SIEW CHEONG CLOCKS

Your clock's movement is a mechanical device which requires a service schedule to keep it running. You may relate its workings to your car's engine. As with your car's engine, your clock's parts are metal on metal. The main determining factor in how many years the parts last is how well you keep the oil that is lubricating the movement. As time goes by oil starts to break down and dry out. By running a clock movement that isn't sufficiently lubricated you are cutting short the life of the movement. We recommend an oiling every 3-5 years for all mechanical clocks. With the proper service a well made clock movement should last many lifetimes passing down from generation to generation. We are in the 2nd generation of this trade. Over these 50+ years, thousands of clocks have passed through our repair bench, some are brought in critical condition. Most, if not all, are repaired and restored to the full satisfaction of the owners.

Repair
Repairing is generally accepted as meaning that the movement has a worn or broken or displaced component that requires attention before the clock can be expected to render reliable service. This may involve extensive disassembly of the movement to gain access to the part needing attention. In other instances repairs can be performed on components outside the plates in an expedient manner. Essentially then, repair is accomplished to solve one or more specific problems, may or may not involve a considerable amount of time, and may or may not require the complete disassembly of the movement. If the movement does require disassembly, a proper and careful cleaning should be considered as it will improve the reliability of the movement and is in the best interests of both the customer and the clock maker.
Restoration
Some customer may prefer to keep the original movement intact for sentimental reasons even after the time involved and the labor costs have been explained to them. Restoration is normally meant to include complete disassembly of the movement and giving detailed attention to all of the component parts that are likely to have been affected by wear, oxidation or other factors that would affect its reliability. Specifically then, a properly restored movement should have the appearance and reliability of a new one. As every component must be removed and disassembled completely, a proper cleaning must always be a part of the restoration process.
Replacement
During the course of performing a service or repair operation it may be discovered that the whole movement is so badly worn or damaged that it is in the customer’s best interest to replace it entirely. Replacing a movement in a modern clock with one of the specifications is an entirely acceptable procedure and should not be confused with the undesirable act of destroying an antique clock by substituting an improper movement or sometimes the unforgivable act of replacing with a battery operated one. One advantage to replacing the movement is that the cost of labor and the cost of the movement can be computed quickly and accurately in most cases.

A Word of Advice on clock maintenence

1. NEVER oil any clock with WD40 as this sets to
    a sticky gel-like substance where dirt and grit stick to the brass wheel teeth which causes considerable wear on the steel pinions. Your clock might run when it is first applied but as the WD40 thickens it will finally grip the escapement and stop your clock
2. NEVER move a weight driven clock without first removing all the weights and the pendulum
3. NEVER turn the clock hands in anti-clockwise direction and in the case of cuckoo clocks, wait for the music and the cuckoo calls to finish before turning the clock hands

Also read our page on Tips on Clock Repairing

Standard Operating Procedures for Clock Repairing

1. Thorough checks for cause of problems, condition of the mechanism, whether its rusty, dirty or greasy. Look out for broken parts, worn pivots, displaced bushings, tired mainsprings etc.
2. A damage survey report is prepared with estmates of cost for parts replacements and charge for repairs. 
3. Customer will be informed of the total cost, nothing is hidden. Customer decides whether to proceed with the repair works
4. Clock will be completely dismantled. Each and every clock part will be checked, nothing is overlooked.
5. The parts are cleaned and bathe in ultrasonic machine with appropriate cleaning solution. Of course the defective parts are repaired, replaced or restored to ensure the proper functioning of the clock.
6. The clock is reassembled and lubricated with proper industry standardised high grade clock lubricant.
7. Tolerance test: after [step 6] the clock will be tested and tuned for 10-14 days the chime and strike mechanics are adjusted to deliver the perfect sound. The casing will be cleaned and if wood working jobs is necessary, it will be quoted separately

MINIMUM TIME REQUIRED FOR REPAIR WORKS IS 30-45 DAYS ALL CLOCKS ARE GUARANTEED FOR 12-MONTHS AFTER OUR REPAIR JOB.

Contact us now for more information and quotation