Question on Seth Thomas mantle clock

[Rich Robinson]

Hi,

I recently bought a Seth Thomas clock to repair. Much to my surprise when I
finally received the clock I discovered that the movement wasn't quite what
I expected. There isn't an escapement mechanism, instead there appears to
be some type of a floating balance.

The clock is marked:

LYNTON-2W
8-Day Keywound clock with strike movement
catalog no 1200

The movement has this stamped on the plate surface:

A206-005 Two (2) Jewels 7203

Basic questions are:

Who really manufactured the movement?

Any clues as to when it was made?

Any repair manuals out there that may help me take it a part, clean it,
etc.? The clock doesn't work and my thoughts are that it needs to be
disassembled, cleaned, perhaps a pivot hole or two rebushed (though there
doesn't appear to be any excessive wear).

The floating balance, or what ever it's called, has me stumped. Never seen
anything like this before. So, I'd like to learn more about it and how
common it is.

Thanks,
Rich

[The Baron]

Your ''Seth Thomas'' number translates to a Hermle 140-010, the date may/may
not be stamped into the movement, sometimes a number ''72'' or a letter code
''C''.

I believe the ''Seth Thomas'' name is owned by Tandy Industries or some
other known company. I also believe that they do not make any clocks, just
sell the rights to use ST to whomever. Most other American ''names'' are
probably owned by a lawyer in Chicago.

Hermle no longer makes a floating balance movement and has gone to the
platform escapement. However replacements units are available through
material houses. They are about $25, I think. The complete Hermle
movement sells for $70.

You might consider purchasing a ''real'' clock (made before WW2) that can be
rebuilt for the next 400 years or so and might increase in value thanks to
your efforts.

New clocks, such as yours, just decrease in value their entire life(and
yours too). Recently, I had a customer bring me a garage sale special, ST ,
Hermle movement. He though he had a good deal for $40. He was not happy
when I explained it would cost more to repair/replace than it's value.

He visits ebay, sees prices and reads ''copy writer'' descriptions of ''good
German units''. I no of no better word to describe these units other than
crap.

Rich Robinson <rich_r...@attglobal.net> wrote in message
news:3a78e...@news1.prserv.net...

[Rich Robinson]

Thanks for the info.

Out of curiousity, how did you know the mapping between Seth Thomas and
Hermle? I'd like to start building a reference library of some type that
would have that type of information for future use.

Cheers,
Rich
The Baron <theb...@flash.net> wrote in message
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[The Baron]

Some Hermle movement distributors have this information as well as
conversion replacements for Urgos and Jauch.

You might try www.butterworthclocks.com but Mark does want to sell you
movements not lists.

Rich Robinson <rich_r...@attglobal.net> wrote in message

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