Click for Mulder Click for Nordhavn Click for MotorCheck Click for Abeking Click for Walker

Ships Clock

Discussion in 'Electronics' started by JWY, Apr 20, 2021.

You need to be registered and signed in to view this content.
  1. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2004
    Messages:
    1,507
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    One of my Harwich brass ships clock is no longer chiming, but rings a dull thud on each half hour. I have bought ships clocks at Charlie's Locker (they deep-sixed) and at Bluewater Books who sent me to a clock repair shop in Ft. Lauderdale. I wasn't happy with the place they sent as to the cost to investigate the problem and then the cost for the what ifs. Has anyone had a ships clock repaired in FLL? Has anyone had a similar problem and can give a probable diagnosis?

    Thanks!

    Judy
  2. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    I'd recommend JosefJoseph on North Federal or they also do house calls. Not cheap but very knowledgeable.

    Your issue seems like a rather simple and straightforward one as the mechanism is recognizing the need to chime, just missing the chime so likely a fairly easy adjustment. Still any disassembly isn't cheap.
  3. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2004
    Messages:
    1,507
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Thanks, OB. That's where I went. The staff at JJ were very nice and professional, but I thought rather expensive in their estimates.
  4. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    My next recommendation would be Boca Clock Repair. They are on State Rd 7 and you do need an appointment as they do pickups and deliveries and pretty much a one man show. They are located in an office building. I've never used them but know someone who did and was pleased. They are known for being less expensive. No retail store location.

    Another I haven't used and on which I've heard both good and bad about is Alberto's on South Federal. They are located in a strip center between 15th and 16th Streets. Apparently, the owner, Alberto, and his daughter are the friendliest people ever when you come to buy or use their service, but woe be told if you ever complain or have a problem as their tempers will explode and come crashing down on you. As a result 90% of the reviews are 5 star and then some 1 stars, nothing in between. His prices are generally not far from JJ's either.
  5. classic

    classic Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2019
    Messages:
    58
    Location:
    ft lauderdale
    I would just have Seth Thomas do the repair great company .
  6. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
  7. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,647
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    Thru the history of time :cool:; clock makers and techs have been expensive.
    I just inherited the family 3 spring Bulova. Not a high end clock but still requires a check up every 2 to 3 years.
    I'll start taking collections for it in another year or so. One of the chimes has started going flat.
  8. classic

    classic Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2019
    Messages:
    58
    Location:
    ft lauderdale
    Oh i am bad sorry i was thinking of my seith thomas clock i had them fixed over at chelseaclock. they did a great job on my clock that was over 50 years old and still orginal sounds.

    Good Luck
  9. olderboater

    olderboater Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2013
    Messages:
    7,132
    Location:
    Fort Lauderdale
    Are you talking a Chelsea Clock location in another store? Perhaps the location at Bluewater Books?
  10. classic

    classic Member

    Joined:
    Oct 27, 2019
    Messages:
    58
    Location:
    ft lauderdale
    Chelsea Clock Company
    101 Second Street
    Chelsea, MA 02150-1598

    they do repairs also .


    they were the best .
  11. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,647
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    All you need is the UPS gorilla to drop that clock. In the best of soft packaging, that chime and more will get hammered the wrong way.
    I still like the idea of a local, hand delivered service for fine clocks.
  12. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2004
    Messages:
    1,507
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Thanks to all! OB, thanks for the new recommendations: music to my ears as they say :)

    I really do miss the chiming. And besides, counting chimes beats looking at my phone during the night to see what time it is.
  13. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 8, 2004
    Messages:
    12,647
    Location:
    Satsuma, FL
    So, After all of this,, Keep us up on who does the work and how it turns out.
    As I mentioned, I know it cost some bux, but good service and a happy customer has to be updated.
    Anything else should be updated also.

    Big smiles my friend.
    R&J
  14. JWY

    JWY Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2004
    Messages:
    1,507
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    Will do!
  15. ychtcptn

    ychtcptn Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 8, 2005
    Messages:
    490
    Location:
    Lighthouse Point, FL
    Funny thing, I am sitting in Harwich right now, not sure if they named it after the US Harwich or the UK Harwich.
    My neighbor growing up invented the wind anemometer with the cups and a nice brass read out for your home. He had a test tower right on the beach across from our house the we climbed as kids. They still have an office in Harwich, Cape Cod. Here is the history of the company and they have clocks as well, perhaps the Harwich clock has some history with them?

    https://www.capecodwindandweather.com/aboutcapecod.html

    I have a set of the original downeaster instruments and tide clock in my old house, my guess it these are from the 70's. IMG_3135.JPG