Best practices for conservation and restoration of clocks

Clock conservation and restoration requires a delicate approach to preserve the intricate mechanisms and original materials.

Always assess the clock's condition before starting any restoration work, as this helps determine the best course of action and prevents further damage.

A thorough cleaning is essential, but avoid using harsh chemicals or abrasive materials that can damage the clock's finish or harm its internal components.

When restoring a clock's mechanical movement, it's crucial to replace worn-out parts with new ones that match the original specifications.

Conservation and restoration of clocks is a delicate process that requires great care and attention to detail. Trained conservators can take intervenentive actions to address clock issues, with treatment varying depending on the type of clock and situation.

A conservator who specializes in clock care has the qualifications and training to properly treat a clock without compromising its historical worth. They rely on a system of examination, documentation, and research prior to treatment to ensure proper care.

Clocks can consist of up to five hundred individual components, making preventive conservation complex. Any one of these components can be lost or misplaced during cleaning or maintenance, resulting in damage to the object as a whole.

Conservators are encouraged to use restraint when restoring objects, making only necessary repairs rather than altering the appearance for aesthetic preferences. This approach helps preserve the clock's original form and historical significance.

A conservator can impart knowledge about procedures like clock winding to ill-informed clock owners, helping to avoid future clock damage due to human error. This education can be especially helpful for clock owners who may not be aware of the proper care and maintenance their clock requires.

Proper handling is crucial to prevent damage to clocks. Handling should be planned in advance and requires some precautions.

Wearing cotton or Nitrile gloves when handling the metal portions of the clock can limit opportunities for transfer of contaminants from hands to clock surfaces. Loose items such as jewelry and loose clothing like scarves or bulky jackets worn by a handler should be removed prior to clock handling.

A clock should always be grasped at its most sturdy area and moved from one location to the next on its back. The correlation of the size of a clock with the number of people moving it can ensure the safety of the clock.

Maintaining certain levels of humidity and temperature within the clock environment can prevent damage. A stable and appropriate relative humidity and temperature should be maintained to prevent parts from rusting, corrosion, darkening of silvers, and lubricants from drying out.

Incorrect humidity and temperature levels can cause damage to clocks. High humidity can cause warping, rotting, and mold or fungus growth in a wood clock, and can corrode the metal components of a clock.

Correct handling is crucial to prevent damage to clocks. A clean and uncluttered work area is essential to ensure the safety of the clock.

Loose items such as jewelry and loose clothing should be removed prior to handling a clock to lower the risk of damage. Wearing cotton or Nitrile gloves when handling the metal portions of the clock can limit opportunities for transfer of contaminants from hands to clock surfaces.

Pendulum damage during clock movement can be prevented by either removing the pendulum or fixing it within the interior of the clock via a latch or padding prior to clock movement. This can also prevent damage to other interior components.

A clock should always be grasped at its most sturdy area and moved from one location to the next on its back. The correlation of the size of a clock with the number of people moving it can ensure the safety of the clock.

Here's a list of precautions to take when handling a clock:

By following these simple precautions, you can help prevent damage to your clock and ensure its longevity.

Theft is a concern for valuable clocks, especially historic ones that are small enough to be easily stolen. Some clocks are made from precious materials that can be a source of temptation for theft.

A valuable historic clock may be more susceptible to theft than a wood clock, which is rarely stolen in a burglary.

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Agents of deterioration are the primary threats to heritage objects, including clocks. There are ten primary categories of threats.

Human error and natural causes can lead to damage, and these agents can occur in various situations, such as during storage, display, conservation, handling, or transportation of the object.

Incorrect relative humidity can cause damage to clocks, particularly those made of wood. Changes in humidity can cause wooden parts to expand or contract, loosening the joints of organic components.

High humidity can lead to warping, rotting, and mold or fungus growth in wood clocks, while low humidity can cause metal components to corrode. Glass facings can trap moisture, creating a prime environment for mold or rust to grow.

Incorrect temperature can also cause damage to clocks. Extreme temperatures can weaken, discolor, or disintegrate organic materials. In wood clocks, temperature is critical to conservation and preservation, as extreme heat and freezing temperatures can significantly damage the wood's surface.

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Damage can impact all components and materials from which a clock is constructed, including wood, metal, and glass. Fluctuations in temperature can be particularly harmful to clocks, and maintaining a stable and controlled climate is essential for their preservation.

Fire is a significant threat to clocks, as it can cause irreparable damage. Even small flames, such as those from a pilot light or fireplace, can be a potential threat to mantle clocks.

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Regular maintenance is key to preserving your clock's longevity. A clock is a complex mechanical contraption that needs to be serviced regularly.

Examine your clock every three years to determine if it needs to be re-lubricated. Lubricants deteriorate over time, and neglecting this can lead to expensive repairs.

Visual inspections can also help identify signs of infestation, damage, and excessive wear. This can prevent costly restorations down the line.

To ensure the correct storage conditions, keep your clock away from extreme temperatures and humidity levels. Avoid areas with direct sunlight, radiators, air conditioning or heating vents, fireplaces, and rooms with a draught.

