Thursday, January 13, 2011

Setting a Hermle w1217 Quartz Movement

Here's a great post from Instructables on how to set the time and chime on an old w 1217 Hermle movement.



This German-made movement was a pioneer in bringing a "real-sounding" chime to a quartz movement. If your older clock has one of these movements, and it doesn't work, it's more cost-effective to replace it with a more modern mechanism. But, if you just need to set it, here are some good step-by-step instructions on how to do so.

From Instructables:

Top left are the STOP and START buttons.
Three knobs along the left side are also buttons.
A knob in the center sets the analog hands.
Upper right corner has the Make (Hermle) and Model# (1217)
Lower right is the battery compartment.

- The STOP button stops the analog movement and resets all digital settings.
- The START button begins keeping time after you're done setting the clock.
- Knob 1 sets the time in the digital portion of the clock. Turn the knob to the number you wish to set and press it until you hear a beep.
- Knob 2 sets the chime. Turn it to the the one you want and press the knob. This one apparently doesn't beep to confirm the selection.
- Knob 3 sets various options. This one also doesn't make a confirmation beep. The first position will do a full test chime with 12 "gongs" while the clock is running. Option two turns off the sound (default is on). Options three lets you set one of two volume settings (default is loud). Fourth option turns off the chime at night (I think...I didn't test it) (default is to chime at all hours).

After you've made all your digital settings, pull the analog knob and set the time on the clock hands.
Press the green START button to begin ticking.
Replace the back panel and replace the clock on your mantle (or wherever).

17 comments:

  1. Michael Bowers10:33 AM

    The first step is to start with fresh batteries, there should be a ticking sound. Then push the stop button. Set the hands (The analog portion) to 2 minutes after the correct time (this is to give you time to set the digital portion of the clock). Use the knob marked 1 to set the time in the 24 hour format by pushing it in, in the appropriate positions, there is a beep each time the button is pushed. The example shown on the back of the movement is for 2:02PM or 14:02, so push the button once in the correct position, switch to the next position and press 4 times, the next position in this example would not be pushed to equal 0, then the final position gets pressed 2 times. Select the chimes you want to play with button 2. Button 3 allows the following: Test, forces the chimes to play allowing a demonstration of the music. Second position is on or off. The third position select loud or soft chimes. The forth position allows a nighttime reduction of the volume from 10PM till 8AM. The start button is finally pressed to complete the setting action allowing the analog and digital portions to start in sync. This same movement also is known as a Junghans W771. I have several of them that the analog stopped working but the digital still works so the movement can be set, and placed out of sight. I really think this unit sounds better than the current Hermle movement and would love to see this one reissued.

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  2. Thanks for your input!

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  3. Anonymous11:15 AM

    I just inherited one from an Aunt of mine. The analog clock works fine, but the chimes are all distorted sounding - I replaced the batteries, checked each of the four options, and each one is still distorted. Do you think it could be a loose wire? Or something like that?

    I'm wondering if I should take it apart to see what the problem could be. I would hate to have to pay $80+ for a new mechnanism, even though the mantle clock by hermle is beautiful and is from 1983 (Auntie left her papers inside of it).

    Any advice anyone? I can't seem to find anything on the net.....

    thanks!

    Ken

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes, 1980's electronics simply wear out. It might be time to replace the movement with a modern Hermle, Kieninger, or Rhythm movement.

      Delete
  4. Anonymous1:40 PM

    Distortion might come from dirty contacts, bad wires, etc... There are nice sounding NEW chime movements from Rhythm which are another option. Ask your clock professional for other kinds of options.

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  5. Do you know where I can find this movement? I have a Bulova mantle clock that originally had this movement in it. Something happened and I took it to my local clock shop and they replaced it with a crap-tastic cheap horrible movement. I'd like to replace it with the original movement... Any help would be greatly appreciated!

    P.S. I sent a message to Hermle via their contact form on their website. I'm at a loss other than that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's no longer available. You can replace it with the modern Hermle version, or Kieninger, or Rhythm Westminster quartz movements.

      Delete
  6. Anonymous5:16 PM

    How do i turn OFF the sounds on a junghans quartz w771??
    thanks, Jan

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  7. Anonymous1:12 AM

    Trying to find THIS movement, do you know where I would be able to get a hold of one?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous12:43 PM

      I have one

      Delete
    2. You probably won't find a new one... unless someone's been hording them. They haven't been made in 30-some years. Replace it with a modern version Hermle, Kieninger, or Rhythm movement.

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  8. Hello to all,

    Some one know where con I find the mecanism junghans quartz w771? I tried in Internet, but i did not find any thing.

    Thanks to all

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  9. Anonymous4:24 AM

    Hell I will like to know how I can order a Junghans "quattro-phon" and how much cost.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have an older wall clock with this movement. I had to remove the hand to tighten the movement to the clock body. I replaced the hand then followed the instructions in the begining and the clock worked great. I then followed the instructions again as I had decided to change the chimes. Now I am unable to get the clock in sync. I have tried the other set of instructions posted but still unable to get this right. Also the pendulum will not stay swinging. Any sugestions.

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  11. I have an older wall clock with this movement that I had to remove the hands in order to tighten the movement up to the clock body. When I put it back together and followed the instructions the clock worked fine, I then went through the instructions once again when I changed the chimes to another choice.
    Now I am unable to get the clock to sync with the correct time and the pendulum will not continue to swing. I have followed the instructions as stated and also those posted in the comments but nothing seems to be working. Any suggestions?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sometimes, 1980's electronics simply wear out. It might be time to replace the movement with a modern Hermle, Kieninger, or Rhythm movement.

      Delete
  12. thank you.
    I guess that I will go that rout.
    Another ?
    When setting knob 1 do you set the clock to 1 press the button (beep) then set the clock to 4 and press the button in position #4 (beep) then 0 and press? then set clock to 2 and press the button in the final position (beep) and then press start?

    ReplyDelete