Shop Status September 3, 2008: Due to our present 8 month backlog, we will continue to hold off accepting new restoration projects. Our best estimate is that we will be accepting new projects in queue February 2009. We will update this status monthly and apologize for the temporary inconvenience.

Batteries, Synchronizers and Clock Winders are, of course, still available here.

From the late 1800's until well into the mid 1900's, self-winding clocks earned a most important role in horological history. They provided robust and reliable time synchronization across the country. They serviced railroads and other transportation industries, factories, schools, retail stores, and other businesses. Many of them were decommissioned by 1960 and are slowly finding their way into the caring hands of horological collectors.

Collectors find great pride of ownership with self winding clocks. Many of them, in particular those manufactured by Self Winding Clock Company of New York, Standard Electric Time Company, and Stromberg to name a few, were built to last. Cases are often built of high quality select grades of lumber with intricate carvings, appointed with heavy duty hardware throughout, beveled glass. Movements are well built, with thick plates and rugged construction. Unfortunately after nearly 100 years the clock movements require some attention to assure continued reliable operation.

Ken's Clock Clinic offers professional restoration of self-winding clocks. Our clients expect authentic restorations. We provide Style F movement restoration covering all electrical, mechanical components. The movement will be disassembled and individual components cleaned to remove all grease and oxides. Worn pivots and holes will be restored. Bushings are neat and undetectable. Worn pinions are likewise addressed. Style A movement restorations include precision replication of missing or damaged motor brushes. Restoration processes for other self winding clocks are similar to those mentioned. We keep a library of original manufacturers' specifications and data for many of the clocks serviced.

Authentic restoration includes electrical components. Either due to wear, abuse, or incorrect voltages, contacts and resistors may be damaged. Original spool-wound resistors will be restored exactly like the originals. All contacts are cleaned and inspected. When necessary, these will be replaced. We provide contact replacement using only pure platinum, palladium, gold or silver wire and foil as was used previously. If necessary, electromagnets can be rewound.

We will provide our clients with a Certificate of Restoration which details all work done.

We warranty our movement restorations for 2 years if the clock is subsequently powered with our Vintage Dry Cell Battery Replacements, either alkaline or rechargeable. Using these products we can be assured that the proper voltage is being used to power your restored clock.

Our experience includes clocks manufactured by the Self Winding Clock Company, Standard Electric Time, New York Standard Watch Company, American Clock Company, Stromberg, Poole, Sempire, numerous ATO styles, and many others.

Power for many self-winding clocks originated with Georges Leclanche's 1866 invention of the carbon-manganese-dioxide and zinc battery. They generally used a pair of these 1.5 volt cells to provide the necessary 3 volts for the clocks. By the early 1900s, a pair of 1.5 volt No. 6 Dry Cells became the premier power source for these clocks.

Click here for a reference table of Self Winding clock voltage requirements.

We have repaired many clocks which were unfortunately run with 6 volt lantern batteries or other power sources not appropriate for these 3 volt clocks. This can cause cumulative damage to both the electrical and mechanical components. For this reason, Ken's Clock Clinic provides the 1900 series Vintage Dry Cell Battery Replacements to assure that the historic value of these clocks will be conserved for generations to come.

For more information on our restoration services, please contact us.