Schatz 1000 Day Clock Repair

Schatz introduced their 1000 day clock in 1954. There are two case styles: round base with glass or plastic dome, and rectangular base with brass cover having glass or plastic panels. A 1000 day clock can be identified by the “54” in a circle on the back of the movement.

Schatz 1000 day clock dated 9 55 (September 1955) on the movementSchatz 1000 day clock dated 3 56 (March 1956) on the movementSchatz 1000 day clock dated 3 56 (March 1956) on the movementRear view of 1957 1000 day clockSchatz 1000 day clock dated 8 57 (August 1957) on the movement

Prices To Repair Schatz 1000 Day Clocks:

$150 - $190 to overhaul movement. Two year warranty. (I give a price range to allow for parts or repairs that may be needed. If the clock is in very bad condition and the price will be higher, I will notify you before starting the repair.)

$65 to replace and adjust suspension spring. Almost always needed in addition to the overhaul.

$35 shipping & insurance (continental US).

New key: $8 with repair.

Polishing services:

(Polishing is available only as part of an overhaul - it is not available as a separate service):

$120 to polish and lacquer a plain polished round base and the leveling feet.

$350 to polish and lacquer a rectangular case (both top and base). The original type of brushed finish will be retained. I take the case apart, the old lacquer is removed, then the parts are cleaned and polished. The brushed finish is renewed if needed, the parts are lacquered, then the case is assembled.

$50 to polish and lacquer the bezel and hands.

$80 to polish and lacquer the pendulum.

$100 to polish and lacquer the movement plates. (I recommend doing this only if the movement legs show bad tarnish).

(Note: don't polish the clock yourself unless you are prepared to disassemble the parts before polishing. If left assembled, polish will remain in the joints and crevices, possibly causing corrosion after a time.)

Turnaround time: I can usually repair your Schatz 1000 day clock within 2 months. If you want to have one repaired, you may send it in now, following my packing instructions below. Please e-mail me if you have any questions.

After receiving your clock, I will examine it and I will examine it let you know if the repair cost will exceed the estimate given above. If you decide to have the clock returned without repair, the charge will be $60 for the estimate and return shipping.

Note: If the clock has been repaired by someone else and it still doesn't work, I will be happy to repair it, but the repair bill may be significantly higher than stated above. I recently received a clock that had unsightly blobs of solder and bent wheel teeth, requiring replacement of two major parts.

How to Pack and Ship Your 1000 Day Clock for Repair:

Key: I will not need your key - please check the key and make sure it fits snugly. If it fits loosely, it should be replaced. Please enclose a note saying if you need a new key. The key will be $8.00.

Dome: I will not need the clocks's dome or cover. ( I will need the cover only if it is to be polished and lacquered).

Pendulum: Lock the pendulum into the clock. Secure the locking arm with tape in the locked position (tape on the underside of the base to avoid damaging the finish). Slide the locking guard down so the two points keep the pendulum from rotating, and tighten the thumb screw. If the pendulum is out of the clock, wrap it in bubble wrap and put it in the bottom of the box.

Wrapping: Wrap paper towel or tissue paper around the base to protect the finish. Wrap the clock in three to four layers of bubble wrap.

Packing: Use packing peanuts for padding around the wrapped clock. There must be at least 2 inches of packing peanuts between the wrapped clock and the box on all sides. The flexible peanuts are better than the rigid type, as they don't break down into crumbs. Pack firmly so the clock won't move around. Make especially sure there is good padding around the top of the clock to avoid damage. Don't use styrofoam sheets, as it disintegrates.

Please include a note with your 1000 day clock with your name, address, e-mail address and phone number. Please state if you would like the base polished. I'll email, call or write you to acknowledge the receipt of your clock when it arrives. If the repair will cost more than the above prices, I'll notify you.

Payment: No payment is due until the clock is repaired. You may pay by check, online, or call in a credit card number.

Note on Unpacking and starting the clock

Be very careful when unpacking the clock and removing the bubble wrap.

After following the instructions for unlocking the pendulum, and leveling the clock, start the pendulum as follows:

Rotate the pendulum gently one-half (1/2) turn only and release it. The clock will then start running.

The thin wire (suspension spring) that that the pendulum hangs from IS VERY DELICATE and must not be bent or twisted in any way. Damage of the suspension wire by the customer is NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY.

Why 1000 Day Clocks Run So Long

The Schatz 1000 day clock is based on Schatz’s miniature 400 day clock movement (see Why 400 Day Clocks Run So Long ). A larger mainspring, with about 2.5 times the amount of energy storage, is used, but the gears (except for the barrel and second wheel) and escapement (except that the anchor has a longer arbor) are the same. The pendulum makes 10 rotations per minute.

Below are some movies showing 1000 day clocks in operation (note - 1000 day clocks do not strike or chime, the sounds you hear are in the background):

How To Tell When A One Thousand Day Clock Was Made

One thousand day clocks (and many others by Schatz) have a date stamped on the back of the movement. There will be digits for the month and the year. For example, 12 57 means December 1957.

See my blog for examples of 1000 day and 400 day clocks I have repaired.

How I Repair Your 1000 Day Clock

The mainspring is unwound, then the movement is taken apart. This includes taking the mainspring out of the barrel. The mainspring, ratchet, barrel, gears and other parts are inspected for damage and cleaned. Any damaged parts are repaired or replaced. Any rough or pitted pivots are polished, and their mating pivot holes polished. Any gears that had their pivots polished, and the plates (if the pivot holes were polished), are cleaned again. The pivot holes are cleaned with pegwood, then the movement is assembled and lubricated. A new suspension spring unit is assembled (if needed). The movement is tested, first with minimum power, then fully wound, to verify that the fork is at the correct location on the suspension spring. If the suspension guard is missing, it is replaced. The clock is then run and regulated for several days.

1000 Day Clock History

Schatz introduced their 1000 day clock in 1954. There were two case styles: round base with glass or plastic dome (glass came first and was changed to plastic around 1956), and rectangular base with brass cover (first with glass panels, then plastic). The first movements had straight legs, and were changed to the more graceful curved legs around mid-1955. The round base model came with several different styles of decoration above the dial. Most of the dials have small radial Roman numerals, but a few have small upright Arabic numerals.