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Clock Repairs

At Black Forest Hill we now have the expertise to repair many types of old mechanical clock and watch movements. So if you have been wondering where that old timepiece can safely be repaired, you are now in luck! We have the services of a local German Clock and Watchmaker in Toowoomba. In fact, he can repair most items from the size of a ladies small wrist watch, right up to and including something the size of a bell tower clock. Click here to see more information about Peter at www.petersclockandwatchcorner.com

We actually prefer it, if you personally visit Peter to discuss and leave your items with him to repair. All his details including maps are listed on his website.

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Peter renowned for his expertise in Germany, has been in the industry for over 30 years. Before emigrating to Australia, he was employed at a training school in Furtwangen, Germany. This school trained students in the art of clock making. Students came from Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Russia and even Japan. Peter’s area of responsibility included the repair and restoration of antique wrist and pocket watches, wall and grandfather clocks as well as museum timepieces. He has particular skills in the reproduction of parts for antique clocks. Peter has regularly worked on clocks up to 300 years old including those with wooden moving parts.

Since leaving school at the age of fifteen and starting his watchmaking career, Peter also owned his own clock shop and repair business. He understands customer needs and thoroughly enjoys seeing timepieces returned in working condition. 

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If your timepiece needs a repair, in most cases it may be well overdue for a complete overhaul. In Australia, mechanical movements need to be at least cleaned and re-oiled every ten years. A lot depends on the environment they are housed in. Continual use with dirty, or no oil will undoubtedly lead to excessive and premature wear. Clocks use a special type of oil. You should never use motor grade or machine oil.
Clocks have been known to run for twenty five years or more without a service, but repairs can become more expensive. Some very old parts may also be difficult to replace.

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A disassembled grandfather clock movement ready for an ultrasonic clean

Cleaning has different meanings to different people. We must ensure that you as a customer, understands exactly what cleaning involves.

No clock or watch movement can be properly cleaned and lubricated unless it has been completely disassembled.


In rare instances lubrication can be accomplished on a relatively new movement without cleaning. In other cases there is always the opportunity for dust and abrasive materials to be washed into pivot holes by the addition of clean oil.

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An English Grandfather movement - early 1800s. Note the Gut string

At Peters Clock and Watch Corner, every timepiece to be overhauled is firstly completely disassembled down to it's smallest components and every part meticulously cleaned. All parts are then closely inspected for wear and damage. All the pivots are polished and all bearings are replaced.


As the movement has been completely disassembled, it would be pointless to just repair one faulty part. Peter will overhaul your clock completely. Some people try to save money and ‘skimp on repairs’, but he prefers to save his integrity! To repair a clock takes time and when done properly, he offers our customers a full two year warranty on all major repairs..

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An original Black Forest Clock movement - Circa 1790 - 1820

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Some clocks like Cuckoo Clocks, may still have brand new movements available. In this instance your worn out movement is replaced with a new one. There is less labour and other costs involved. Many of these movements are still made today in Germany.


Peter our clockmaker has experienced working on many different clocks throughout his career. Whilst many clocks can be brought to his premises, there are some larger clocks such as Grandfathers, which may prove a little difficult. Some owners are able to remove the movement, pendulum and weights and bring them to him. Other’s request that we service their clock at home. Whatever your call, make an enquiry by telephone: (07)46599624 or email.

 

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An American Ansonia clock - very popular in the 1940's

 

Old weights for the English Grandfather movement

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Inside a pocket watch

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An early French Mantle clock
Oiling a movement after an overhaul
Testing a grandfather movement before placing it back into its case

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A pivot causing wear in the brass

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Worn brass after the removal of the pivot

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A new bush fitted after an ultrasonic clean and inspection

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Worn and rusty pivots must be polished and machined as part of an overhaul

The enlarged photographs above all represent pivots and bushes from clocks, and are approximately 1mm in diameter.

 

 

 

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Just a few samples of some clocks Peter has repaired.


                                             

Testimonials

Thankyou for fixing our cuckoo clock - we thought it was way beyond repair. K & M      Woon Yallock, Victoria

I previously paid over $400 to have my clock repaired elsewhere and it still didn't work properly! I even returned it twice and waited for over 12 months. I am glad I heard about your German Master Clockmaker. It is so nice to hear my old mantle clock working again. Colin   

I am sending this Email to advise you that the cuckoo clock arrived home safe and sound today and would like to thank you and your staff for the gentle care taken to repair it. Cheers Charlie,    Darwin

I would just like to say thank you for fixing our cuckoo clock. Although it took us a while to get it up to you, then a while for us to come back up to collect it, it was so worth the wait. The Cuckoo is ticking nicely on the spot we had waiting for it and we are so pleased.
So once again thankyou        Sonja E     P.S looove you clock shop & Toowoomba

You are WONDERFUL!!!  Thank you for your help...again...I truly appreciate it!  Jennifer

Again, many thanks for prompt, efficient and personable service. Regards, Irmgard

Big thankyou to the lady that helped on the phone!  Well it's going cuckoo now and my cockatiel didn't take any notice of it!  So it won't be turned off at all!  l just love the tick! Thankyou Sammy

My cuckoo clock arrived yesterday and it is beautiful.  It is happily hanging in my sewing room.  Thankyou very much :-) Christina

Thanks for the excellent service - received today. All goes well I could be ordering another one. Again Thanks Neil

We have arrived safely home with the two cuckoo clocks. Thank you very much for repairing my daughter's cuckoo clock and for your helpful service. We hope to visit again soon. Many thanks Roslyn    

We just wanted to let you know that our recently refurbished grandfather clock movement is reinstalled and running perfectly once again.  It is keeping perfect time, and the chimes sound just as they did when new.  Peter has done a fantastic job...thank you. Regards Jenny and David

Just to let you know that my cuckoo clock was delivered on Friday and it has been back up on the wall in its usual place since late on Friday afternoon.  All seems to be going well.  It is great to have it home again. Ursula

                                                                                                                                               

Click here to visit Peters Clock and Watch Corner in Toowoomba

 

 

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Black Forest Hill, Cabarlah, Queensland AUSTRALIA
Ph 617 46966288 or 617 46966455
© Black Forest Hill  2007-2010