Care
Caring for your piece.
Practical notes for mechanical clocks, written plainly. Your piece also arrives with its own care card.
Winding
A mechanical clock keeps time through its own motion, and it asks to be wound — usually once a day, gently and to the same point each time. Stop at the moment of resistance; a movement should never be forced. If your piece's power reserve differs, its care card says so.
Placement
Set the clock on a level, stable surface, away from direct sunlight, radiators, and strong drafts. A quiet wall or shelf where it is not jostled will serve it well for decades. If it ever sits uneven, a small adjustment of its feet — never the movement — is the answer.
Humidity & moisture
Keep it dry. Bathrooms, kitchens, and damp exterior walls are hard on any mechanical movement and on the woods we use. If you live in a humid climate, a dehumidifier in the room is kinder to the clock than anything we could apply to it.
Cleaning
A soft, dry, lint-free cloth is enough, and only on the outside. Dust the case gently; never use sprays, polishes, or water on the movement or the dial. If dust has found its way inside, that is a sign for a service visit — not for a cloth.
Servicing
Like any fine mechanical object, a clock benefits from professional servicing every few years, and immediately if it stops, runs unevenly, or sounds different. We maintain records of every piece we make, and we are glad to advise on service — including, when you prefer, arranging it through us.
Questions about care? Write to us at hello@storyandhour.com — include a photo if anything about your piece concerns you.