Striking wall clock: features, types and operation

The striking wall clock is an adornment of any classic interior that has not lost its popularity over the years. In addition to its luxurious appearance, the device is distinguished by its ease of use.

The striking wall clock is distinguished not only by its aesthetics, but also by its precise mechanics. They work at the expense of their own energy source, which eliminates the need to purchase batteries or place a structure next to an outlet. Functioning can occur due to the presence of a wound spring in the drum, a weight lifting mechanism or a special quartz crystal. The main advantages of striking watches are:

• reliability of the working mechanism;
• creating a pleasant, cozy sound;
• the presence of a variety of designs, sizes and body shapes.

The practical device is perfect for showing the current time. It is also worth noting that it is often equipped with an additional shelf for small items or even a safe.

It is necessary to separately mention the battle. This function is associated with the movement mechanism, therefore it operates at a specific time, beating the number of hours indicated by the hands. For the implementation of the "special effect" involved are from 1 to 8 hammers, which press on 1, 2 or 3 special springs. It happens, however, that 8 hammers are pressed on 8 springs to signal every quarter of an hour.

Some modern chiming models are equipped with gongs, which are mounted horizontally or vertically inside the case and are capable of emitting pleasant-sounding signals. It is important to maintain a certain distance between the hammer and the point at which it touches the spring. If the sound is unpleasant, then the problem may be too tight contact between the hammer and the spring. A weak sound signal is a result of the distance between the hammer and the spring being too great, and therefore the impact is weak, or the problem is that the sound element is not properly attached to the housing. The fight and travel mechanism work well until the winding of both springs is completed.

As a rule, the antique clocks still present in many apartments are mechanical. They consist of the following elements:

• an engine, presented in the form of a weight or a spring;
• gear transmission mechanism;
• a regulator responsible for uniform movements;
• a descent that transmits pulses from the engine to the governor.

It is the regulator who is responsible for the fact that antique designs are still doing their job successfully. Old clocks are used to decorate classic interiors, especially when it comes to a living room with soft armchairs, a fireplace and a lot of textiles.

Modern retro-style clocks are also considered to be no less popular. They have the necessary touch of antiquity, but are much cheaper and require much less careful maintenance. Models are usually characterized by a minimalist design, as well as the use of large Roman numerals.The designs will perfectly complement not only the classic interior, but also the modern one.

If we are talking about specific models, then, of course, we should mention the products of the Soviet brand "Yantar", or "OCHZ", which is the result of the activities of the Oryol watch factory. The production of such watches was carried out from 1954 to 1992, so today they are especially appreciated by lovers of historical finds. As a rule, the age of "Yantar" found at a flea market is at least 25 years old. The fight is carried out once every 30 minutes.

German mechanical striking watches are characterized by high precision and excellent quality. For a long time, Frederich Mauthe Schwenningen has been one of the most popular wall mount companies. (created in 1844). The first striking watches appeared in 1900, and for almost a century they were successfully exported all over the world. The company was one of the 5 largest watch manufacturers in the world, but closed in 1976 due to bankruptcy. Another German company known all over the world was Gustav Becker, which was born in Germany in 1847. Her watches were especially appreciated for their high-quality movement and noble appearance.

The wall clock of the Berlin company Zentra was distinguished by its beautiful design and unusual sound accompaniment. It is impossible not to mention the Hermle company, which has been leading the market for wall-mounted equipment with combat for more than a hundred years. The company was founded in 1922, and today it unites several factories that create not only watch devices, but also spare parts for other brands. The case of the structures is designed in a classic style, but it can be additionally decorated with a neat decor, for example, a painted dial.

The use of a wall clock with striking begins with the correct setting of the device. The accuracy of the stroke and the durability of use depend on how correctly this procedure is carried out. If the clock suddenly stops, the first step is to check the location of the weight suspension cable, and whether the pendulum is well installed. The tolerance for this design is 30 seconds per day. Otherwise, a mandatory adjustment of the device is required.

The spring is wound using a key that turns clockwise. It is important to rotate the key rather slowly, as sudden movements can lead to breakage. The launch of the pendulum must be accompanied by a steady sound that counts down the stroke. Lack of rhythm signals an incorrect adjustment.

If the accuracy of the stroke is impaired, then the reason may lie in the wrong number of swings of the pendulum. It is adjusted by moving the lens along the pendulum rod. For a lagging mechanism, you will have to move the adjusting nut up, and for a hurrying one, on the contrary, lower it. If the striking clock has stopped, then it would be more correct to contact a specialist, and not try to solve the problem on your own.

After the clock is in operation, it is recommended to wait a few days and count the daily error. To obtain the required figure, the difference in accuracy is divided by the number of days. For example, if a lag of 8 minutes occurs in 4 days, then the error per day will be equal to 2 minutes. One revolution of the adjusting nut approximately equals from 30 seconds to a minute, therefore, having found out this parameter in the instructions, it becomes clear how many revolutions will be required.

If you handle your watches with care and provide them with constant care, then they will serve for many years without any problems. First of all, it is important to carry out the installation in such a way that the device shows the correct time. The body must be securely fixed to the wall, and the pendulum must be hung on the rod block with extreme care.Align the watch immediately with horizontal surfaces. If the watch needs to be moved, the transportation procedure should begin with the removal of the pendulum. Then the body is transferred, the pendulum is suspended, and the clock is restarted.

After placing the clock on the wall, it is necessary to slightly move the pendulum left and right until the ticking is absolutely accurate. After the components are fixed with screws, you need to set the minute hand to 6 or 12, provoking a fight. By shifting the minute hand and listening to how the battle is heard every hour, it will be possible to get to the exact time. The clock then starts, but not until the very end.

The striking wall clock can only be operated in a dry and well-heated room. It is strictly forbidden to place them where chemicals or elements that can corrode the case are stored. Carrying a watch with a suspended pendulum is prohibited, as this may cause breakage.

The watch mechanism is necessarily coated with a special oil of the MTs-3 or PS-4 brands. The oil is valid for 2-3 years, after this period it will be necessary to clean and relubricate. The use of other oils is discouraged. It is also important to regularly remove dirt from thickened oil, which negatively affects the accuracy of the watch. The housing should be cleaned with a dry cloth; the use of water is unacceptable. It is worth mentioning that, if possible, repairs and even lubrication should be trusted by a specialist, since your own actions can lead to the termination of the warranty period.

For more information on the features of a wall clock with striking, see the next video.