Bristol 410 Clock

[OakHouse411]

Hi there,
Can anyone tell me please if it is possible and how to regulate the Smiths Clock. Mine is galloping away, gaining about 10 minutes every day.
Thanks
Andrew

[Nick Challacombe]

Having had mine rebuilt twice over the last 23 years, mine is now set at 12.00 and at least is is accurate twice a day.! 😇 😀 😉

[OakHouse411]

Thanks. Mine has also been repaired in the past!

[Philip]

I bought a new one from a gauge specialist. It doesn’t work.

[dwomby]

Originally Posted by Nick Challacombe

Having had mine rebuilt twice over the last 23 years, mine is now set at 12.00 and at least is is accurate twice a day.! 😇 😀 😉

I have one just like that and I'll bet we're not the only two to have them

David

[peter dowdle]

When I bought my 403 the clock has had its mechanism replaced with a modern unit which is powered by a double A battery. It doesnt work either.

[David C]

I had a Smith's clock in one 410 and a Kienzle in the other. The latter is still going strong. Like others I had an electronic upgrade for the clock in my 403. I don't think it lasted a year - but that was about 30 years ago so things may have improved since then.

[Roger Morrall]

As you will have gathered from the previous replies the Smiths clocks, which were fine in their day, generally haven’t stood the test of time at all well. As I understand it they rely on a electrical contact being made by the balance wheel to energise a small electromagnet that drives the clock. Not surprisingly that mechanical electrical contact tends to fail eventually as it’s been activated with every tick of the clock whilst it was working. That’s an awful lot of ticks over 50 plus years. Moreover each tick causes a tiny arc across the contact which also doesn’t contribute to longevity

You should perhaps hold a little celebration that your clock is working at all - no make it a big celebration!, it’s a rare bit of kit if it’s still working at all. Presuming that it is indeed the original clock it’s relatively easy to adjust in that there is a small screw head on the front which may even still have the original + - marks on it to indicate which way you should turn it to cause the clock to run faster or slower. From memory I think one turns it clockwise to slow the clock, but I’m really not sure on this point. Never turn the screw by more than about an eight of a turn at a time, then leave well alone for 24 hours and check out success or failure.

Those who have one of the always right twice a day clocks may care to take a look at https://www.clocks4classics.com/ These clever people have developed an electronic optical sensor to replace the electromechanical contact. I see they offer a kit, which looks incredibly fiddly, or they’ll do it for you.