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Service: 1959 Cadillac clock and repair 1963 Studebaker clock.

Today I thought I would do something different so I started on my friend’s 1959 Cadillac clock and a Studebaker clock. These clocks are driven by a spring that is wound via an electromagnetic coil. When testing the Cadillac clock nothing happens and when testing the Studebaker clock the winding coil keeps engaging and does not wind the spring. 

P1100427

I start by getting the movement out of the tin can that holds it.

P1100428

The movement is in decent condition with no corrosion or excessive wear!:)

P1100429

Here you can see the mainspring and the contact that engages the coil.

P1100431

Here you can see the winding mechanism! I try to remove it, but it’s stuck… The glass in the front chipped a little in the process and I consider myself lucky the glass did not shatter! I can dismantle this from the back so I will continue.

P1100432

I remove the coil bridge.

P1100433

Here you can see the magnetic plate and spring and the driving/ratchet wheel.

P1100436

I remove the upper train bridge and here you can see pin pallet escapement in all it’s glory!

P1100437

The hairspring is fixed in place with glue! I do not want to risk breaking it so I clean the jewel and other pivot holes with pegwood and Rodico.

P1100438

The ratchet click is worn and not catching the ratchet wheel hence the non-stop winding action when power is applied.

P1100439

I file a new surface and now it works fine.

P1100442

I clean all the parts.

P1100443

I put the gear train back in place.

P1100450

Movement coming together!

Here is a little video of the mechanism.  
P1100454

Movement back together and working!:)

P1100455

Nothing wrong with the sporty design!

Now for the Cadillac clock. I have two clocks so I will make one out of the best parts from both. P1090701   I remove the winding mechanism.
P1090703

Here you can see the Cadillac movement in all it’s glory. In principle exactly the same as the Studebaker.

P1090704

Here you can see the dial and hands.

P1090707

I remove the dial and you can see the hour wheel and a dial washer/spring.

P1090709

The Cadillac clock is a little more stained, but everything seems to be in decent condition.

P1100413

I have removed the coil module from the back.

P1100414

I removed the movement plate and you can see the gear train. The hairspring is fitted with a little pin, so I removed it for cleaning.

P1100418

Everything taken apart for cleaning.

P1100420

This is the top jewel for the balance staff! The balance staff is shaped like a cone and end shake is adjusted with the screw it sits in.. Crude but it works and makes for a super solid balance staff!

P1100419

Needless to say I see no need in polishing the movement plates or wheels. This is about function only! 😛

P1100421

I get the gear train in place.

P1100423

Movement coming together and is ticking again.

P1100424

Funky looking thing!

P1100425

Dial and hands go back onto the movement. The hands were nicer from the donor movement so I used them!

P1090710

Here you can see the bezel, the crystal is full of small scratches and could do with a little polish.

P1090711

I take the crystal out for a clean and polish (I’m lucky it’s in one piece)

P1100441

The setting pinion is basically push fitted in place…

  Here is a little video of the Cadillac clock:
P1100462

Clock back together looking very flashy! 

P1100464

Proof is in the pudding! So I test that the coil engages when wound down on my car battery.

P1100461

I must say they made them look a million dollars back then!

3 Responses to Service: 1959 Cadillac clock and repair 1963 Studebaker clock.

  1. I have 4 studebaker clock. Could you repair them. I live in France

  2. I would never have thought about clocks in old cars as something to get excited about, but these two are gorgeous. Thanks for posting this, and let’s have some more!

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