i've bought a beautiful wall clock with a westminster mechanism, the problem i have is it was already wound when i purchased it. it starts ticking if i set the pendulum swinging but stops after about 30 seconds, it still chimes and if i keep the pendulum swinging the hands do move

martin, October 2008

Assuming the tick is even (ie the tick tock is not lopsided), your clock needs a service (ie a complete strip down, clean, oil & rebuild. Possibly the spings may need replacing if they have grown weak

Steve E, October 2008