QUARTER HOUR REPEATERS:
The quarter hour repeaters of the small brass and glass french clock type will
almost always have a button on top to push that activates the strike. If it has a button
on top it is most certainly a genuine repeater. A true repeater does not have a warning pin or a lock position before it strikes. when it trips it releases that is it. One of the
reasons for this design is so that the repeat button will work at almost any time . If
there were a lock position , the repeat button would not work when the strike was in the
lock mode. These are extremely complex devices and are some of the highest quality
timepieces ever made. Be VERY careful when you work on one of these. They are extremely valuable. The steel in these mechanisms is hardened and is very brittle. Pivots will snap if you are not careful. Be sure to observe these clocks carefully and make drawings or take pictures before you take one apart. If watch all the actions. Know the quarter hour sequence. one at the quarter hour, two strikes at the half hour, 3 at the 3/4 hour and 4 at the hour. It counts the hour at each 15 minute interval. There are variations on this sequence; so be sure to carefully check out each clock before you take it apart.