Seth Thomas alarm

[LittleWatchShop]

Today's project.  Two questions:

1) Cleaning with amoniated solution OK?  (I know this is discouraged for French clocks)

2) What is the rational for putting a plate screw UNDER the escape wheel???  I guess I use needle nose to remove???

[oldhippy]

Cleaning with amoniated solution OK, Yes I would have used Horolene clock cleaner. The escape wheel bridge is as you can see riveted to the main plate, do not bend it. When you take the plates apart that is when you can remove the wheel, don't for get when putting it all back to include the escape wheel. Nice to see its all complete including both stop works so many go missing. 

[LittleWatchShop]

This clock appears to have gotten the WD-40 or 3-in-1 oil treatment.  Yuk

[LittleWatchShop]

What is the method for setting the winding stops???

[watchweasol]

Hi LWS   they work like the stackfred, Maltese cross work in pocket watches. the spring is tensioned about two/three winds then the stopwork is fitted . The idea being that the clock uses the center of the spring and not the ends so there is a constant torque on the movement and no top end power or low end loss

[LittleWatchShop]

Cleaned, oiled, in testing phase.

[KarlvonKoln]

That is a beautiful movement.  I had no idea Seth Thomas made any that pretty.

[LittleWatchShop]

19 minutes ago, KarlvonKoln said:

That is a beautiful movement.

And it is in really good shape.  The plates are in good shape and no issues that I can find.  I believe that it is vintage late 1800s.

[oldhippy]

What did you clean it with?

[watchweasol]

Hi LWS    thats an elegant movement almost too good to cover up in a case, a good job

[LittleWatchShop]

4 hours ago, oldhippy said:

What did you clean it with?

L&R clock cleaning solution. 

[oldhippy]

I see did you use the rinse after the cleaner? 

[LittleWatchShop]

54 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

I see did you use the rinse after the cleaner? 

I rinsed it in water, followed by IPA

[oldhippy]

It sure looks good. American clock movement are always rough and ready compared to French.  

[LittleWatchShop]

13 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

It sure looks good. American clock movement are always rough and ready compared to French.  

From my little bit of research, it appears to be from the late 1800s...maybe 1890 or so.  Is this consistent with what you know?

The alarm unit is missing.  I can see where it was mounted in the case, and the bell is still intact.

[oldhippy]

What is the name on the clock plate. Is there a label on the case as depending the type can also pin point it to an exact date. 

[LittleWatchShop]

34 minutes ago, oldhippy said:

What is the name on the clock plate. Is there a label on the case as depending the type can also pin point it to an exact date. 

  Here is a video that gave insight as to the age.

According to the guy doing the video, this clock was made May 1885

[oldhippy]

What you have is a  Seth Thomas 8 Day Lyre Spring Shelf Mantle Clock Movement made around the 1860's