Quartz Clock Movement Removal
This note explains quartz clock movement removal from the case. The following does not apply to quartz units made in Germany or inserts.
To remove the movement, you need access to the back of the clock and the front side of the clock dial. There are so many case designs it would not be possible to cover all of the different variations.
The clock case went to together so it comes apart. It may take a bit of probing but there is always a way to take it apart because it went together.
Getting access to the dial area
There are many case designs and styles and there is no way for us to know how the current specific clock went together. Most of the time the removal process is very easy but of course there are some instances where it is not user friendly.
Thus, it is on the users end to be able to access the dial and movement area to continue with the swap out.
Clock hand removal
Quartz clock movement removal always needs the hands to come off first. There are two reasons for this.
First, need to have access to the hardware that mounts the movement. Second, there is no way to take get the movement out of the clock if the hands are still on it. They certainly will not fit through the hole in the clock.
Quartz Clock Movement Removal - Minute hand
Quartz clock movements have two styles of minute hands. One style has a nut that holds it in place and the other style is a friction fit.
The friction fit has no nut and just pulls off with a twist and pull. The second style has a minute hand nut to secure the minute hand. Removal is done by turning the nut to the left with needle nose pliers. Once the nut is loose it only requires fingers to unscrew it.
Hour hand
In a Quartz clock Movement removal task, the hour hand is only a friction fit. Thus, the hour tube tapers down on the movement, meaning it is wider on the low end of it.
This makes the hour hand friction fit only. Just twist the hand and pull it until it comes off.
Second hand
The second hand pulls straight up and off if the clock has one.
How to Install a Battery Clock Movement
Welcome to our comprehensive guide on installing a battery clock movement. Whether you're a seasoned clock enthusiast or a novice DIYer, this step-by-step tutorial will help you breathe new life into your cherished timepiece.
To begin, let's address the removal of the old clock movement. This process can vary depending on the design of your clock. Start by carefully removing the hands from the clock. In some cases, you may need to remove a glass bezel to access the hands. Once the hands are off, locate the hex nut securing the movement to the clock dial. Remove this nut to release the movement.
Occasionally, the movement may be secured with glue. If so, gently pry the movement off the back of the clock using a screwdriver.
Now that the old movement is out of the way, it's time to install the new quartz clock movement. Clockworks offers a variety of high-quality quartz movements suitable for different types of clocks.
Quartz clock movement installation is typically straightforward. Follow the sequential order of installation outlined below to ensure a successful upgrade:
Sequential Order of Installation
- 1. Place the steel hanger over the post with the threads (optional)
- 2. Place black rubber washer on the post next (optional)
- 3. Start mounting the movement by putting the post through the dial
- 4. Then on the front of the dial, slide the brass washer onto the post of the movement.
- 5. Put the hex nut on post and tighten so it holds the movement to the back of the clock face.
- 6. Push hour hand on the post by friction fit
- 7. Put the minute hand on the post
- 8. If using a second screw the doughnut on to hold the minute hand in place. Then install the second hand now by friction fit. The post just sticks onto the pin at the end of the post.
- 9. If not using a second hand just secure the minute hand with the pretty cap nut.
The Movement Installation is Now Complete
Naturally, this guide applies to all clock movements that take a battery, available on Clockworks.
For example, Clockworks offers a variety of options including chiming quartz, time-only, and high torque movements. However, clock inserts are an exception.
Additional Tips for Successful Installation
When installing a new battery clock movement, ensure that all components fit securely and are aligned properly to avoid any issues with timekeeping or functionality.
Before tightening any nuts or screws, double-check that the movement is correctly positioned within the clock case to prevent misalignment.
If you encounter any difficulties during installation, refer to the manufacturer's instructions or seek assistance from a professional clockmaker.
Quartz clock movement measuring
Please select the post length when ordering a new quartz clock movement. Of course, when doing quartz clock movement measuring, remember the post will need to be able to go through the thickness of the dial face.
Also remember that the dial may or may not have a wood backing to it. With a wood backing the clock dial or face would be thicker and thus would need a longer post.
Clockworks offers multiple post lengths on quartz clock movements for this reason. In other words, the post has to be long enough to go through whatever thickness we are calling the dial.
What to measure
Clockworks offers multiple post lengths for quartz movements. When completing a quartz clock movement measurement, you will need to measure the post on the old movement.
This is so it can match up with the new quartz movement. To clarify, the post is the part that goes through the dial (face) and mounts from the front and what is in a quartz clock movement measurement.
This applies to all Clockworks quartz movements, including chiming quartz, and time only quartz movements.
Length depends on dial thickness
When working on a quartz clock movement measurement the post has to be long enough to go through whatever thickness that the clock face/dial, might be. The length of the threaded portion of the post/shaft, is the measurement that you need.
