How do I wind a fusee clock?

Use the appropriate key on the winding square located on the dial face, turning gently until resistance indicates full tension. Avoid over-winding to protect the historical mainspring and fusee chain. Ensure the key matches the square precisely to prevent slipping and scoring the surrounding brass plate or dial enamel.

Where should I place a bracket clock?

Position the piece on a stable, level surface away from direct sunlight, central heating vents and damp walls. A sturdy mantelpiece or dedicated wall bracket provides the ideal environment for steady operation. Level the case carefully so the pendulum or balance wheel maintains an even beat and the movement runs without stopping.

How can I tell a Georgian clock from a later revival?

Examine the construction methods inside the case, looking at the timber shrinkage, hand-cut screws and the patination of the brass movement plates. Period pieces show signs of authentic age and wear consistent with daily use over centuries. Revival pieces often display machine-made components and standardised fixings that differ from eighteenth-century workshop practices.

Why does my clock need professional servicing?

Old lubricants thicken and gather dust over decades, causing friction that wears down delicate brass teeth and steel pivots. Regular cleaning by a specialist horologist preserves the original components. Intervening before metal grinds against metal prevents permanent damage to irreplaceable signed movements.