needs levelling.

How often should I service it?

A professional service every ten years is standard practice. The movement needs dismantling, cleaning, and fresh oil applied to the pivots. Running a clock dry causes severe wear to the brass plates. It is cheaper to service it regularly than to replace worn gears later.

The glass on the front of mine is slightly domed and it has a small chip on the edge near the hinge. Can a standard glazier replace this sort of thing?

Standard glaziers usually cut flat glass. You need a clock material supplier or a specialist restorer to source a convex glass blank of the correct diameter. The metal bezel may need gently warming to release the old putty holding the original glass in place. It is a delicate job.

Home > Clocks > Edwardian Clocks > Page 8

Victorian Edwardian Clocks

← Page 8 of 8 →

Edwardian clocks are typically compact, elegant timepieces designed to sit on mantelpieces or desks in smaller, lightly furnished rooms. They replaced heavy Victorian styles with simpler lines, inlaid woods, and reliable mass-produced movements.