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. (Note: a few Schatz standard 400-day clocks were mistakenly marked "54".)

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

Bill's Clockworks is in Flora, Indiana (about an hour north of Indianapolis). If you are too far away to visit us, we'll be happy for you to send your 1000-day clock to us for repair. Packing and shipping instructions are given below.

We take the time to repair your clock properly. We disassemble, clean and examine the movement. We burnish or polish rough pivots, replace the mainspring if necessary, repair or replace any damaged parts, and do a final cleaning. Then we assemble, lubricate, adjust and test it. We guarantee our work for two years.

Prices To Repair Schatz 1000-Day Clocks:

$425 - $525

typical price to overhaul the movement and replace the suspension spring. Two-year warranty. The suspension spring is the thin flat wire the pendulum hangs on. (I give a price range to allow for parts or extensive 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.) The price will be at the low end if the movement is in excellent condition and the pivots don't need polishing. The price will be at the high end if many pivots need polishing and the mainspring needs replacing. Add $26 if the lower suspension block is missing (the rectangular brass piece with a pin through it that the pendulum hooks on to). The clock will have a two-year warranty when finished.

Suspension Guards:

1000-day clocks have a "suspension guard", a brass tube with a sliding lower part, to protect the suspension spring. If the guard is missing, I will replace it, so that your clock may be returned to you without damaging the suspension spring. The price is around $45. (Note: some suspension guards are no longer available).

$150 to replace and adjust the suspension spring only (plus return shipping).

The suspension spring is the thin flat wire the pendulum hangs on. Add $22 if the lower suspension block is missing (the rectangular brass piece with a pin through it that the pendulum hooks on to). There is no warranty if the suspension spring is replaced without the clock being overhauled.
Around $50 to $85 return shipping & insurance (continental US).

New key: $14 with repair (or $27 when bought separately).

Base Polishing services:

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

$250 to polish and lacquer a plain polished round base and the leveling feet.

I do not restore the rectangular 1000-day clock cases.

(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.)

After receiving your clock, I will examine it and 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 $95 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:

Please contact me before sending your Schatz 1000-day clock for repair. I am attempting to repair 1000-day clocks within two months of receiving them.

Our Address is:

Bill's Clockworks
8 W. Columbia Street
Flora, IN 46929
USA

E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: (574) 967-4709
Toll-free Phone: 1-888-742-5625

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 $14.00.

Dome:

Do not send the clock's dome or cover.

Pendulum:

Lock the pendulum into the clock. Secure the locking arm with tape in the locked position (use blue masking 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 thumbscrew. If the pendulum is out of the clock, wrap it in bubble wrap and put it near the top of the box.

Wrapping:

Wrap paper towel or tissue paper around the base to protect the finish.

Wrap the clock in lots of bubble wrap, so the bubble wrap is at least 3 inches thick. Then use a large, sturdy box for the clock. There must be at least at least 2 inches of packing peanuts between the bubble wrap and the box ON ALL SIDES OF THE WRAPPED CLOCK.

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. I'll e-mail, 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 finished. 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 suspension spring (thin flat wire) 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

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 styles of decoration above the dial. Most of the dials have small radial Roman numerals, but a few have small upright Arabic numerals.