Starting up the spiral staircase, the first sound to greet us was the heart-wrenching hum of a motor, indicating that we were about to examine an “electrified” timepiece. It was still a shock to see the system that had been installed to drive the hands for the four ten-foot dials. The movement consisted of the upper plates and bridge plate for a #2 E. Howard tower clock that had been bolted directly to two steel I-beams welded in place between two of the structural steel beams. The remaining movement components consisted of the center wheel and pinion, third wheel and pinion, and fourth wheel pinion. In place of the escape wheel was a worm gear driven by a Bodine motor. (See Figures 3 and 4.)

Our guides from the physical plant believed that this timekeeping system was not the original clock from the old campus but newly acquired when the building was constructed. If this timekeeping system had been designed or chosen for this installation, it seemed odd that the suspension unit and spring would still be installed in the bridge plate. Also, time was the only function required for the Miller Library installation, yet the vertical plates were for a time and strike movement with the holes drilled where the missing mechanical components would have been installed. The four sets of motion work, also for a #2 E. Howard, were too small to provide the proper support or adequate spacing between the heavy oak minute and hour hands. In high winds, the hands and counterweights would catch on each other and beat against the dial glass. As a result, some of the dial center disks of milk glass had been replaced with Plexiglas, and the remaining original milk glass disks were cracked and broken. We do not consider Plexiglas an acceptable substitute for 1/4" glass due to its high rate of expansion and poor UV rating. Each of the dial center disks, where the motion work was mounted, measured 60-1/4" in diameter. It is imperative that the material supporting the motion work be as rigid and stable as possible. The flexibility of the Plexiglas allowed for increased movement of the motion work beyond the capability of the expansion units and transferred this movement back through the system, causing damage and wear on all the components. The violence of this movement had disconnected one of the dial shafts from the bevel gear. Whether this system was the original or a replacement, it was obvious that it was inadequate for this installation.

When evaluating any restoration project, we have found that the best policy is the long-term solution. Since the problem at Colby College was the entire system, we felt it was not in their best interest, or ours, to approach the situation with a series of temporary quick fixes.

Our restoration experience has taught us that the majority of the problems with the mechanical timepieces are the result of many years of neglect or inappropriate and infrequent maintenance. Due to their location, the most ignored components of a timekeeping system are the outer bearings of the motion work and the hands, especially if access requires the removal of a large disk of heavy glass held in place by old caulking, putty, or a combination of both. We decided that the best resolution to the problem of the large 60-1/4" diameter center disk would be to divide it into four sections. We made a pattern and for each dial had cast four T-shaped division pieces that are flanged on one end. These pieces were secured to the inner framework of the dial with the flanged ends toward the center. A steel disk, for mounting the motion work, was attached to the flanged ends. This formed the framework into which four smaller pieces of glass were installed.

Now the exterior motion work components are easily accessible by removing a manageable piece of glass held in place with glass gasketing.

We proposed to replace the entire timekeeping system, from the electrified and rusty E. Howard clock parts out to and including the hands. We would design and manufacture a new system specifically to meet the needs of the Colby College setting. This system would consist of a Balzer Clock Works #3 weight-driven, pendulum regulated mechanical timepiece, automatic winding system, four sets of Balzer Clock Works motion work capable of driving the hands for the 10' diameter dials, and four sets of lighter weight hands made from all heart California redwood. The clock movement would feature a double three-legged gravity escapement with Brazilian agate pallets plus pinions and shafts machined from 316 stainless steel. The pendulum rod would be made from temperature-compensated Invar. With “Colby College” permanently cast into the iron vertical movement plates, this would truly be a signature timepiece for the college.

In May of 1996, we began the work on Balzer Clock Works Timepiece #102 and in March of 1997 the completed system was installed, to the delight of all. It is now part of the “new student” tour and was the featured August photo for the Colby College alumni calendar for 2002.

During the big ice storm of 1998, when the power was down for over a week, this “new” timepiece was the only system still operating on campus. In this case, old technology proved the more reliable.

Depending upon the diligence of the maintenance, the accuracy rate of our timepieces is within a few seconds a month.

About the Author

Linda Balzer, a former real estate broker, is partnered with her husband Rick, a former bank officer and professional musician, in the tower clock restoration and manufacturing business.

Beginning as a hobby restoring smaller clocks and watches, it quickly evolved into a full-time career. Rick’s interest soon focused on the restoration and custom design and manufacture of large mechanical tower clocks while Linda concentrates on marketing, project proposals, and scheduling. Son Chris Balzer manages and performs the restoration work for the small clocks and watches with the help of employee Rick Hamilton. Both assist in the tower clock division with the removals and installations as well as performing many of the annual maintenance contracts. All are required to teach the art of clockmaking to a select group of apprentices.

For interesting photos see our web site:
www.balzerclockworks.com.