Long case watches, tall case watches, and long case grandfather clocks all refer to the same thing. Grandfather clocks go by many names and are among the oldest models in existence today. A typical grandfather clock is tall, freestanding, and its pendulum is housed in a nice long, narrow casing. Antique clocks were simply mechanical wooden boxes that covered considerable space. Modern grandfather clocks are still great, but wall clock options are available. The shape of the watch face and case has changed since the mid-17th century. Another element that has changed over the years is the grandfather clock movement.
In the past, long-cased grandfather clocks were made with two types of movements. There was the eight-day movement and the 30-hour or one-day movement.
The eight day movement
This type of watch movement only requires you to enlarge it once a week. Typically, an eight day clock was powered by two weights. One weight drove the pendulum and the other weight drove the percussion mechanism. A striking mechanism consisted of chimes or a bell. On each side of the sphere, there were two locks that were used for the winding process. A great example of a watch that uses an eight day movement is the Thomas Ross. Find this watch online and see its parts.
One day move
A day’s or 30-hour movement required daily winding. Watches that used this movement had a weight to operate both the striking mechanism and the timing system. These were certainly the inexpensive styles bought by those people who couldn’t afford eight-day movement watches. Manufacturers back then had found a way to make the one-day and the eight-day look similar. Some 30-hour movement watches had fake locks to mimic the two eight-day locks. Eight-day movement watches were expensive.
Longcase watch movement today
Most of the long cased watches you are likely to get today have an eight day movement. Their weights are suspended by cables and have a pulley system. Other watch weights are suspended by chains and have a gear system. The mechanics or the type of movement that involves weights, chains and a pendulum continues to be updated. A company like Hermle continues to make grandfather clocks for other watch companies.
Non-mechanical watches use electronic movement. They normally use what is called the quartz movement. Hermle also specializes in moving quarters. It can be described as a process through which electronic impulses pass from a battery through a quartz crystal. This feeds the clock movement at frequent intervals. When an electrical charge is applied to the quartz crystal, it vibrates and is charged by the battery, which in turn moves the hands of the clock.
It also drives the chimes and the pendulum. Movement made specifically by Hermle tends to last longer, regardless of mechanical or electronic style. There are many stores available on the Web that can sell you moves. You may need to change the watch movement and weights if they are faulty. You can find antique and contemporary wall clock movement quickly and safely online.
