Resolving a Strike Problem within HAC/HAU Transportation Operations

Revamped Article:

Got yourself an HAC timepiece? This German manufacturer has a rich history, full of twists and turns that'll make clock enthusiasts' hearts race. Let's dive into the fascinating story of HAC, reverse-engineer its intricate movements, and resuscitate that vintage beauty on your workbench.

Exploring the Roots of HAC: A Tale of Two Pioneers

Established in the heart of Germany in 1873, HAC (Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik) was the brainchild of Paul Landenberger and Phillipp Lang. Their original venture, Landenberger & Lang Uhrenfabrik, morphed into HAC in 1883. Proudly sporting the famous crossed-arrows trademark since 1892, this clever duo left quite an imprint on the horological world.

In 1926, HAC joined forces with Junghans, and in 1930, the two powerhouses officially merged. While distinguishing pre-Junghans HAC clocks can be tricky, once the collaboration began in 1926, some movements started to bear date codes[1].

The Art of Resurrecting the Striking Mechanism

Early this fall, you've just refurbished a charming HAC mantel clock with a time and strike function. After meticulously installing six new bushings, servicing the mainsprings, and reassembling the pieces, you tested the clock—only to be greeted by deafening silence on the strike side. Tsk, tsk, it seems the hammer tail and star wheel aren't playing nicely.

Fret not, my fellow clocksmith! Let's walk through the steps of aligning these finicky components, ensuring you've got the clock striking passionately once more. First, double-check all parts are in their rightful positions. Once the wheels are in place, position the multi-arm sleeve between the plates so the long arm rests in the deep slots of the count wheel, and a short arm is placed in the cut-out of the cam wheel.

Now, it's time to tackle the true challenge: setting up the strike side. If the wheels and levers aren't aligned correctly, the strike won't work its magic. For instance, the slots on the count wheel of this particular movement rule out a "passing strike."

The pin-wheel, the uppermost and one wheel removed from the fly on the strike side, takes its position in the "warning" position – this allows for a half-turn to set up the strike. With the star wheel in need of adjustment, there's no need to disassemble the entire movement. Simply loosen the nuts on the strike side, gently lift the plate (carefully, don't dislodge the wheels on the time side!), disengage the star wheel from the adjacent wheel, and rotate it slightly so that the hammer tail lands squarely between two of the star tips.

Once you've made the adjustment, ensure the strike lever spring is on the outside of the strike arbour. If the hammer tail is touching the star point at the end of the strike sequence, the strike may fail entirely from that point onward. Now, pop that clock on the test stand, and let's see those arrows dance once more!

Closing Notes

Successfully fixing the strike mechanism on an HAC movement requires patience, precision, and a keen eye. Patience to double-check each component, precision to align the hammer paddle, star wheel, and other cogs, and that all-important focus to restore the clock's striking functionality. While managing the intricacies of these movements can prove challenging, a systematic approach will make the process run smoothly, allowing you to admire the beauty of that vintage timepiece[2].

Dive Deeper into the Intriguing World of Antique Clocks

To learn more about HAC clocks, delve into our collection of fascinating articles, such as "Dating a Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik (HAU) shelf clock" or "Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik: The Clock Company with an Alias." Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest posts delivered straight to your inbox!

Dating a Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik (HAU) shelf clock
Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik: The Clock Company with an Alias
Hamburg Amerikanische Uhrenfabrik | Servicing an 8-day Countwheel Strike Movement - Part I

With the right insights, identifying and dating your HAC clock will be a breeze. Enjoy the thrilling journey of restoring your vintage treasure to its former glory – and remember, patience, precision, and an eye for detail are the secrets to success[1][2].

When not focused on vintage clocks, HAC, known for its intricate movements and crossed-arrows trademark, dabbled in cutting-edge technology, such as wearables and gadgets, having merged with Junghans in 1930, a partnership that later expanded into various technology-driven product lines.
As the popularity of wearables and technology grows, one might find themselves restoring a HAC mantel clock, initially crafted more than a century ago, and marvel at the common ground between the mechanics of an 1873 HAC clock and the modern, high-tech wristwatch, both dependent on precision and a keen eye for detail.

Resolving a Strike Problem within HAC/HAU Transportation Operations