Your Ultimate Guide to Mechanical Amish Clock Movements

Today we’re going to explore the world of mechanical Amish clock movements (also known as windup movements). There are many mechanical clock movements to choose from and movements have different features. Which movement is the best option for your grandfather, wall, or mantel clock? We’ll explore this question and more in this comprehensive guide to mechanical clock movements. 

At Old Time Chimes, we manufacturer fine clock cabinetry. While we do not manufacturer clock movements, we install high quality mechanical movements produced by German brands Hermle and Keininger in our clock cabinets.

Check out our other article to learn more about battery-operated clock movements.

What are Mechanical Amish Clock Movements?

A mechanical clock movement is the hardware inside a clock cabinet that controls the operations (time-keeping and chiming) of the clock.

Mechanical clock movements are usually powered by weights or springs. In both cases, mechanical movements need to be wound up (usually weekly) in order to keep the movement operational (hence the name “windup” movement)

Mechanical movements for larger grandfather clocks, grandmother clocks, and other floor clocks are typically powered by weights. The size of a floor clock usually allows enough space for the weights to fall before the clock needs to be wound up again. Some wall clocks are also designed to accommodate weight-powered movements.

Windup movements for smaller clocks (like grandfather wall clocks or shelf clocks) are usually powered by springs, as the size does not allow for the use of weights. Weights shown in clocks with spring powered movements are not functional. They are installed for decorative purposes only. 

The primary brand of windup movement used in Amish clocks is Hermle. Another brand that is quite common is Keininger. Both of these brands have their origins in Germany. 

Here are the pros and cons of windup movements.

Pros

• Windup movements are unrivaled when it comes to the quality of the sound. The sound is produced when the hammers strike the chimes rods, bells, or tubes. 
• Windup movements possess a charm that is not found in battery movements. If your clock features glass in the sides you can watch the intricate clockworks strike and keep time. 
• With regular maintenance, windup movements generally last longer and are more reliable than battery movements. 

Cons 

• Windup movements are more expensive up front when compared to battery movements. 
• While not requiring the replacement of batteries, windup movements should be cleaned and oiled by a professional clock repair technician every 3-5 years. 
• Windup movements do not have a volume control feature, and some windup movements used in wall and mantel clocks do not have the option to silence the chimes.
• Windup movements do not offer many chime tune options when compared to battery-operated movements

Mechanical Movements and Features

There are many models of windup movements available. Here we’ll introduce some of the most common mechanical movements used in Amish clocks. 

Hermle 130 Series Wall or Mantel Clock Movement

This is an 8 day movement (meaning it can go 8 days between windings) with double bells and a strike mechanism. It will strike once on the half-hour and strike out the hours but it will not play a chime tune.

Hermle 130 Series Features

• 3″ Deep Including Handshaft
• Delivers a crisp, clear ring. Twin hammers and bells of solid brass give this fine German movement its exceptional tone clarity.
• It strikes out the hours and strikes once on the half-hours.
• Comes with Adjustable, Front Mounting Brackets and Winding Key
• Maximum Dial Thickness, 1/4″
• No Silence Lever

Hermle 130 Series Audio

We will post audio for this movement when it becomes available

Hermle 131 series wall or mantel clock movement

The photos below show the Hermle 131 sold as a pre-mounted kit with a beautiful 4″ brass rim, dial, and premounted hands. This movement is featured in the MC-606 Mantel Clock.

Hermle 131 Series Features

• 8-day, 1/2 half hour double bell strikes out the hours and once on the halfhour
• Brass pendulum with 111/16″ bob
• Kit includes movement with dial and hands installed, wooden seat board with pillars, pendulum, winding key and mounting hardware
• 5-3/8″ handshaft to tip of pendulum
• 2-3/4″ overall depth
• 4″ overall width
• 9″ overall height

Hermle 131 Series Audio

We will post audio for this movement when it becomes available

Hermle 141 series wall or mantel clock movement

A few versions of this movement (also known as a bim-bam movement) come with a 14 day key-wind feature which means that the clock can go 14 days between windups.

