Repairing a Round Top Alarm Clock Made by Seth Thomas
In the world of antique clock collecting, a broken alarm mainspring in a Seth Thomas round top clock can be a challenging repair. However, with patience and the right knowledge, this intricate process can be successfully completed.
One of the clocks in a collection acquired at the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors conference required such a repair. The Seth Thomas round top clock, with its attractive design and timeless appeal, embodies the design aesthetics of the 1870s, a period considered the pinnacle of Seth Thomas's craftsmanship.
The movement, a die-stamped "S. Thomas, Plymouth Conn.", is fitted with Geneva stops (stop-works) to improve timekeeping. These mechanisms, designed to provide intermittent stopping points, often regulate striking or alarm trains. The clock's alarm and movement both strike on an iron bell.
The repair process began by removing the clock movement from the case, ensuring a safe workspace and noting the positions of all components. Next, the mainspring barrel related to the alarm was located and removed. Carefully releasing tension from the damaged mainspring, typically by letting down the spring slowly, followed.
The broken mainspring was then taken out and the barrel was cleaned to remove any rust or debris. A new mainspring, matched precisely in size, length, and strength for the alarm function, was installed.
Reassembling the barrel and movement ensued, making sure the Geneva stops were correctly positioned and functional. The alarm mechanism was tested, including winding and triggering the alarm to confirm the proper engagement of the Geneva stops.
Disassembly and cleaning of the alarm mechanism took less than a minute and 15 minutes in the ultrasonic. The pivots of the alarm mechanism were in very good condition, indicating that the mechanism was not used often. A missing mounting screw was replaced during the repair.
While the process is intricate and the alarm mainspring is under tension, it is often recommended that only experienced hobbyists or professional clockmakers perform this repair to avoid damage or injury and preserve clock value. Specific repair guides for Seth Thomas clocks or similar round top clocks with Geneva stops are scarce in generic online sources, suggesting consulting detailed repair manuals, clock repair forums, or professional services for precise step-by-step instructions.
The collection includes 6 Seth Thomas clocks representing several styles from 1865 to 1930, making it a fine example of the variety and enduring appeal of these classic timepieces. The Seth Thomas Clock Co., among the most respected American clockmakers, continues to be celebrated for its craftsmanship and design aesthetics.
[1] For detailed instructions on repairing a Seth Thomas round top clock, consult repair manuals, clock repair forums, or professional services.
- The collection, encompassing various vintage clocks like the Seth Thomas round top clock, signifies a distinctive lifestyle merged with the timeless charm of technology.
- A connoisseur of antique clock collecting, upon encountering a malfunctioning Seth Thomas clock, realizes the challenges in fixing a broken alarm mainspring, owing to the clock's intricate design and restricted availability of repair guides.
