Clocks

[joe.s-b]

Timing acuracy

[Gizmonster]

What's the question then ??
If you're asking "what's the accuracy of a clock?" .... the answer will depend on what clock you're referring to :)

[joe.s-b]

Sorry; forgot to ask the question. What accuracy can I expect rom a 100 year old clock. Not grandfather or similar but wall mounted with a pendulum. How minutes a week fast or slow for exam[-le.

[bhg481]

Once again, it depends on the clock. Is the pendulum temperature corrected or just a straight rod?

[Dodger666]

You can test it's accuracy by comparing it to a known accurate clock such as this one. http://onlineclock.net/

Compare it over a few days or whatever you choose.

[Peter Pedant]

666 has not really answered the question


it depends on the quality of your 100 y old clock

Harrisons longitude clocks were very accurate - but by Golly you paid
mass produced swiss cuckoo clocks from 1890 lost a few minutes a day

[Peter Pedant]

harrisons clock was a few seconds a month

my gradfather clock is about a minute a week (1848)

[joe.s-b]

Thank you so far. I should have asked about time keeping of course.

[TWR]

Stuey is the man for this.

[joe.s-b]

Thank you TWR but who is Stuey please?

[murraymints]

he is in Canada...our resident horologist...builds and restores all manner of time pieces

[stuey]

There are so many variables,joe.s-b. First of all the fact that it is still running is good news. The pendulum regulates the clock, it doesn't actually "drive" it. Is it a weight driven clock, or do you wind up a mainspring with a key; is it a time only clock, or a time and strike (does the hours and 1/2 hours, or a time, strike and chime clock (does the 1/4 hours). The important question is when was it last serviced by a qualified clock-maker (not someone who sprays everything with WD-40!). I really cannot answer your question as to how many minutes a day your particular clock should lose in a day. On the "average", a well maintained spring driven clock should be should not lose (or gain) more than say 3-4 minutes a day. If the clock has any monetary and/or sentimental value to you, I'd suggest finding a reliable repair person in your area. The British Horological Institute website lists qualified people in the UK. Sorry to be so vague.

[stuey]

By the way, thanks, murraymints and TWR, for the link to this question.

[stuey]

After reading my answer again "say 3-4 minutes a day." should be a week.

[TWR]

Send me your address Stuey, I need to send you some $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ for best answer lol lol

[TWR]

Just a point Stuey, do you have problem's finding "Bits" for your clocks out there? do you use ebay for searches?

[joe.s-b]

Thank Stuey. 3 or 4 minutes a week makes sense to me. I suspect the owners expect better and I cannot see why for such an old clock; incidentally I am not trying to repair it just advise which is sometimes not easy. I think that I will now give up. Thanks for all comments.

[stuey]

TWR, there is one major supplier of clock parts in the Toronto area, and many more in the States. http://www.perrinwatchparts.com/ You'd be surprised how many people are interested in this hobby. Joe.s.b, It would be interesting to see photos of this clock and it's movement.

[Obiter]

My late father, for whatever reason, had every clock and watch set at ten minutes fast. Often the question was, "What's the time by the clock?", so you had mentally to subtract ten minutes to get the real time. I think this may have been a relic from the reign of Edward VII. Queen Alexandra was a notorious bad timekeeper so all clocks at Sandringham were set thirty minutes ahead. This became known as 'Sandringham time' and lasted till the reign of George VI'

[stuey]

There's an old saying which is very accurate, [unlike some clocks:)]: A man who owns a clock always knows the time; however, a man who owns two is never quite sure.