Hermle 141 Series Features

Hermle 141-030

• 14-day Keywind
• Strikes out the hours and once on the half hour
• Front mounting
• Rear mounting available upon request
• 4″ deep including handshaft (141-030)
• Comes with: Hands, key, 3-Rod Gong, Pendulum, and Mounting Hardware

Hermle 141-041

• Add the rich, distinctive sound of a coil gong to any clock with this 14-day key-wind movement
• 13″ from hand shaft to tip of pendulum
• 4-1/4″ deep including hand shaft
• Strikes out the hours and once on the half hours
• Comes with hands, key, gong, brass pendulum and mounting hardware

Hermle 141-010

• 8-day Spring Driven
• 4 hammers below movement
• Front mounting
• 3-1/2″ deep including hand shaft
• Comes with hands, key gong, short pendulum and mounting hardware

Hermle 141 Series Audio

We will post audio for this movement when it becomes available

Hermle 241 Series Wall Clock Movement

This is a unique chain and weight driven Bim-Bam movement that’s ideal for a wall clock. While most weights shown in wall clocks are for decorative purposes only, this movement features real weights that power the clock.

Hermle 241 Series Features

• 8-day chain/weight driven
• 1/2 hour Bim-Bam strike
• Strikes out the hours and once on the half hour
• Bottom mounting movement
• Front mounting 3-rod gong
• Rear mounting gong available upon request
• 4″ deep including handshaft
• Comes with hands, gong, weights, Lyre pendulum and mounting hardware

Hermle 241 Series Audio

We will post audio for this movement when it becomes available

Hermle 340 Series Mantel Clock Movement

This movement features a Westminster chime and a floating balance for time regulation instead of a pendulum. This makes it ideal for mantel clocks.

Hermle 340 Series Features

• 8 Day Westminster Chime
• Floating balance unit instead of a short pendulum
• Front Mounting
• Comes with hands, key, gong, short pendulum and mounting hardware
• 3-5/8″ deep including handshaft

Hermle 340 Series Audio

We will post audio for this movement when it becomes available

Hermle 341 Series Wall or Mantel Clock Movement

The two movements shown below are essentially the same movements apart from the length of the pendulum. The shorter pendulum version is ideal for mantel clocks, and the longer pendulum version is best used in wall clocks.

Hermle 341 Series Features

• 8 Day Westminster Chime
• Front Mounting
• 3-1/2″ Deep Including handshaft
• 7-1/2″ or 9-3/4″ chime rods (wall clock version)
• Comes with hands, key, gong, brass pendulum and mounting hardware

Hermle 341 Series Audio

We will post audio for this movement when it becomes available

Hermle 351 Series Wall Clock Movement

The Hermle 351 series movement is a Westminster chime movement that is ideal for wall clocks. The 050 version of this movement features auto night shutoff and the 850 version features real weights.

Hermle 351 Series Features

Hermle 351-030

• 8 Day Westminster Chime
• Rear Mounting
• 13″ Chime Rods beside Movement
• 17″ from Handshaft to tip of Pendulum
• 4″ Deep including handshaft
• Comes with hands, key, gong, lyre pendulum and mounting hardware

Hermle 351-050

• 8 Day Westminster Chime
• Automatic Night Silencer
• Seat Board Mounting
• Choose 14″ or 19-3/4″ Chime Rods
• 17″ from Handshaft to tip of Pendulum
• 5-1/2″ Deep including Handshaft
• Comes with hands, key, gong, lyre pendulum and mounting hardware

Hermle 351-850

• 8 Day Westminster Chime
• Seat Board Mounting
• 26″ Chime Rods behind movement
• 32″ Handshaft to tip of pendulum
• 6-3/4″ Deep including Handshaft
• Lyre Pendulum with 5-1/2″ Bob
• Comes with hands, winding key, pendulum, gong, brass weights and mounting hardware

Hermle 351 Series Audio

We will post audio for this movement when it becomes available

Hermle 451 Series Grandmother Clock Movement

This 8 day chain/weight driven movement is perfect for grandmother clocks due to its smaller size. It has 8 tuned chime rods that play the Westminster tune and strike out the hours.

Hermle 451 Series Features

• COMES COMPLETE WITH: Hands, Gong Unit, Chains, Weights, Mounting Hardware
• Can be fitted with a Moon Dial
• 5-1/2″ Deep including HandShaft
• Lyre Pendulum
• 37-1/2″ Lyre Pendulum length
• 6-1/2″ Bob
• 9-1/4″ Swing

Hermle 451 Series Audio

Hermle 1051 Series Wall or Mantel Clock Movement

The Hermle 1051 8 day movement features a Triple Chime mechanism and can be configured for a wall clock or a mantel clock.

