Why Would a Wind Up Clock Run Only When it Is at an Angle?

Pendulum Clock Basics

• The only type of wind-up clock affected by its angle is a pendulum clock, which relies on gravity and a swinging pendulum to regulate its movement. Wind-up wristwatches or pocket watches don’t have pendulums so they run the same regardless of their angle. Pendulum clocks that are running properly need to be plumb, or perfectly vertical, for the pendulum to swing at an even pace.

Running at an Angle

• A clock that is out of beat may be able to run normally when positioned at an angle. In most cases this angle is slight and involves placing a spacer under one side of a freestanding clock or adjusting a wall clock by sliding it slightly on its hanger so that it isn't plumb. The pendulum, which is still affected by gravity in the same way, will return to a regular rhythm when the angle is right. This is only a temporary solution to a larger problem, however.

Out of Beat

• A pendulum clock can be out of beat for a number of reasons. Anything that stops the clock's movement from running normally can make it go out of beat. This includes corrosion in the clock's movement, an obstruction in the gears or hands that are bent and rub against the clock's dial. A pendulum that is the wrong size or imbalanced will also cause a clock to be out of beat. A clock that won't run for an extended period of time because of a problem with its spring or weights shouldn't be out of beat unless there is a separate cause.

Diagnosis and Repair

• There are two easy ways to determine that a clock is out of beat. The first is that you may be able to tilt the clock at an angle and get it to run properly. The other is an uneven tick-tock sound as the clock runs, with one portion of the cycle lasting longer than the other. Repairing the problem depends on its source. It may be as simple as replacing or bending the clock's hands away from the dial, or cleaning and oiling the movement. In other cases, the clock may need a new pendulum that is the right weight and evenly balanced.