While more intricate or complex clock repairs and restorations jobs should be left in the capable hands of a professional clockmaker, there are a few smaller maintenance tasks you can perform at home to keep your mechanical clock in stellar shape and minimize the need for premature or unnecessary repairs at the same time.
1. Wind Your Clock Regularly
Our clocks, which often come with personalized engraved logos, will run for more than one week on a single wind. Even so, we still recommend winding your clock once a week, while trying to keep to the same day every week (for example, every Monday morning) to ensure consistent timekeeping and to prevent the strike train from jamming.
2. Keep the Case Free of Dust and Fingerprints
Wipe the case often with a soft cloth to keep it free from dust and fingerprints, which, if left in place over time, can harm the finish. Refrain from using any polishes or cleaners on the hand-finished, lacquered case or dial as this will compromise the protective coatings. Most polishing pastes tend to leave a residue that has a corrosive effect on the metal of the case, and the dial, and can occasionally work its way into the movement, damaging it. If a polish is required for the outer casing, we recommend spraying a small amount of pledge onto a cloth first, but never directly onto the case itself.
3. Monitor Your Clock’s Ability to Keep Accurate Time
The regulator’s main function is to help fine-tune your Chelsea Clock’s mechanical timekeeping. Once the regulator is properly adjusted, the clock should tell accurate time for many years to come. If you discover that the clock needs frequent regulation, this might be a sign that you should send it off to a professional for service or repair.
4. Never Attempt to Oil Your Clock by Yourself
Never attempt to oil your clock on your own. There are better approaches to figuring out how to clean and lube a Chelsea regulator clock. We also have to warn you against spraying the movement with any type of lubrication, as this will cause more harm than good and could possibly harm your clock’s movement.
If and when you encounter any issues with your Chelsea Clock — from timekeeping to strike problems — resist the urge to try to fix it yourself. Your best course of action is to give us a call, as our dedicated and knowledgeable staff is here to address all of your needs. Submit an inquiry or call us at 800-284-1778 if you require anything from our expert team.
Our Clock Repair and Cleaning Process
Our technicians work on new and antique clocks at our factory in Chelsea, Massachusetts. Each clock we service is completely disassembled and thoroughly cleaned using an ultrasonic cleaning process, which removes old oil and debris from the movement. Our technicians then carefully inspect each component for damage, wear or breakage. We burnish and polish pivots, replace or restore worn bushing holes and service or replace mainsprings. The escapement (the clock’s “heartbeat”) is disassembled and cleaned as well. Our senior watch technician will then search for any damaged components that need repair or replacement.
Once the clock has been fully serviced, we reassemble the escapement and other components, accuracy-test your instrument for a minimum of two weeks, then offer our customers a two-year guarantee on all of our repairs.
August 14, 2019 at 4:37 pm
Your site is titled “How to fix and maintain a Chelsea clock”. But then you say “don’t try to fix it!”. Looks like an ad rather than anything helpful.
April 7, 2020 at 12:37 pm
Well put An. I had hopped for repair assistance. My 1953 Ships Bells. Chelsea keeps impeccable time beaut the snubber of the striking mechanism broke away so I have only ” 2 bell” strikes. I think I might be able to repair it with minimal guidanc
e. That’s why I read the ” How to fix and… But sadly disappointed. Help if you can.
Thank you.
September 24, 2020 at 7:07 am
Can I drop my clock off at your facility or do I have to go through a store front?
December 21, 2020 at 11:33 pm
My Chelsea clock has lost one of the rubber tips on the legs underneath the clock. Can I order one? Please advise
January 24, 2022 at 11:23 pm
Do Chelsea have For Sale any Chelsea (US NAVY DESTROYER) type from the 1950’s to the early 1960’s. The one I’m looking for would have been used below decks in the engine room (engineering department)
September 5, 2022 at 2:48 pm
How much to replace the springs?
October 3, 2022 at 9:36 pm
John M. Bartley,
Typically, the clocks in the Engineering spaces were the “engine room” or “bulkhead” clocks, the Chelsea version came with an 8-1/2″ dial face (possibly because they were easier to read) than the clocks with 6″ dial face which were used on the bridge, radio room, signal shack, etc. where you could get closer to the clock to read the time.
November 8, 2022 at 2:21 pm
I have an old 24 hour black phenolic Chelsea military ship’s clock that stopped working (second hand won’t move).
This happened after I wound it to the stop.
Is there an easy fix for this?
Thanks.
March 26, 2023 at 1:25 am
Hello I have a Chelsea ship clock serial # 112161 could you help me find the value of it? The bells work perfect and it keeps great time