The shaft with the threads needs to go through the dial/face of the clock from the back to the front. It needs to be long enough for a small hex nut to screw onto it. It can’t be too long or the hands will not move correctly.
Clockworks has a variety of quartz clock movement lengths to accommodate a variety of different materials since some are wood and some are metal and some are plastic, etc.
Measuring quartz post lengths
Above all, when replacing a quartz movement it means measuring quartz post lengths. Subsequently, the post will stick out through the front of the clock dial.
Of course, there needs to be enough threads sticking out for the hex nut to be put on. Hence, the movement will be held in place to the back of the dial (clock face) and will not move. Sometimes if the clock has glass over the face it is possible for the post to hit it.
Therefore it is important to measure the quartz post length correctly. In other words, if the post hits the glass, the hands will not be able to move. Thus making the clock not work.
Use the chart if building a clock
With that being said, find the correct quartz post length by using the chart below. So remember, the threads on the post need to be at least 2/16 longer than the thickness of the clock dial.
To clarify, a clock dial is the face (also known as the thing with the numbers on it). As always, email us if there is any question.
Measuring quartz post lengths if replacing a clock
If replacing a movement and not building a clock, it is easier to measure the quartz post length of the old movement.
Before measuring, remove the movement first by taking off the hands and then the hex nut. Next, measure the length of the post that has the threads that the hex nut was on.
In short, only measure the fat part of the hand shaft that we call a post. Also, never include the part that the hands go on when measuring the post length. All in all, the new unit needs to be the same post length as the old movement.
Overall, this applies to all quartz clock movements available on Clockworks such as chiming quartz and time only quartz.
Dial Thickness
- 1/16 inch thick
- 3/16 inch thick
- 5/16 inch thick
- 9/16 inch thick
- 3/4 inch thick
Size Post Needed
- 3/16"
- 5/16"
- 7/16"
- 11/16"
- 15/16"
C-Cell High Torque Clock Movement #HT2
The powerful C-Cell High Torque Clock Movement is the strongest on the market. These units are meant for quartz hands that are 12 inches and longer. There is no stronger battery operated unit than this one.
Make a large clock out of anything such as barn wood, wood barrel tops. As long as the piece it goes through has a 3/8 hole to mount the C-Cell High Torque Clock Movement to the back, and the post ordered is long enough to go through the material. C-Cell High Torque Clock Movement have a threaded post diameter of 5/16 and a case dimension of 2-3/4'H x 2-3/16'W x 1'D. These are not sold as weatherproof out door units, that aspect remains untested. The C-Cell High Torque Clock Movement units are stronger than the AA units and would also last longer with the very long hands. The post that is being measured is as described on the above diagram.
This is the threaded portion of the C-Cell High Torque Clock Movement that goes through the dial face and needs to be long enough to mount the hex nut onto this post, in the front of the dial face.
This means the C-Cell High Torque Clock Movement is just mounted to the dial and nothing else, then you can put you're hour hand on, and then the minute hand with its nut.
C-Cell High Torque Clock Movement #HT2
Dial Thickness
- 1/16 inch thick
- 3/16 inch thick
- 5/16 inch thick
- 9/16 inch thick
- 3/4 inch thick
Size Post Needed
- 3/16"
- 5/16"
- 7/16"
- 11/16"
- 15/16"
looking for a high torque radio control movement it is replacing seiko movement with 8inch minute and 4.5 inch hour hand
Sorry do not have the radio units, too many defects
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
does the c cell high torque movement come with matching hands as in the picture?
Hi,
No does not come with the hands. The hands are selected and ordered separate. The reasons are among the following
1. We would not know what length or style hands to send for the clock case and dial
2. Many have the hands from the old unit if they are replacing a broken unit.
So to add cost onto the product to ship hands that are not needed, or are not right for the clock, would just not make economical sense for either customer nor vendor.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Need a 3/8 inch hex nut
Nut
https://www.clockworks.com/product/quartz-clock-movement-hardware
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
perfect movement for my project
I have a very large Seth Thomas Autoset battery powered wall clock and the movement isn’t working. The hour hand is 12 inches long, measured from the post to the tip. I’m thinking about using a high torque movement to replace it, with a 12inch hand. Would that work? If the minute hand you provide is 12 Inches long, how long is the hour hand?
We have the super torque movement and the hands that you want. The hands are ordered by the length of the longest, or minute hand, measured from the hole to the tip. The short, or hour hand comes proportioned to the minute hand as a set.
Here is the link to them; https://www.clockworks.com/product/c-cell-super-torque-clock-movement
We have the super torque movement and the hands that you want. The hands are ordered by the length of the longest, or minute hand, measured from the hole to the tip. The short, or hour hand comes proportioned to the minute hand as a set.
Here is the link to them; https://www.clockworks.com/product/c-cell-super-torque-clock-movement