North Coast Imports, Inc.

Lots of exciting news from North Coast Imports this month, including these NEW models that just came out:

Here's a cute new clock. We are having a Pre-Order Special on them before they arrive from Germany. Ask your favorite clock dealer for more info...

There have been some changes to the quartz cuckoo clock movements. The new models don't have the cumbersome "eye" or light sensor, but rather a more sophisticated night-off system. The newer clocks also have nicer music! In order to properly set up your new quartz cuckoo clock, there are a few things to take note of. The proper set-up procedure is already in your printed instructions, and here , but please also reference this article to troubleshoot. The point of the setup procedure is to FIRST properly align the chiming computer mechanism with the clock hands, and SECOND to set the correct time on your clock hands. In order to do this, you'll need to find out what time your bird thinks it is. Once you have the batteries installed, move the longer minute hand only (don't touch the shorter hour hand) clockwise until the hour is reached. Please make sure you have the cuckoo switched on before taking this step. Once the hour is reached, count the number o...

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...

Bill Hammack, the Engineer Guy, gives us a great video on how a quartz movement works: [via Makezine ]

One of the quality and trouble-free movements found in many of our clocks is the Quartz chiming mechanism by Hermle. These are excellent, accurate, and durable devices which are made in Germany and sound great too! The Hermle quartz movements are workhorses in the clock world, because they can provide premier sound and accuracy for many different kinds of clocks. The mechanisms also provide lots of options for how and when the clock chimes. Here's a diagram of the version of the movement which includes a moving pendulum: Setup instructions for this movement are very simple: 1. Insert batteries. Because of a special coating that Energizer brand batteries uses on their contacts which is not compatible with this devices contacts, it is best to use any other brand besides Energizer. Duracell or almost any other generic brand will work fine. If your clock starts chiming erratically, or (if so equipped) the pendulum stops, please install new batteries. 2. If your clock has a mo...