Restoration, Repair and Conservation of Antique Mechanical Clocks.
Faversham, Kent, England.
I repair, restore, and conserve antique mechanical clocks. The craft of Clockmaking is ‘endangered’ according to the Heritage Craft Association. It is a privilege to practice my craft and preserve our methods for the next generation.
SERVICES
- Movement overhauls & restorations
- Sympathetic dial restorations
- Conservation consulting
- Pickup, delivery and setup
- Call-out service
- Condition reports
- Aftercare service
- Work guaranteed for 1 year
SERVICE AREA
My workshop is based in Faversham, Kent, and I serve the Southeast of England. For clocks with pendulums, delivery and installation on-site are usually required. For balance-controlled clocks such as carriage clocks can generally be couriered both ways so I can offer service nationally.
I can travel to any of the following areas: Canterbury, Whitstable, Margate, Ramsgate, Deal, Dover, Folkestone, Ashford, Sittingbourne, Gillingham, Chatham, Maidstone, Rochester, Gravesend, Kings Hill, Tonbridge, Royal Tonbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Northfleet. Dartford.
MY PROCESS
Mechanical clocks have many moving parts that require regular servicing to function reliably. Over time, oil can dry out, leading to wear on working surfaces and potential malfunctions in gear trains. Components can snap, rivets can loosen, and previous improper repairs and adjustments can create more issues than they solve.
A thorough service by an experienced clockmaker ensures the clock operates efficiently & reliably. Often, extensive restorations are necessary, and custom one-off parts must be crafted by hand, as spare parts for antique clocks do not exist.
When restoring, I use period-appropriate materials to ensure authenticity. For instance, when replacing a worn bush in an 18th-century longcase (grandfather) clock, I use hammer-hardened cast brass, rather than commercially produced bushes that do not match the original brass composition.
Often there is not an obvious single fault which is causing a stoppage, but many small issues can cumulate. Because of this complexity, it is challenging to address only one issue. For this reason I do not do ‘part jobs’, I thoroughly clean and overhaul the entire movement.
I disassemble the clock into individual components, clean and inspect each part for wear, deal with the wear, and address all necessary repairs. The clock is then reassembled carefully, avoiding contact with bare fingers to prevent brass staining.
After reassembly, I oil the clock and conduct tests for a minimum of two full winds (usually two 8-day tests for standard longcase clocks) before returning it to its case.
CONTACT ME
When contacting me please include a brief description of the clock, with pictures if possible. I aim to respond within 48 hours, and look forward to hearing from you.
+44 07938 768206
alewishorology@gmail.com
You can also send me a message using the form below.
Send me a message
I treat all communication as private, and won’t ever share your details with a third party