Regular maintenance is crucial for the long-term preservation of your clock.

A clock is a complex mechanical contraption made of various materials and with many small moving parts, so even under perfect conditions, lubricants deteriorate.

Clocks should be examined and re-lubricated every three years.

Regular maintenance also applies to the environment surrounding the clock to ensure that the correct storage conditions are present.

A clean clock environment can eliminate opportunities for dangerous contaminants to come into contact with a clock.

An HVAC system can add an extra level of security by removing such contaminants from the air.

Clocks should be kept away from extreme temperatures and humidity levels, ideally without any constant fluctuation in their environment.

Dust and debris can build up upon a mechanism and deteriorate the function, as well as the dial, hands, and decorative features.

General maintenance requires light cleaning without chemicals, simply a soft dry cloth applied gently to prevent any build-up of dust.

Additional reading: Astronomical Clock Clocks

Any removal of stains or loosening of joins and mechanisms should be performed by a trained conservator.

A clock is wound by a key or a crank, and most British clocks can be wound by a key, holding the clock in place as the key enters and winding it until you are unable to go any further – do not force it once you feel friction.

Finish or paint damage can occur as a result of the use of cleaning products and/or polishes on a clock's surface.

Some products can actually darken or become opaque with age, resulting in a dark, dull and often irreparable finish.

Any words or images painted on a clock surface can become faded or even removed when these delicate pieces are touched and exposed to moisture from hands.

Cleaning products and polishes can do more harm than good if not used correctly, so it's essential to handle them with care and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

The finish on a clock can be irreparably damaged, leaving it looking dull and dark, so it's crucial to use the right cleaning products and techniques.

Even gentle handling can cause damage, so it's essential to be mindful of how you touch and move your clock.

Regular maintenance is crucial to keep your antique clock in top condition. A full overhaul is needed every now and then to fix or adjust issues and restore the clock's original look.

Overhauls involve taking the clock apart, diagnosing and fixing specific issues, and then carefully cleaning the internal clockwork before reassembling the clock. Our specialists can also undertake aesthetic improvements, such as case polishing and restoration, during the overhaul process.

If your clock's dial is in need of attention, we can help with that too. We offer a range of services for dial conservation and restoration, including cleaning, re-silvering, and waxing for brass dials.

For painted dials, such as those with moon phase or automata features, we can also provide expert restoration services. And if your clock features fine enamel dials, including painted porcelain or enamel panels, we can repair or replace them to their original period design.

Some common dial restoration services include:

Clocks come in various forms, each with its own unique characteristics and restoration challenges.

The grandfather clock, with its tall, freestanding case, requires careful attention to its intricate mechanisms and precise timekeeping.

The mantel clock, often found in historic homes, poses a challenge due to its delicate balance of aesthetics and functionality.

The pocket watch, a small, portable timepiece, demands a gentle touch during restoration to preserve its intricate details.

Displaying a clock can be a delicate matter, especially if it's a valuable or antique piece. Running clocks can be particularly problematic as they require winding, which adds to the wear-and-tear of the gears.

Handling a running clock is inevitable, which contributes to its degradation. This is especially true for functional objects, which are prone to wear and handling.

Replacing the inner workings of a clock requires handling, which could potentially damage the clock. A non-functional clock, on the other hand, is much less invasive to conserve.

Conserving a non-functional clock is a more cost-effective approach, as it eliminates the need for handling and potential damage.

Longcase clocks are particularly sensitive to extreme temperatures and humidity levels, so it's best to keep them away from direct sunlight, radiators, air conditioning or heating vents, fireplaces, and rooms with a draught.

Wood damage is a significant concern for longcase clocks, as the porous nature of wood can cause it to expand or shrink due to changes in humidity. This can lead to structural cracks, lifting veneer and inlays, gaps in joints, and the embrittlement of adhesives.

Most longcase clocks can be wound by a key or a crank, and it's essential to wind them regularly to keep them running smoothly. You should wind your clock until you feel friction, but don't force it, as this can cause damage.

Ideally, longcase clocks should be kept in a completely flat surface to ensure the pendulum swings evenly. If you need to move your clock, it's a good idea to fix it to the wall to prevent it from moving around.

General maintenance for longcase clocks involves light cleaning with a soft dry cloth to prevent dust buildup. However, it's essential to avoid using household cleaning products or commercial oils, as these can quickly deteriorate the historic materials.

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Clock conservation and restoration is a delicate process that requires careful attention to detail. Cleaning or re-gilding ormolu is often the first step, as seen in the treatment of a clock case.

Fine cabinet conservation and restoration is also a crucial part of the process, which involves replacing missing mounts, mouldings, and veneers. This can be a time-consuming task, but the end result is well worth it.

Case cleaning and re-polishing are also important steps, especially if the clock has been neglected for a long time. Brass mounts can be cleaned and finely lacquered if required, and japanning/lacquer-work can be conserved and restored.

Some clocks, like the Anglesey Abbey Pagoda Clock, require a more extensive treatment. This clock, for example, had over 600 components that needed to be cleaned, dried, and stored with acid-free tissue.

Here are some examples of clock conservation and restoration: