How To Repair My George Nelson Clock

Monk E. H.

Messages: 5459
Location: U.S. Midwest
Registered: March 2007

George Nelson ball clock by Vitra

Tue, 07 May 2019 18:02

I own a George Nelson ball clock, produced by Vitra, powered by a quartz movement. Once in a while, it loses time or just stops inexplicably. I reset it and tap on the movement, and it runs fine . . . until it doesn't.

Question no. 1: It looks likes the movement is a IEC R6. Can anyone confirm that is the movement?

Question no. 2: Considering relatively high cost of the clock and the low cost of an IEC R6, should I just buy a cased new movement and replace the old movement case (including the movement)?

Question no. 3: If any of you has done this before, do you have any tips or advice?

Thanks.

De gustibus non est disputandum.

Machiel Kalf		Messages: 4386 Location: Holland Registered: December 2003
Hallo, Beside the fact that this forum is specific for watches, I think that not many of "us" (the readers in general) know what type of clock this is. Can you show us a photo? A well known problem with the quartz movements are the electric contacts with the battery. Machiel.

Monk E. H.		Messages: 5459 Location: U.S. Midwest Registered: March 2007
Beside the fact that this forum is specific for watches Sorry about that. I only posted a query on this forum because I was told to do by someone on the PF. I think that not many of "us" (the readers in general) know what type of clock this is. Can you show us a photo? Here are some photos of the clock and the movement case: A well known problem with the quartz movements are the electric contacts with the battery. So you're suggesting that the metal contacts might simply be too "loose"? Thanks.

darrell42		Messages: 181 Location: USA Registered: December 2003
Hi, From my bookmarks, you might try these web sites. I would guess you want a "High Torque" movement, as this appears to be a fairly large clock, with long hands. You may need to make sure the holes in the hands match the diameter of the arbors they need to mount on. Regards, Darrell https://www.clockparts.com/clock-movements-motors/ https://www.clockworks.com/clock-movement/quartz-clock-movements-time-only.html https://www.klockit.com/all-departments/quartz-clock-movements.html

darrell42		Messages: 181 Location: USA Registered: December 2003
I forgot to mention that "IEC R6" is the designation for AA size batteries. I think the movement number might be in the upper left corner on the back of the movement, I can't make out what is embossed there in the images. Regards, Darrell

David Dahlgren		Messages: 103 Registered: April 2019
I'm no expert but I have some experience with quartz wall clocks. For what it's worth, my suggestion would be to replace the movement; they aren't that expensive and this is a relatively simple one. Some have pendulums and chimes, etc. A good supplier should have the movement you need in stock. Dave

Machiel Kalf		Messages: 4386 Location: Holland Registered: December 2003
Hallo Dave, That's fine to me, but I think it's not easy to find a sponsor for that. On the other hand you need some people who keep a professional eye on it.........and have the time to do a good job. Machiel.

Machiel Kalf		Messages: 4386 Location: Holland Registered: December 2003
Hallo Darrell and others, Thanks for your fantastic support. I think this will solve the problem. Movements like this have "plastic" gears, incl. the pivots and bearings........ that's not a guarantee for a long life. Success, Machiel.

SteveW		Messages: 2420 Location: Terra Registered: November 2003
They have an active web site complete with service telephone numbers. If the clock is not old they might send you a replacement; that kind of movement is not hugely expensive.

Monk E. H.		Messages: 5459 Location: U.S. Midwest Registered: March 2007
you might check out this article: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/george-nelson-ball-clock-vitra And yes, it's on a news site for watch collectors. De gustibus non est disputandum.

chingharwong		Messages: 1 Location: London Registered: February 2021
Hi I'm looking to change the Quartz movement in my clock but I can't figure out how to remove the old one. I've removed the clock handles and have tried twisting it off but it doesn't twist very far because the 2 'arms' at the back are in the way. I've also tried pulling it off but that doesn't work either. I came across this thread whilst Googling for help, and wondered if you could offer any advice? I'd very much appreciate it. Thanks Ching

ozone2600		Messages: 1 Registered: June 2021
I have a Nelson Eye Clock which looks like it has the same quartz movement, and am also trying to replace it. Has anyone figured this out? Pictures below show the front with the hands removed and the quartz movement.

vandyloaf

Messages: 1
Location: USA
Registered: December 2021

Re: George Nelson ball clock by Vitra

Thu, 09 December 2021 13:56

I finally solved this puzzle today with a few hours of work and want to save the effort for the next in line. Here goes:

I bought a replacement quartz movement for my wife's Nelson ball clock, seemingly identical to the one posted in photo from Monk E.H., here:

https://www.dansclockshop.com/category/id/uts-euroshaft-standard-movements

The size I required was the 16 mm shaft length. $20.69 shipped from UK to USA. The manufacture brand of this movement is "U.T.S." The style is called Euroshaft. Dan's Clock Shop sells them in 5 different shaft lengths. You have to measure to figure out what you need. They also carry high torque UTS movements for clocks with longer hands.

Two very helpful youtube videos are here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QXvqxcZm2cU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJLYJZiaseo

In the first photo posted by ozone2600, with the hands removed, you can clearly see what is called a collar nut (brass part around the plastic shaft with two slots on opposite sides). Removing that nut, as shown in the 2nd youtube link above, will release the movement from the clock, which I think is the problem that's hanging up chingharwong.

Sorry to commandeer your watch forum with all this, but I hope it helps somebody! Good luck.

Jon