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Broken clock

Rgarner

Android Expert
Surprise, it fell off the wall when the door was slammed. I know it's a cheap Sterling and Noble from walmart, but how did the hands fall off the face? At least they're held on by the plastic cover. Can it be repaired?
 
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When the hands of a Sterling & Noble clock fall off, loose, or drop to the 6 o'clock position, it is usually because the friction-fit tension has slipped. Because these clocks use simple quartz movements, the hands are just pressed onto a central pin and can loosen over time or during battery changes.
You can usually fix this yourself in a few minutes without buying new parts.

️ Step-by-Step Repair Guide

1. Open the Clock Case
  • Remove the battery before starting to avoid damaging the motor gears.
  • Locate the screws on the back cover of the clock frame.
  • Use a small Phillips-head screwdriver to remove them and carefully lift off the front glass or plastic lens.

2. Check for Damage
  • Examine the hour, minute, and second hands.
  • Ensure they are not bent or warped. If they are slightly bent and hitting each other, gently straighten them with your fingers so they can pass each other cleanly.

3. Reset and Tighten the Hands
Quartz clock hands must be pressed onto the center post in a specific order: Hour hand first, then Minute hand, then Second hand.
  1. Align to 12:00: Slide the hour hand onto the widest part of the center shaft and point it exactly at the 12. Press firmly near the center hole (not the tip) until it sits tight.
  2. Add the Minute Hand: Press the minute hand onto the next tier of the shaft, also pointing exactly at the 12.
  3. Secure the Cap/Second Hand: If your clock has a second hand, press it onto the tiny pin in the very center. If it doesn't have a second hand, there will be a small cap nut—screw or press this nut back on tightly to lock the minute and hour hands down.

4. Test the Clearance
  • Spin the manual adjustment wheel on the back of the movement box to watch the hands go through a full 12-hour cycle.


  • Verify that the hands remain perfectly parallel to the clock face and do not touch each other or the background.
  • Reassemble the glass lens, screw the case back together, and reinsert the battery.


 
I guess the screws are hiding in those two bulges to the side. The battery compartment is evidently detachable, as these photos show. I'm not sure why there is a little wheel/dial on it, probably to change the time setting.
 

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