Troubleshoot your own Telechron/Revere or General Electric Clock!  Know what’s wrong with it, and how much it’s going to cost to repair.  With demand for these clocks rising, more and more are being pulled out of Attics and Basements and finding their way onto Ebay!  Unfortunately, these clocks were stuffed away for a reason!  So, know what to expect before you bid!

Odds are that somebody’s mom, Aunt Martha, or Great grandfather Johannas didn’t store the clock away because it was running just peachy.  It was probably stuck in the basement or attic because it developed problems or quit running all together.  Unlike fine wine, these clocks do not improve with age, but continually deteriorate after decades of neglect.  Rising collector prices has seen an increase in the number of these clocks appearing on Ebay, normally accompanied by several excuses made by the seller as to the condition.  (You may want to follow up with our eBay
guide Antique clocks-Red Flag Signals in Descriptions.

Since our online introduction to this field back in the summer of 2005, we have had the opportunity to restore over 460 of these clocks in a 2-year period.  Many of these clocks were dead heirlooms discovered by some member of the family who wished to bring them to life again.  A great many of these clocks were Ebay purchases.  In order to save shipping money and time, the buyers would instruct the seller to send the clock directly to us, and we would take it from there. 

If you are looking at such a clock on Ebay, you may want to consider having the seller send it directly to us, regardless of the condition.  We do have a website devoted to Repairs of Telechron, GE, and Revere Clocks.  If you are so inclined, please feel free to visit our webiste at Silverdollarproductions.net, and select your area of interest.

This particular Ebay Guide is not a ‘How-to’ article.

It also is not an article on values, productions, identification, self-repairs or clock details.  Instead, this article is more of a troubleshooting guide, intended to help you quickly determine a possible problem, and the costs involved in repairing it.  More details can be found on our website, or by emailing us.

Below, you will find many of the types of problems stated in most Ebay ads.  Scroll down to find problems stated in the clock you are considering for a better explanation.

The seller claims “It Works!”
Believe it or not, this is a problem!  A working clock will usually always sell for more than a non-working clock.  However, don’t be misled.  Most sellers do not test their clocks for any prolong period of time.  The fact that the second hand moves when you plug it in is no guarantee that the clock keeps accurate time!  It is possible that the clock could lose a mere 2-minutes a day, resulting in it being 15-minutes behind in a week.  Also, the fact that it may keep time today and tomorrow doesn’t mean it will keep time next week!  Many of these clocks start off running well, only to slowly develop problems over the course of a week or two.  Before you know it, you have a clock squealing away and running as slow as a turtle.

Solution:  Chances are very high that the oil in any of these attic finds are completely dried out, and the movements gunked up.  All clock movements require cleaning and oiling, even electric ones.  Basic costs for a cleaning and oiling of a non-chiming clock run about $30.  Westminster clocks, having more moving parts, would run $49, $69, $99 or $119 depending on the level of service you choose.

Please note!  A complete cleaning and oiling of any clock movement is THE HEART OF ANY REPAIR OR RESTORATION!  We can guarantee you with a 98% certainty that the clock you are looking at on Ebay HAS NOT SEEN PROFESSIONAL SERVICE!  This is always your first step, and you will need to absorb this particular charge before any other problems shown below can be addressed!

  The Seller claims “It’s an Easy-Fix
Be real careful here!  We always wondered if it was such an easy fix, then why didn’t the seller fix it before putting it up for sale? 

Solution:  Some items are an easy fix, but still cost money to fix them.  One seller claimed that a missing crystal was an “Easy Fix”, and most are.  However, that particular crystal was not made aftermarket, and cost the buyer $90 and several weeks to have one custom made.  Therefore, never assume that an inexperienced clock seller knows what they are talking about.  Most problems described as an “Easy Fix” can be found on the list below, and you can make your own determination.  If you are not sure if a problem is truly an “Easy Fix”, email us with the auction link and we’ll tell you.

The Seller claims “It doesn’t run” (or it “Runs and Stops” or “Hums but does not run”)
All Telechron, GE and Revere clocks are powered by what is known as a rotor.  There were several types of rotors made by Telechron, but basically two types are most common.  Most non-chiming clocks used what is called an “H-Rotor”.  Westminster Clocks run off the larger “B-Rotor”.  Both of these rotors get their power from a magnetic field generated by an electric coil surrounding them.  The coil is generally what makes that light hum or noise when you plug it in.  The coils seem to very rarely develop problems, as they have no moving parts.  The rotors, on the other hand, have small gears inside them, which wear with time, and eventually quit.

