What a Full Clock Overhaul Actually Includes

Step one: inspection and documentation

The clock is examined, run if possible, and photographed. Faults are recorded before anything is dismantled, so nothing is discovered halfway through and quietly absorbed into the bill.

Step two: complete disassembly

The movement comes fully apart — plates separated, every wheel, pinion, arbor, lever, spring and screw removed. There is no such thing as a partial overhaul; a movement that is not fully apart has not been fully cleaned.

Step three: cleaning, bushing and pivot work

Parts are cleaned ultrasonically in horological solution, rinsed and dried. Every pivot hole is checked for wear and rebushed where needed. Pivots are burnished smooth or re-turned. Mainsprings are cleaned and inspected, and replaced if set or cracked.

Step four: reassembly, oiling and testing

The movement is reassembled, oiled precisely at each sink with clock-grade synthetic oil, then run on the test rack for two to four weeks under observation. Rate, strike, chime and power reserve are all verified before the clock goes home.

How to spot the difference

A genuine overhaul takes weeks and comes with a warranty. A movement sprayed with cleaner while still assembled, then oiled, will run for a few months and then return worse than before. Ask any shop directly whether the movement will be fully disassembled.