The Hermle 340-020 Clock Movement: A Timeless Classic

The Hermle 340-020 clock movement has earned its place as one of the most recognized and widely used clock movements in the world. Known for its reliability, precision, and adaptability, this movement has been a cornerstone in the clock making industry for decades. Let’s delve into its history, explore its features, and examine its global reach.

A Brief History of Hermle Clock Movements:
Franz Hermle  established in 1922 in Gosheim, Germany, quickly became a leading manufacturer of mechanical clock movements. The company’s commitment to innovation and quality made it a dominant player in the clock making industry.
The 340-020 movement was first introduced in the mid-20th century as part of Hermle’s efforts to modernize traditional clock making. Designed to be both versatile and durable, it became a popular choice for mantel clocks, wall clocks, and other timepieces. Its robust design and reliable timekeeping quickly set it apart, making it a preferred choice for clock makers and enthusiasts worldwide.

Key Features of the Hermle 340-020

The Hermle 340-020 movement is an 8-day spring-driven movement, featuring:

1. Chime Options: It offers triple-chime capabilities, allowing users to choose from Westminster, Whittington, and St. Michael chimes. The smooth chime sequencing and rich tones add elegance to any timepiece.
2. Automatic Night Shut-Off: A built-in feature ensures the chime is silenced during nighttime hours, providing convenience and peace for users.
3. Pendulum or Balance Wheel Versions: This movement is available in both pendulum and balance wheel configurations, catering to various clock designs.
4. High-Quality Materials: Hermle uses precision-engineered brass and durable steel components, ensuring longevity and consistent performance.

Numbers Sold and Global Reach The Hermle 340-020 movement has been a global success story, with an estimated millions of units sold worldwide since its introduction. It has been a favorite for:

• Clock manufacturers seeking reliable and versatile movements.
• Hobbyists and restorers working on vintage clocks.
• High-end clock makers producing premium timepieces.

The movement’s popularity spans continents, with significant adoption in Europe, North America, and Asia. Its combination of precision engineering and accessibility has made it a universal standard in the industry.

Why the 340-020 
The enduring appeal of the Hermle 340-020 lies in its perfect balance of traditional craftsmanship and modern functionality. It’s a movement that embodies the best of Hermle’s legacy while meeting the needs of contemporary clock enthusiasts.
Whether you’re a seasoned clock maker or a collector, the Hermle 340-020 movement offers unmatched reliability and a timeless connection to the art of horology. Its history and widespread use underscore its significance as a true classic in the world of clocks.

Care and Maintenance:
Although, the Hermle 340-020 is a workhorse of a movement, reliable and precise, like all mechanical machines, they do require maintenance and service on a regular basis.  The Hermle 340-020 is manufactured in Germany and shipped all over the world. Although they are oiled and tested prior to shipping, during the shipping is where the problems start.  A clock movement has what is called an oil bushing.  this is where a small amount of clock oil sits to oil a moving clock movement. All is fine, as long as the clock is running and the clock oil is being drawn up and oiling the pivot.  Once a clock movement sits for awhile, the oil will pool up at the bottom of the bushing and eventually run out, especially if the movement is not sitting upright in its case.  When a clock manufacturer like the Howard Miller Clock Company receives the 340-020, they will re-oil the movement prior to installing it into the clock case, then ship it to a retail store or directly to someone who has purchased it on-line.  However, if a person was to purchase a Hermle 340-020 directly from a store or the internet, they will receive it dry, with little, if any clock oil in the bushings.  Not knowing this, the receiver of the Hermle 340-020 will install the movement, start it up and let it run, thinking all is good, only to have it worn out within a few years. These movements, like all mechanical clock movements require servicing and cleaning.  Learning to service, clean and oil a clock movement yourself is not all that difficult.

At Horace Whitlock Oil Company, we provide a free downloadable file that will show you step by step how to clean and re-oil a clock movement like the Herle 340-020. 
With all this said, if you are changing out an old Hermle 340-020 with a newer one, we highly suggest you download this file and perform all the necessary steps prior to installing your new Hermle 340-020 movement. 

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