How to Set and Correct a Clock's Chime

Chime out of sequence is normal

Almost every chiming clock will eventually chime the quarters at the wrong quarter, or strike the wrong hour. It is not a fault in the movement. It happens after a stoppage, a hand-setting error, or a chime-selection change mid-sequence.

Correcting the quarters

Let the clock run without touching it until it self-corrects, which most modern Hermle and Kieninger movements do within one to two hours. If it does not self-correct, move the minute hand slowly counter-clockwise past twelve, pausing at each quarter to let the chime finish.

Correcting the hour strike

If the clock chimes the full hour sequence but strikes the wrong number, move only the hour hand — gently, and on its own — to the hour actually being struck. The hour hand is a friction fit on nearly all clocks and is designed to be adjusted this way.

Rules that prevent chime problems

Never move the hands backwards past a chiming point on an older movement. Never change the chime selector while the clock is chiming. Always let each sequence finish before moving the hands again. And always set time forward, going the long way round rather than backwards.