Tick Tock, Tick Tock, time is running out. As you quickly glance at the time and discover you have a few more minutes before you can call yourself officially late. But then something unexpected occurs to you; you realise it was the same time as when you last looked at the clock! It slowly dawns upon you that your clock has stopped working. Hold on! In what way is this even possible when you just changed batteries a couple of days ago? The clock’s mechanism is to blame! You’d have to get the clock fixed quickly as you cannot afford to have another late morning! If only you knew how to change the mechanism of your wall clock, it would be less of a hassle! Well, don’t sweat the small stuff. We will have you changing the mechanism of your Rolex wall clock in no time!
What is a Wall Clock?
A wall clock is a type of clock that is mounted on the wall and adds both aesthetic and functional value to your humble abode. The clock mechanism is a black box at the back of the clock that powers it. Wall clocks come in many varieties, but the two most common are wind-up and quartz. The Quartz clock utilises a quartz oscillator to provide the correct time by generating electrical currents at one-second intervals. Now, let’s start with a detailed guide on how to change the mechanism.
Step 1: Changing the Battery
It could just be a case of lost power if your wall clock has stopped operating, and changing the battery could get it going again. Before changing the battery, we advise wiping the terminals with a moist Q-tip and effectively drying up the terminals. It is highly recommended to use a high-quality alkaline battery. Unless they are high torque, most wall clocks run on a single AA battery; in that case, type C batteries are used. If replacing the battery proves ineffective, continue with step two.
Step 2: Identifying the Clock Movement
It is imperative to take an accurate measurement of the minute handle’s length to ascertain the clock’s movement. The distance measured is between the minute handle’s tip and the central hole. A general guideline; you would need a high torque clock movement if the minute hand were roughly fifteen millimetres or larger.
Clock movements are Press Fit or Euro Shaft movements if the length is less than fifteen millimetres. Check to see if the hands move in a “sweeping” or “step” motion, which is indicated by the ticking of the hand.
The hour and minute hands of the Press Fit movement rely on friction to push against the clock shaft through a circular hole, whereas the two hands in the Euro Shaft Movement have different holes; the minute hand has a slotted hole that must line up precisely with the shaft to work, while the hour hand has a circular hole.
Step 3: Measuring the Length of the Shaft
The thickness of your dial determines the length of the shaft. The shaft’s length goes from the black mechanism to the shaft’s tip via the dial. It is essential to remove the movement in place while taking the measurements to get an accurate length. Remember, that different clocks have varying shaft lengths.
Step 4: Buy the Components Based on Your Measurements
Once you have accurately recorded the length of the shaft and the movement of the clock, you may proceed to order the parts for your clock. It is best to purchase a new, complete kit with hands and clock movement so they line up exactly if you are unsure about the movement.
Step 5: Removing the Old Mechanism
You must remove the outdated or malfunctioning clock movement before attaching the new one. The first step in accessing the hands is to assess whether they can be replaced from the back or the front. Once you have removed the glass or the back and can access the hands, proceed with the removal of the second hand (if it is present) from the shaft by gently pulling it off. The minute hand comes next. If the movement is a Euro Shaft, a small nut might hold it in place. In that case, unscrew the nut to remove the minute hand from the shaft. The hour hand comes last and requires a gentle pull-and-push technique to detach it. Unscrew any collar that holds the movement in place to release the clock and free the clock of the faulty movement. If an adhesive seals it in place, you might need a few instruments. To ensure no issues during assembly, it is essential to carefully record the procedures involved in removing the movement. Accurately following the stages in reverse is necessary for assembly.
Step 6: Euro Shaft and Press Fit Movement Replacement
A hex nut holds a Press Fit movement in place while it is being replaced. Once the movement is securely fastened, set the minute hand and hour hand on the shaft in a gentle manner. To enable smooth movement across the dial, ensure that the hands are parallel and have space between them. Try testing the clock with a high-quality alkaline battery.
Euro Shaft Movement replacement is a tad bit different to Press Fit. After removing the original movement, replace it with the new one and secure in place the original collar to the new movement before putting it back in the clock. After that, continue attaching the hour hand. Make sure the two hands are appropriately spaced apart and parallel to one another by aligning the minute hand’s slotted hole with the minute hand shaft. Reinstall all of the nuts, then use premium alkaline batteries to test the clock.
Step 7: Put the clock on and adjust the time.
Congratulations! Your Wall Clock’s movement has been successfully replaced! Change the time to reflect this. You may now put the exquisite ticking mechanism back on the wall and use your clock!
