Setting the Calendar and Time on your Mechanical Chiming Clock

On the back side of the dial you will find three control levers:

  • Behind the 9:00 position: Chime shutoff lever
  • Behind the 3:00 position (rear lever): Automatic night shutoff
  • Behind the 3:00 position (front lever): Date advance lever

Please follow the procedure below carefully when setting or restarting the clock.

Step-by-Step Procedure

  1. Move the minute hand COUNTER-clockwise until both the hour and minute hands point straight downward at 6:30.
  2. Use the date advance lever to move the date to one day before the current date.
    (Example: If today is the 12th, advance the date to the 11th.)
  3. Carefully move the minute hand CLOCKWISE to the next quarter-hour mark. Allow the clock to finish chiming completely. Then temporarily turn the chime OFF using the lever behind the 9:00.
  4. With the chime disengaged, continue advancing the minute hand CLOCKWISE without stopping. Move the hands forward until the date changes to the current date. This should occur sometime between the 12:00 and 3:00 AM position.
  5. Once the date changes, you know the clock is set in the AM cycle. You may now advance the hands to the correct time.

    • If it is 9:00 AM, move directly to 9:00.
    • If it is 9:00 PM, continue advancing past 12:00 noon and onward to 9:00 PM.
  6. After the correct time is set, re-engage the chime lever.

Important Winding Reminder

Keep all three winding arbors fully wound. Do not worry about “overwinding” — modern mechanical clocks are equipped with safety mechanisms that prevent damage from overwinding.



Here you'll find a treasure trove of historical perspectives that have inspired many of our exquisite products. From the intricate designs to the rich cultural influences, each article will take you on a journey through time and craftsmanship. In addition to revisiting these fascinating stories, we will also provide valuable insights on how to use, care for, and maintain our products to ensure they last a lifetime.

Further Reading list:
Longitude by Dava Sobel
The Turk by Tom Standage
Black Forest Clockmaker and the Cuckoo Clock by Karl Kochmann
Black Forest Clocks by Rick Ortenburger
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Connections by James Burke
Rare and Unusual Black Forest Clocks by Justin Miller