We’ve been asked many times over the last couple of years if a clock can still chime after conversion to a modern quartz movement. The answer was always NO. The reason was – there were some chiming movements out there but they were just too “tinny” and sounded well .. pretty horrid. Not anymore – these new Seiko movements with Westminster Chimes are very realistic – a lovely deep mellow sound that’s hard to decide if it’s “real” or not.
Chiming Slate Clock with Pendulum “tick”
A recent example of a lovely Slate Mantel Clock sympathetically converted to Quartz. As always – the original hands have been adapted to fit the new Seiko movement. Dummy solid brass winders have been installed so the clock doesn’t suffer with two big empty holes where the winders used to be. In short – this clock looks and SOUNDS like it always has done. The pendulum TICK/TICK is another bonus if people want to hear it – if not – simple lock it over to the side for silent time-keeping. This wonderful movement even has a VOLUME dial and a “night mode” – silent from 11pm to 6am. If you want to learn more about this movement – please read these Seiko Westminster Chiming Clock INSTRUCTIONS. If you are having problem synchronising the precise hourly chime setting – watch this video
First Customer Commission with Westminster Chimes
I was really pleased when I received an email from a potential client with a traditional “Napolean Hat” clockwork Mantel Clock (this was in 2023). The movement was damaged beyond economical repair and the customer wanted to see if we could a) convert it to quartz and b) resurrect the chimes. The results can be seen in the videos and photos on this page. Since then I have installed this lovely sounding Seiko Quartz movement in dozens of mantel clocks – and it always get’s great customer feedback.
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Chiming Clock Conversion No2
Another customer commission. This very pretty Italian clock had been “repaired” numerous times and the customer was fed up throwing money down a hole. The result – another happy customer and a successful conversion. Again – this is the Seiko movement with Westminster chimes (and Bim Bam Chimes – not my thing). The beauty of these movements is they have a VOLUME dial and a NIGHT OFF option.
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Full Clock Makeover – Chiming example No3
Another clock transformed from an unwanted brown wood column clock to a contemporary piece of wall art. The customer wanted the clock to keep some of it’s sentimental value by recycling the dial, hands and pendulum – but that’s all. This was a pretty tricky conversion. I had to make some FAUX brass winders for the winding holes, convert the hands to fit the modern Seiko movement and even route out 8 mm depth at the back to accommodate the movement. The pendulum had to be shortened – I’d rather have kept the original length, but even using a SEPARATE pendulum drive the original was just too long and heavy. The Seiko Westminster chimes are brilliant. The result, we think, is a lovely looking modern clock. The natural edge Olive wood contemporary backplate in a lovely contrast to the vintage hands and dial.
Berfore and After of this Wall Clock
The clock on the LEFT is the original wooden case wall clock with carved spindle / columns. There’s a lot of people out there who would love to keep this clock “as is” – fair enough. I could have simply converted it to battery and you wouldn’t have noticed the difference. But this customer wanted something clean and modern. From a sentimental perspective – the clock still retains it’s family history through the dial, hands and pendulum.
Looks and SOUNDS the same as it did 60 years ago
The clockwork to quartz conversion went really well from start to finish. The hands were reworked so they could fit the Euro Fitting of the Seiko quartz movement. “Fake” winders were made to fill the holes were spring barrels used to be. The aim with this conversion is the same as all the other one’s – to give the clock back to the customer looking just like it used to. We don’t want to stick cheap plastic or painted tin hands on, or change the dial for a new Chinese version. We want to maintain the patina and provenance of the clock (unless the customer wants us to give it a FULL MAKEOVER that is).
Seiko Westminster Chimes – Instructions
Please click this link for instructions on the Seiko Westminster Chiming movement.
Fine Tuning – for Hourly Synchronisation
If you have bought one of these Seiko Chiming movements and you are struggling to get the chime pattern synchronised with the precise hour please watch this video. It’s a simple trick whereby the time adjustment dial is held firmly in place while you gently force (against the friction of the clutch) the minute hand to the exact 12 o’clock position.
Do it yourself Clock Conversion Kits
Do you want to try it yourself — how hard can it be? Converting a clock to a Westminster chiming quartz movement can be done as a DIY project, but there are several important factors to consider before starting. Correct shaft length is critical and depends on the dial thickness and any existing spacers, while redundant winding arbour holes in the dial must be dealt with neatly once the mechanical movement is removed.
Original hands will often require careful adaptation to fit the quartz shaft, and the new movement must be securely mounted to prevent misalignment or unwanted vibration. If you’d like to attempt the conversion yourself, we supply the genuine Seiko Westminster chiming quartz movement from our online SHOP — ensuring you start with the correct, high-quality component for the job.
DIY Quartz Clock Parts & Movements
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3mm Rubber Spacer for Quartz Movements
£2.50 -
Centre Seconds Hand Caps 6mm -10mm
Price range: £1.00 through £3.00 -
Hand Conversion Service – Conversion to EF or NEF
£35.00 -
Rubber Washer / Spacer for UTS Quartz Movements
£1.50 -
Seiko Westminster Chiming Clock Movement (with Pendulum drive)
£64.99 -
Seiko Westminster Chiming Quartz Clock Movement
£59.99 -
UTS High Torque Quartz Clock Movements
£10.99 -
UTS Quartz Clock Movements
£8.99