Solution:  Neither the H-Rotor or B-Rotor are made anymore.  Fortunately for the H-rotor, there is still an abundance of good used ones.  We generally stock serviced and tested H-Rotors.  In addition to a cleaning and oiling of the movement, a warranted H-rotor will run $39.  B-Rotors are not that fortunate.  Supplies are non-existent.  Normally in these Westminster Clocks, we replace both the coil and rotor with a new, single piece electric motor.  So in addition to cleaning and oiling of the movement, a new motor replacement will run $89 more.  These motors come with a full 90-day warranty.

The seller claims:  “The clock keeps good time, but makes a loud noise as it runs.”
Once again, this is an indication of potential rotor problems explained above.  Most loud noises are caused by either wear or lack of oil on tiny gears inside the rotor.  If allowed to continue, the rotor will continue to get worse, and eventually fail.

Solution:  If the rotor is not too far-gone, many times this problem can be cured for $20.  We have a technique that forces new oil into the rotor through the tiny shaft seal.  This procedure does not involve any drilling or soldering.  However, there are some rotors that will not respond to this procedure, and we do not charge if the procedure fails.

The seller claims “The second hand moves, but the clock doesn’t keep time”.
Ironically, the second hand on both non-chiming and Westminster clocks is mainly a “Decorative” item.  They run independently of the other hands, and have absolutely nothing to do with the accuracy of keeping time.  Main accuracy of these clocks is controlled by the minute hand, and the gears attached to it.  If the rotor in the clock not operating properly, then none of the hands will turn correctly.  If the rotor is working properly, the second hand turns at the proper speed, while the other hands just sit there.  In non-chiming clocks, this could be an indication of a worn gear.  In Westminster clocks, it could be an indication of a worn gear, our quite possibly a problem in the chime train. 

Solution:  We normally stock a good selection of gear replacements.  In addition to cleaning and oiling, gears can run as little as $5.  Westminster gears usually start at around $12 with most averaging around $19.  Some harder-to-find, or “unique” gears for Westminsters can run up to $50.  Fortunately for Westminsters, some of these problems are just caused by gunked up and stuck gears or levers.  Many of these problems may not be the result of a bad gear, and clear themselves up once the movement is properly cleaned and oiled. 

The seller claims “The clock works, but the (Westminster) strike-count is different than what the hour hand shows.”

Solution:  Okay, this one you can do yourself!  As explained above, the clock is mainly controlled by the minute hand, not the second hand or hour hand.  If you remove (or open) the bezel, you can turn the hour hand with your fingers to match the strike-count.  So if your clock shows 7:00 but is only striking 4 times, advance the hour hand to 4:00 and you are done.

The seller claims “The (Westminster Clock) has a broken chime rod”
Most of the basic Revere and GE Westminster clocks use 4-chime rods.  If the clock has a broken chime rod, please don’t think it can just be soldered back on.  No matter what you do, you’ll never get the rods back in tune.  It will sound horrible.  In addition, a microscopic crack in any of the rods will also cause the rods to have horrible tune.  The rods might appear to be fully attached to the iron base, but there is always that one rod that just isn’t right.  Lastly, expect your seller to send you your clock with the chime rods improperly packed.  The clock you look at on Ebay will have all the rods there, but there is a 1-in-5 chance the long rod will break during shipping.

Solution:  We do provide brand new, perfectly-tuned copper rods, installed for $25.

The seller claims “The glass is missing (or broken)”
This is a common occurrence.  Please don’t shy away from a clock because the crystal is missing.  9 out of 10 crystals can easily be replaced, even the oval ones for the Westminster clocks.  Also, you may want to remind your seller to properly protect the crystal during shipping.  Crystals getting broken during shipping is a major problem, and always the result of poor packing.

Solution:  The most expensive, stock crystal we have is the oval one for the Westminster clocks.  That crystal runs $21.  Other convex, round crystals ranging from 2-inches to 6-inches in diameter normally run from $5 to $15

The seller claims “The power cord is missing”
Like those socks that disappear in the dryer, we just don’t know where these power cords go!  However, you need to be a little cautious here, as a missing cord could be a double-edged sword.  We are not absolutely sure what use people would have for these cords by cutting them off.  Since a clock with a missing cord cannot run, the seller cannot describe the operating condition.  Therefore, these clocks usually sell well under market value.  Many times we’ll attach a new cord, and the clock runs perfectly.   The bad news is that until a new cord is attached, you don’t know what other problems may be lurking inside the clock. 

