Frequently Asked Questions
Q: "Why should I choose Cadmore Clocks to service and repair my clock?"
A: At Cadmore Clocks, all work is carried out 'in house' without out-sourcing to others. Costs are therefore kept down, with no mark-up on the prices charged to you. Our comprehensively equipped workshop can facilitate most types of repair procedure likely to be encountered.
Q: "How do I get my clock to your workshop?"
A: Please note that we do not operate from high street premises, so we do not accept callers to the clock workshop (for security and insurance reasons). All clocks that are entered for servicing and repair will be collected and returned by us, including larger items such as the casework of long case clocks. We have the correct packaging to ensure the safe transit of your clocks. A transportation charge to cover mileages and time away from the workbench may sometimes be applicable to longer road distances.
Q: "Why shouldn't I, or a friend who knows about clocks oil it to get it going?"
A: A little knowledge really can be a dangerous thing! Although a well intentioned and well-aimed squirt of WD40 or 3-in-1 might just get your clock ticking again (in the short term), consider that there are some components within a mechanical clock that should never see oil. Certain parts need friction to transmit the driving power. This friction would be lost if oiled. Oiling other parts would actually accellerate wear, potentially leading to increased repair costs.
Q: "My clock has been running OK for years, why does it now lose time and keep stopping?"
A: Although a clock is usually expected to run for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round for a period of years, it should not be expected to run almost indefinitely. A mechanical clock is a machine with moving metal parts which need regular maintenance and lubrication if they are to work properly.
Having your clock serviced and inspected at 5 yearly intervals will maintain reliability, delay wear to the components and help to preserve its value.
Q: "What does the service procedure involve? ("What do I get for my money?")
A: Upon collection, a preliminary inspection of the clock can sometimes reveal the more obviously worn or damaged components in need of repair. Once on the workshop bench, a more detailed examination is carried out before disassembling the mechanism. Notes and photographs are taken throughout. Most components will then be cleaned in ultrasonic tanks to thoroughly remove dirt and oil residues. After this initial cleaning process, repairs are undertaken as necessary. After repairs, final cleaning / polishing is done before reassembly and lubrication. Lastly, the clock will undergo a period of testing to ensure correct functioning and regulating before being returned.
Q: "How much will the service cost?"
A: Service charges vary according to the type and complexity of the clock mechanism. The charges also reflect the amount of workshop time needed to complete the servicing work. As an example of this, a humble, mass-produced, quarterly chiming "Westminster" mantel clock of little intrinsic value, could cost more to service than a more desirable antique English wall clock because of their mechanical differences. A service only price shall be quoted for your clock before it is taken away. Any repair operations, or replacement parts which were not already included in that service only price, may incur additional charges. Any additional work, which would add more than 15% to the prices discussed, would not be undertaken without first gaining approval and consent from the client.
Q: "Do you do part jobs?" ("Could you just fix the hands / pendulum / glass / winder / lock / door hinge on my clock?")
A: The answer to this one could fill a whole page, but here goes...........
Being thorough and methodical can have its drawbacks. 'Part jobs' have been embarked upon in the past. Many times, in fact. These experiences have shown that by agreeing to undertake that 'small' repair, there will always be revealed at least one other component which is in need of remedial treatment to ensure that the clock will continue to function reliably once it is returned to the owner. Thus, a two hour job can so easily become a three, or possibly four hour job, which is not usually reflected in the final bill.
From a business point of view, when factoring in the time taken (away from the workbench) to collect and return a clock, minor repairs are rarely financially realistic for us to undertake. Thank you for your understanding.
A mechanical clock which has not received any form of maintenance within the past 5 or 6 years, really is overdue for a service overhaul. Any other so-called 'small' repairs could be discussed, then attended to as part of a scheduled full service overhaul.
Finally, therefore, the answer to the question "do you do part jobs?" has to be........
No, we do not.........Sorry.
Q: "Are there any types of clock that you don't, or even won't repair?"
A: This is a difficult question, because the answer will be a cause of disappointment to some owners. We do work to repair most types of mechanical clock mechanisms, and on these, our 12 month guarantee cover will gladly be applied.
Due to quality and design issues, there are certain types of clocks which can be less than reliable in day to day usage. Some of these types were inexpensive, mass-produced utility items with poor quality components. They had a functional lifespan of perhaps ten years or so, and were cheap enough to be discarded when worn out. Others were of better quality, but have built-in reliability issues due to their design. In these, there is the potential for even the slightest disturbance causing impaired function. For these (and other) reasons, we choose to no longer accept them into the workshop for servicing and repair. They include........
30 hour (wind every day) mass-produced timepieces and timepiece alarms with pin-pallet lever escapements.
Certain types of modern, mass-produced clock mechanisms manufactured in the far East.
Cuckoo clocks - both ancient and modern.
Small, French clocks with 'drum' (tic-tac) escapements.
400 day 'Anniversary' clocks. (These clocks are usually housed under a glass or plastic dome, and have multi-ball pendulums which twist and rotate back and forth).
Today, these clocks are of little intrinsic value, and are usually submitted for repair for reasons of sentimentality. That said, applying professional and correct repair procedures will not see them magically elevated to a higher grade of quality, nor will it somehow endow them with ultra-reliability. We do speak from (sometimes bitter) experience.
Q: "How long before my clock is returned to me?"
A: Although the return time for clock servicing, repair and restoration will always depend on current workload and orders, most routine work is completed within a period of 10 - 12 weeks following collection. However, some clocks will require more time on the workbench than first anticipated, with the inevitable knock-on effect on the order book. This is especially true with clocks that have been damaged, or those which haven't been in use for a long time. Please do keep this in mind if your clock has been absent from its home for a little longer than expected. As mentioned before, your patience and understanding would be greatly appreciated. Please consider that repeated phone calls for progress updates generally do not help to speed the work up.
Q: "is the work covered by any form of guarantee?"
A: A 12 month guarantee on the functioning of the clock will apply following the date of our invoice (subject to certain terms and conditions).
Q: "Am I using / winding / setting my clock correctly?"
A: Even if you have owned and enjoyed your clock for years, an easy to understand advice sheet will be supplied upon return. This sheet will be individually tailored to your clock, and will outline facts and procedures which may be interesting and helpful.
Q: "Do you repair wrist watches or pocket watches?"
A: No.
Q: "Do you repair quartz / battery / electric powered clocks?"
A: No, we only work on mechanical / wind up clocks.
Q: "Is VAT added to the bill?"
A: No, we do not charge VAT.
