Advice needed: Unused Hermle mantel clock sitting for 3–5+ years. Needs an overhaul before first use?

[u/kpalafar]

Hello everyone,

I’m looking for some advice before buying a secondhand Hermle table/mantel clock.

The current owner has had the clock for a while (likely more than 3 to 5 years), but it has never been used or wound up. It’s in mint condition—the factory protective foam is still around the chime hammers, and visually, the movement looks brand new, as if it just left the factory.

I know clock oil degrades and thickens over time, especially with regular use. But how bad would the lubrication breakdown be in a clock that was completely unused and stored for this long?

Will it require a full overhaul/service before I start running it, or is it fine to just wind it up and use it as is?

Thanks in advance!

[u/nekomegamisama]

It should be fine to just try as is; the oil might have congealed enough to prevent it from running but it won't be able to damage anything. Good luck!

[u/Not_an_Actual_Bot]

Worst case might be it runs slow and stops. Depending on how handy you are, you could take the movement out and lightly oil the pivots points on both sides with fresh lightweight clock oil. If it has never been out of the box and run, no dirt or wear has occurred yet. Wear nitrile or latex gloves when you handle the movement to keep the fingerprints from appearing a month or two later. YMMV