Solution:  We do stock a full range of different power cords with prices starting at a few bucks.  H-Rotor coils for non-chiming clocks usually have the new power cord soldered directly to the power leads.  B-Rotor Coils for Westminster clocks have their own wire leads, which need to be inspected.  Cracked, dried or exposed wire leads would result in the coil having to be replaced at $14 extra.  Normally, new power cords are attached to the coil using wire nuts or shrink tube.

The seller claims:  “The (wood) case has aging and scratches (and perhaps a variety of other things)”
Like your skin, wood needs moisture.  Unfortunately, dirt, smoke and other contaminates accumulate on the wood over time.  Add in a few decades of basement storage, and you have a pretty bad looking clock.

Solution:  Our techniques for reviving old, original finishes is second-to-none.  In most cases we are able to bring a deteriorated finish back without stripping the wood.  Pricing for this procedure is included in most of our repair packages.  You may want to visit our website for more details and photographs of finished clocks.  You’d be surprised what we can do with clocks buried under an inch of dust.

The seller claims:  “The Metal (brass) bezel and pieces are badly tarnished, black or pitted”.
For the most part, Telechron and Revere used solid brass fixtures on all their clocks.  This polished brass was originally coated with a special lacquer to prevent tarnishing.  Over time, though, the lacquer may turn an ugly shade of dirty yellow.  Also, if any of the lacquer was removed from the brass through abrasive cleaning, the bare brass will quickly oxidize and turn black.  Improper storage in damp conditions can also cause pitting and staining on brass.

Solution:  Our case-work packages explained above also include restoration of the brass.  We completely strip off the old lacquer, machine-buff out the pitting, hand-polish the piece, and then re-lacquer it again.  The result is a gleaming piece, just as the factory intended.

The seller claims:  “I don’t know how old this Telechron (Revere/GE) clock is”.

Solution:  Well we do!  And we are happy to provide you with not only the age, but other interesting details concerning the clock, at anytime, and at no charge.  In the event of a Telechron or GE non-chiming clock, please forward the link to us.  In event of a Westminster clock, please email us first.  We’ll instruct you as what to ask your seller, and then use that information to give you a precise year the clock was made.

Why pay $100 in repairs on a $25 Ebay clock?

Yup, that’s right!  You can purchase a working Revere or GE Westminster Chime clock on Ebay many times for $25 or less!  What you need to keep in mind is that you are paying $25 for a clock that is usually in less-than-average too poor condition!  Our cheapest Reveres, fully restored and serviced sell for no less than $155 at any given time.  And even these $155 clocks sell as quickly as we can list them!  You can compare this to buying an antique car.  You can spend $30,000 for a fully restored, 1969 Plymouth Roadrunner in outstanding condition.  Or, you can buy the same car, running, but needing all the rest of the work for $5500.  If you choose the $5500 route, you can bet you’ll be spending a lot more before you have a car safe for road use.

Also, you are going to need to consider that Telechron powered clocks is quickly becoming “The Last Frontier of Affordable Clock Collecting!”  20 years ago, you couldn’t give a Telechron Clock away.  The Revere and GE Westminsters were looked down upon by clockmakers as not even worth touching.  Clockmakers didn’t want to fix them, and customers didn’t want to even spend $10 for a new rotor.  (It’s just another reason how most ended up in the attic or basement!)

All of this has changed.  The rising prices of antique key-winds have risen so much, that most new collectors don’t want to get involved.  Now, with the discovery of a family heirloom that was stashed in an attic, there are many sentimental reasons why people want them restored, regardless of cost.  Telechron has quickly found its niche’ in the collectors market, and prices are on the rise.  More and more people are buying them, and supplies of finer or rarer ones are getting smaller.  With the higher demand being put on the small supply of good parts, you can also count on prices and values increasing exponentially over the next 15 years!

“I would like to buy a clock off of Ebay, but
have the seller send it directly to you first”

We are more than happy to assist you and your seller in sending a clock directly to us after the auction end.  We will contact your seller with some packing instructions and other information they need to conclude a good delivery.  Once we receive the package, we will evaluate the sellers’ performance, and pass this onto you.  This way, you can make an honest feedback rating if you are so inclined.

Afterwards, we will diagnose your clock and pass along to you a good estimate.  If you decide not to continue with the work, you are only liable for the shipping costs to return it to you.

Silverdollar Productions is committed to bringing you finely reconditioned Telechron, General Electric, and Revere clocks.  We hope that you found this guide useful, and invite you to read our other Ebay Guides on clock collecting. 

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