Frequently asked questions
Questions and answers about your Atmos
Short answers to the questions we hear most often. The individual steps, with short videos, are shown in our instructions.
Operation
Setting, levelling, adjusting
How do I switch my Atmos to summer or winter time?
Wait until the rotating pendulum has swung all the way to the right, then lock the clock. Turn only the minute hand, and always forwards: for winter time (one hour back) that is eleven full turns, for summer time one. Then release the lock slowly.
Never turn the minute hand backwards and do not touch the dial – skin oils leave stains over the years that cannot be removed. With video: Instructions, setting the time.
My Atmos has stopped – what should I do?
Please do not turn the minute hand: when the clock has stopped, the pendulum is still engaged with the pallet fork, which bends easily. Instead, carefully turn the rotating pendulum with your finger by no more than half a turn to the right, lock the clock, set the time and release the lock again.
If it stops again soon afterwards, it probably needs a service. Everything you can check yourself first is in our guide My Atmos has stopped.
How do I level my Atmos without the spirit level – or if the level is wrong?
Many spirit levels are not quite straight or have sunk over the years. In that case, go by the pendulum itself: if your clock has a locking screw in the centre of the base plate, turn the two front feet until the pendulum sits exactly above this screw.
Without a locking screw, look from the side at the lower end of the pendulum, where it passes through a narrow opening in the plate. When the small disc just above the opening is exactly centred, the clock is level. How much this matters: we have seen clocks standing slightly askew gain up to 45 minutes a day. More in the instructions.
My Atmos runs fast or slow – how do I adjust it?
Above the dial there is a small adjusting lever: to the left the clock runs slower, to the right faster. Depending on the model, the stops are marked − and +, s and f (slow, fast) or r and a (retard, avance). One mark corresponds to about 10–15 seconds a day. Adjust in small steps and wait a few days each time.
The ATMOS II has a small wheel instead of the lever: turned to the right it runs slower, to the left faster; one full turn is about 15 seconds a day. If the lever’s range is not enough, centring the adjusting lever helps.
My Atmos stands in a cool room – is that a problem?
If it is constantly below about 16–17 °C, give it a little warmth now and then: lock the clock, place it in a warmer room for a day or two and bring it back. This keeps the winding going. Release the lock slowly afterwards so that the pendulum does not start with a jolt.
Where is the best place for my Atmos?
A quiet, stable place that is as free from vibration as possible. Because the Atmos lives on temperature changes, spots on outside walls are a good choice. Avoid direct sunlight: it attacks the gilding and fades the dial. Setting up step by step: instructions.
Care & service
What the clock needs – and what it does not
Does an Atmos need oiling?
No. Compared with every other clock, the Atmos runs practically without oil. The rotating pendulum takes a whole minute to swing there and back, and the parts mesh so gently that oil improves nothing. On the contrary: oil added afterwards gums up over the years, slows the pendulum and can bring the clock to a standstill.
So please never oil your Atmos yourself. We explain why in Does an Atmos need oil?
When does an Atmos need a service?
There is no fixed rule – it depends very much on location and surroundings. If it stops or runs inaccurately, it is worth having a look. The good news: usually only a service is due, and if the clock has not been mistreated, without spare parts.
What we do, what it costs and how long it takes: Service & Repair.
Can the case be re-gilded?
Yes. On request we gild, nickel-plate, rhodium-plate or silver-plate the case, also together with a service. More under Refinement.
Buying, shipping & age
Before it travels or moves in with you
How old is my Atmos?
The serial number tells you; it is stamped in the centre at the top of the clock. There is no official list; our own serial number register starts in 1930. Simply enter the number in the search of our timeline.
If the search does not find your number, send us a photo of the clock and the serial number – we will determine the model and year for you.
What should I look for when buying a used Atmos?
You buy what you see – look closely at the clock itself or at good photos. Pay particular attention to the corners of the case: stress cracks cannot be repaired. They occur mainly with calibres 528/8 and 519, but not only there.
Check the dial for discolouration and scratches; the gilding should match the age, and many stains suggest little care. Ask about the clock’s history and earlier repairs. Clocks checked in our workshop can be found under For sale.
How do I ship an Atmos safely?
First lock the rotating pendulum completely: wait until it has swung all the way to the right and push the locking lever fully to the right – including past the small resistance at the end, where it clicks into place. If your clock has a locking screw in the centre under the base, tighten it by hand.
Then pack it twice and softly: the clock thickly wrapped in bubble wrap, the bundle in a much larger box, all corners stuffed with soft material, no polystyrene. On request we will send you a padded shipping box, see Service & Repair.
I have an Atmos with calibre 540 – what should I know?
Calibre 540 was built from 1984; it includes models such as the Classic, Elysée, Fontainebleau and Vendôme. Many of these clocks are now 25 to over 40 years old and due for a service. When shipping, the locking lever under the dial is the most common source of damage.
Everything about models, serial numbers and correct locking: The Atmos with calibre 540.
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