Welby mantle clock

QuestionEdit

Due to my mother's passing, I've received a Welby mantle clock. I'm thrilled to own one, but have some questions about its functioning. On the back of the movement is: 78, Welby Division, Elgin National watch co., Two (2) jewels, unadjusted, Made in West Germany, 340-020. It has 5 rods(?)

  I would venture to say it is a 1978.  It has 2 jewels (what actually is a jewel?). It seems to chime correctly,with some slight hesitation, but does not even "try" to strike on the hour.It has 3 winding locations with the left most not winding/tensioning up much at all.Thank you in advance for your response!

AnswerEdit

Roland, you are correct. the movement was manufactured in 1978. It is a Hermle movement made for Welby. It has a floating balance as a regulator. At the top back of the movement is the balance wheel which is attached to a thin tube. The tube has a jewel in each end with a hole in it. A piece of thin wire goes through the holes in the jewels and the whole assembly rotates back and forth on the wire. The jewels are synthetic and have no jewel value. I don't know how long ago the movement was serviced, but the slowness of the chime can be a result of gummy lubricants and/or worn parts. If the left winding arbor for the strike# is not winding, it could be that the mainspring has broken and needs to be replaced. It would be best to have an experienced clockmaker look at it. I'm afraid there is nothing that you can do yourself. If you cannot find a clockmaker, let me know the area in which you live and I will see if there are any members of our Internet Clocksmiths Group near you.

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