Why you should NEVER move a grandfather clock with the weights still attached.
TL;DR Moving a grandfather clock with the weights or pendulum hanging will shred the internal suspension spring, snap the cables, and crack the case. Strip the clock bare before it even touches a moving truck.
A lot of people inherit an absolute masterpiece—like a vintage Howard Miller or a classic Ridgeway—and treat it like an ordinary piece of heavy furniture. They hire generic movers or local antique stores to haul it across town, completely intact.
Please don't do this.
When you leave the weights and pendulum swinging inside the case during transit, you are essentially letting a wrecking ball loose inside a fragile instrument. The slightest pothole will cause the pendulum to snap the delicate suspension spring or twist the escapement completely out of alignment. Even worse, if a heavy cable snaps, those solid brass weights will drop straight through the bottom of your historical wood case.
Before moving any mechanical clock, you must follow a strict lockdown protocol:
- Stop the movement: Let the clock run completely down so there is no tension on the mainspring or cables.
- Remove the weights: Crank them up slightly, use cotton gloves to handle the brass, unhook them, and label them (Left, Center, Right—they are calibrated differently!).
- Secure the cables: Insert foam blocks or tightly wound bubble wrap above the pulleys to keep the cables from tangling or jumping the drum.
- Remove the pendulum: Carefully unhook it from the suspension unit and wrap it separately.
If a local moving company or a general watch repair shop tells you they can "just wrap it up and go," run away.
We see the aftermath of botched DIY moves all the time at DFW Clocks. Our master clocksmiths regularly have to completely rebuild Hermle movements and replace shattered components because of a 10-minute transport mistake. If you are in the North Texas area and don't want to risk destroying a family heirloom, give our team a call at 817-681-4567.
For the collectors here: What’s the absolute worst "mover horror story" you’ve ever witnessed with a mechanical clock?
Posted Jun 4, 2026, 4:34 PM UTC