Hi. Acquired this clock today for almost nothing. Other than missing glass, everything is in tact & even has what appears to be original Sessions pendulum bob. The glass I can cut. Everything seems to work correctly & it seems to be complete and unmolested (haven’t taken it apart yet).
I’m trying to up my clock overhaul skills. A few questions for the gurus before I even touch it.
1.Movement seems loud. Here is a video:
The movement ticks loud & when it goes into warning the warning & process of later gonging on the hour is loud (not saying the gong itself, but when the fan runs for warning wheel - see video). Does this mean anything per se, or just how it is?
Obviously it seems to need lubrication. Looks like someone put black grease on the pivots. But anything else I should pay attention to?
anyone else has anything they think I should pay attention specific to this clock I’d love to hear it. One of the winding arbors seems a little bent. When you wind it the key kinda goes around an oblong shape opposed to a circle. But, it’s not too bad and winds ok. Is this something that should be straightened or best just left? It’s not hitting the bushings around the winding arbor.
Clock has a bell for 1/2 hr & gong for the hour. Both are loud & work. The little piece of leather on the gong looks pretty degraded. Did all these American type clocks have this leather? What was it’s function?
Plan is to get tools for hand bushing replacement & pivot polishing and start to get my feet wet with this clock (assuming it needs it) - and possibly ultrasonic cleaner.
I know there is special clock solutions for cleaner, but plan was to try to use something readily available. I’ve seen people use ammonia solution & even dish washing liquid. The later sounds great, does it make a huge difference what solution you use?
Thanks in Advance!



I’m trying to up my clock overhaul skills. A few questions for the gurus before I even touch it.
1.Movement seems loud. Here is a video:
The movement ticks loud & when it goes into warning the warning & process of later gonging on the hour is loud (not saying the gong itself, but when the fan runs for warning wheel - see video). Does this mean anything per se, or just how it is?
Obviously it seems to need lubrication. Looks like someone put black grease on the pivots. But anything else I should pay attention to?
anyone else has anything they think I should pay attention specific to this clock I’d love to hear it. One of the winding arbors seems a little bent. When you wind it the key kinda goes around an oblong shape opposed to a circle. But, it’s not too bad and winds ok. Is this something that should be straightened or best just left? It’s not hitting the bushings around the winding arbor.
Clock has a bell for 1/2 hr & gong for the hour. Both are loud & work. The little piece of leather on the gong looks pretty degraded. Did all these American type clocks have this leather? What was it’s function?
Plan is to get tools for hand bushing replacement & pivot polishing and start to get my feet wet with this clock (assuming it needs it) - and possibly ultrasonic cleaner.
I know there is special clock solutions for cleaner, but plan was to try to use something readily available. I’ve seen people use ammonia solution & even dish washing liquid. The later sounds great, does it make a huge difference what solution you use?
Thanks in Advance!