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.

Quartz clock movement installation
In essence, this is a quick step by step practical guide for the quartz clock movement installation. The first step is to get the old unit out of the way. Sometimes this is straightforward and sometimes it can be tricky.
Of course, this is done by removing the hands from the clock. Some clocks will have a glass bezel that will have to be taken off in order to get to the hands. Every clock is different so thoroughly look your clock over to see how it was put together.
Then remove the hex nut that is on the post where the hands were. In essence, the movement will fall out the back of the clock dial.
On occasion, the movement will have glue holding it in place. So, if this is the case, very gently pry the movement off of the back of the clock with a screwdriver.
Now it is out of the way and installation of the new quartz clock movement bought from Clockworks can be done.
Likewise, Quartz clock movement installation is usually very easy. Altogether, these are the assembly instructions for the time only quartz clock movement into the clock case.
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 applies to all clock movements that take a battery available on Clockworks.
For example, chiming quartz, time only, and high torque. Of course, the exception to this would be clock inserts.
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"
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 Super-Torque Clock Movement #HT2-B
The powerful C-Cell Super-Torque Clock Movement #HT2-B is the strongest on the market. These movements are for quartz hands 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 Super-Torque Clock Movement #HT2-B to the back, and the post ordered is long enough to go through the material.
C-Cell Super-Torque Clock Movement #HT2-B 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 Super-Torque Clock Movement #HT2-B 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.
Your website is excellent. I have a few questions–
The diameter of the threads on the post are 5/16 inch wide. The length of this post is variable and selected on the drop down menu. The unit itself has a case dimension of 2 1/8 x 2 1/8 x 1/2 inches.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Is there a replacement/substitute for the Hermle 2117 movement?
Obsolete, no direct replacement made.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Concerning the HT-2-b clock motor, can I assume that the 5/16 diameter listed in the description for the threaded shaft is incorrect? Above in the description, I believe it says 3/8 hole…
Would you please clarify, as it’s important for my current project…
Thanks very much!
BB
Turns out the longer 5/8 post, in the new shipment, has the fatter post on it than the shorter version. The shorter has a 3/8 wide post, the longer one has a 7/16 post. We will include the proper hardware to the unit
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Is there a super-torque clock movement that will drive a longer, heavier pendulum? Might be 36″ to 40″
Not really but you can use this external pendulum swinger, it mounts to the back of the clock case separate = |
https://www.clockworks.com/product/heavy-duty-clock-pendulum-drive
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Okay. I’ll check into that. thanks much!
Can I get a second hand for these c cell movements
Hi,
These units have the extended hand shaft and thus will not take a second hand sweep. Also they just do not make long long seconds anyway. They do not work out on the quartz units beyond 5 inch length.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
I’m looking for the C-cell with the sweeping second hand as I find the constant ticking very annoying in a quite room
Can I get a ticking second hand for a c battery movement? If so which ones? The ones I have are with a too short mount
Hi,
These units have the extended hand shaft and thus will not take a second hand sweep. Also they just do not make long long seconds anyway. They do not work out on the quartz units beyond 5 inch length.
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
Sorry but our C cell units do tick away
James Stoudenmire
30yr Clockmaker
Author of Clockworks.com
AWI / BHI / Lifetime NAWCC
Do you carry anything to replace part 354 617 on a Howard Miller clock 620 484?
Hi,
Many people request a quartz movement that they want to replace and give the numbers off of the movement wanting to match it up with the exact same unit. This unfortunately is not how replacing a quartz movement goes, unless you are replacing a Hermle chiming movement. You can tell if your clock is a Hermle chiming movement because it will take two C cell batteries and it will have the numbers similar to 2215 or 2114. So if the clock is not made by Hermle and you still want to replace it then you would need to match the movement up by what functions the clock has instead of going by the numbers. There are so many different manufacturers of quartz movements and there are so many made, it is impossible for us to have a reference of them all.
For Time Only movements (No chime, No pendulum) See this link
https://clockworks.com/clock-movement/quartz-clock-movements-time-only.html
For High Torque movements that are time only (No chime, No pendulum) See this link
https://clockworks.com/clock-movement/high-torque-quartz-clock-movements.html
For Chime Movements or Pendulum Movement See this link
https://clockworks.com/clock-movement/quartz-specialty-clock-movements.html
For Hermle Quartz (2 C cell batterys Duel chime) See this link
https://clockworks.com/clock-movement/hermle-quartz-clock-movements.html
For clock inserts (Complete clock that fits into a hole) See this link
https://clockworks.com/clock-movement/clock-inserts.html
Does this unit drive a second hand?
Great Quality
What is the distance between the minute clock hand and the clock center (hole), i.e. the minimum diameter of the clock I can make. Also, what is the width (not thickness) of the tapered hands at their widest point?
Can you please give me the width, height, and depth of the C cell battery HT2-B movement?
The C cell quartz movement we offer is 1 inch deep, 2 3/4 inch tall, and 2 1/8 inches wide. This is the battery box dimensions only and does not include the threaded hand post.
James
James