A James McCabe Bracket Clock and George Burgess Clock Movement
Bracket clocks, named after the special shelves on which they were often mounted, are some of the finest examples of english clockmaking that exist today. With beautifuly engraved spring-driven fusee movements, carefully constructed cases and clear, easy to read dial they are always high quality objects.
At Harris Horology, our fine technical ability means no clock is too worn out or too complex, and our fully equipped studio can tackle any kind of repair. From a routine service all the way up to a complete restoration, we draw on our museum experience and practice to keep as much character and charm as possible while ensuring all clocks are returned working reliably as they should. With a range of experience with recoil or verge escapements, striking or chiming and any type of complication such as pull-repeat work or alarms, we are experts when it comes to taking care of these wonderful clocks.
A large percentage of our work is on heirloom items - those inherited from an earlier generation, and we work hard to bring them back to life while keeping the object's soul intact. No major visual changes or no over-polished cases, just the clock working as it used to decades ago. Read examples of our clock repairs on our blog here.
As standard procedure, all clocks are dismantled down to their individual components before meticulous and thorough cleaning. This allows us to assess and carry out any standard repairs such as pivot polishing or bushing; if we find any major wear or damage, we will quote for the additional work required to remedy this. If the fusees use them, gut lines are always replaced with a strong, synthetic modern reproduction equivalent to ensure clocks look correct while giving security to the strong springs. We don’t use ugly steel wire!
For more general clock repair information click here.
We also have the skills and expertise to take on any restoration work if it is required - bracket clocks often have damaged or worn cases due to their complex construction and delicate filigree sections. We work with an expert furniture restorer who can lovingly bring wooden cases back to life while taking great care to keep the character that makes these objects so beautiful, be it deep ebony or delicate tortoiseshell veneer.
When more extreme repair and restoration work is required, we’re able to manufacture components like gathering pallets, racks or pendulum hooks in-house. Carefully cut replacements to fretwork can be made in both wood and brass, matching the original or based on research and similar objects.
We are even able to make replacement hands for bracket clocks, delicately shaped and polished before heat-treating to a rich blue colour, these can be made to replace damaged hands or designed from research when poor replacements have been fitted in the past.
We are experienced working with clocks from all ages and any complexity, from a 20th-century timepiece to a complicated grande sonnerie; get in touch with us as repair is almost always possible.
If you have a bracket clock and have ever been told that it isn’t worth repairing or that parts aren’t available, look no further. Don’t just look for ‘english bracket clock repair near me’, look for repair from a skilled business who cares. You can read more about our repair services here.
Harris Horology is only open by appointment - please initially contact us for an initial discussion about your watch and make an appointment here to bring your clock in to our Brixton studio.
Contact us here for a repair quote.
More about repairs
saving inherited treasures
Many of our customers have been told before that their clock can’t be fixed, parts are not available, or that poor repairs from the past are preventing a fix. We’ve seen it all before and parts can almost always be sourced or even made where required by our horologists in our fully equipped workshop.
Clocks worth repairing
We’ve serviced and repaired bracket clocks from all walks of life, ranging from retirement gifts to wedding presents or generations-old family heirlooms. We treat all clocks with the same care and attention no matter their value or history: they’re all worth caring for.
bracket Clock Repairs Near Me
The closest isn’t always the best. Do you research and make sure you find a skilled horologist who cares about the work they do. We are committed to quality and offer a 24-month warranty after a service; we are trusted by both private customers and large institutions.
Contact us here for a repair quote.
Reviews
Don’t just take our word for it, trust our fantastic clients. These quotes are taken from our Google reviews:
“It is now a while since I collected my Barwise bracket clock from Harris Horology after a complete clean and refurbishment. In this time, the clock has run faultlessly, keeping accurate time (unprecedented till now). I can only praise the meticulous work done to achieve this, giving a clock made 200 years ago a new lease of life.”
“James repaired a very old and extremely precious wall clock, an heirloom that came with a huge amount of emotional weight, in addition to its financial value. He made a first rate job, his communication and pricing was clear and very reasonable, and he was flexible with regard to the fact I don’t drive. He was also kind and personable to deal with, and I intend to use him in the future. I wholeheartedly recommend him - thank you for a wonderful job.”
“I have taken a selection of watches and clocks for repair since I heard of James Harris from a friend. The quality of service is superb. James is a dedicated and immensely skilful craftsman, and the whole operation at Cornerstone Studios is immaculately organised and executed. Above all, he and his staff clearly care immensely about his work and the results are well worth the cost - especially in the restoration of old and valued family pieces. Such expertise, as well as the personal involvement, is rare to find these days, and I recommend Harris Horology most strongly.”
“I recently sent an old French clock here to be repaired. It has been in my wife’s family for a long time and no one can remember it working. James took the clock, repaired, cleaned and tested it. It was a professional and fantastic job and now keeps excellent time. Just the trip to the workshop is an interesting and rewarding experience in itself as the pace is exactly as you would imagine a clock repair shop to be. I fully recommend this service by people who care and really know what they are doing.”
Bracket Clock Repair and owners FAqs
How often should an antique fusee bracket clock be serviced?
To safeguard the movement against accelerated wear, a mechanical bracket clock should be professionally cleaned and lubricated every 5 to 10 years. Over time, specialised horological oils break down and attract microscopic airborne dust, transforming into an abrasive grinding paste. Running a heavy fusee train without active lubrication scores the steel pivots and tears open the brass pivot holes in the plates, leading to severe geometry issues and expensive restoration requirements down the line. After servicing, Harris Horology guarantees their work for 24 months.
What is the difference between a verge escapement and an anchor escapement in a bracket clock?
A verge escapement is the earliest mechanical design; it is easily identified by the descriptively named crown wheel at the top of the movement, and a short pendulum with a large amplitude. Verge clocks are highly sensitive to level positioning and have a distinct, energetic tick. An anchor (or recoil) escapement is a later, more efficient 18th-century development that allows for a narrower pendulum swing and superior daily accuracy. Many verge clocks were converted to recoil escapements in the Victorian times, as this was seen as an upgrade. Our workshop is fully accredited to adjust, tooth-index, and regulate both styles of historic escapements.
Can you repair a bracket clock that has stopped striking or chimes out of sequence?
Absolutely, yes. Though it's most common for a clock to stop due to dirt, dust and wear and tear, it's also common to see issues caused by a warning piece binding, bent lifting levers, or a misaligned gathering pallet failing to lock into the rack teeth. Because striking and chiming functions rely on precise mechanical synchronisation across separate gear trains, they require careful adjustment and setup. We can fully service, rebuild, and set up countwheel strikes, rack-and-snail systems, and complex quarter-striking grande sonnerie complications.