Hermle 1051 Series Features

Hermle 1051-030

• 8 Day Triple Chime
• Rear Mounting
• 17″ from Handshaft to tip of Pendulum
• Plays Westminster, Whittington, and St. Michael’s on the quarter hours and strikes out the time
• 4″ Deep including Handshaft
• Comes with hands, key, gong, lyre pendulum and mounting hardware

Hermle 1051-020

• 8 Day Triple Chime plays Westminster, Whittington and St. Michael’s and strikes out the time
• Easy to regulate pendulum
• Front Mounting
• Comes with hands, key, gong, short pendulum and mounting hardware.
• 3-5/8″ Deep Including Handshaft
• Also available with a floating balance unit instead of a pendulum

Hermle 1051 Series Audio

Hermle 1161 Series Grandfather Clock Movement

The Hermle 1161-853 cable/weight driven movement is our most popular grandfather clock movement. It features a Triple chime song mechanism and an auto-night silencer.

Hermle 1161 Series Features

• 9″ deep including handshaft
• 8 Day Cable Driven
• Triple Chime Grandfather Movement
• This 8 day mechanical movement has 12 Tuned Chime Rods that play your choice of Westminster, Whittington or St. Michael’s melodies. It chimes the quarter hours and strikes out the hours.
• Automatic night silencer
• Comes with Hands, Winding Crank, Gong Unit and Mounting Hardware

Hermle 1161 Series Audio

Hermle 1171 Series Grandfather Clock Movement

The Hermle 1171 series grandfather clock movement is the king of all Hermle movements. It can be used with standard chime rods or with the chime tubes that produce a rich sound.

Hermle 1171 Series Features

Hermle 1171-850

• 9″ Deep Including Handshaft
• 8 Day Cable Drive
• Triple Chime
• This movement is the “Flagship” of 8 day mechanical movements with features that make it the very best value.
• Solid brass extra thick plates for superior wear resistance.
• Automatic beat adjustment.
• Chime silencer & automatic night shutoff.
• Chimes Westminster, Whittington or St. Michael’s progressive melodies on the quarter hours and strikes out the hours.
• Comes with Hands, Gong Unit, Mounting Hardware and Winding Crank

Hermle 1171-890

• 8-1/4″ Deep Including Handshaft
• 8 Day Cable Drive
• 9 Tube Movement
• Hermle’s finest cable driven, tubular chime movement. Each movement is constructed of solid brass, hardened steel pivots and brass brushings. No other Hermle movement offers better quality and features at such an affordable price.
• Cathedral like sound from 9 solid brass chime tubes.
• Chimes Westminster, Whittington or St. Michael’s progressive melodies on the quarter hour or hour strike only.
• Automatic beat adjustment and night silencer between 10 pm and 7 am
• This movement is only available in polished brass

Hermle 1171 Series Audio

We will post more audio for this movement when it becomes available

Kieninger MSU Series Grandfather Clock Movement

The Kieninger MSU is comparable to the Hermle 1161 in quality and features. It is a very popular grandfather clock movement.

Kieninger MSU Series Features

• Triple Chime includes Westminster, St. Michael’s, and Whittington melodies. Plays on the quarter hour and chimes and strikes on the hour.
• Auto night silencer
• 24 hour silent mode
• Weight/cable driven movement

Kieninger MSU Series Audio

Kieninger KSU Series Grandfather Clock Movement

The Kieninger KSU Grandfather clock movement is a top of the line Kieninger movement. It features thicker plates for more resistance to wear.

Kieninger KSU Series Features

• Auto night silencer
• Triple Chime
• Plays Westminster, Whittington, and St. Michael’s chime tunes on the quarter hour and chimes and strikes on the hour.
• Extra thick place for increase resistance to wear results in a longer lasting movement

Kieninger KSU Series Audio

We will post audio for this movement when it becomes available

Windup Movement FAQs

How often should a windup movement be serviced? 

You should expect to service your mechanical windup movement at least every 5 years, more or less depending on conditions. Keep the cabinet doors on your clock closed to prevent dust buildup on the movement. Servicing usually includes oiling and cleaning. Failure to properly maintain a mechanical clock may result in excessive wearing of the moving parts and early failure of the movement. 

How long does a windup movement last? 

The length of the life of a movement will vary depending on conditions and on how well it’s cared for. In general, mechanical movements last around 25 years before they need a replacement or major overhaul.

Still have questions? Contact us and we’ll be happy to help as we are able.

Please note that the sound clips featured on this page are for illustrative purposes only. The actual sound of your clock may vary from the recordings on this page.

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