How To Reset a Seth Thomas Mantle Clock

Insert the winding key into the winding arbor of the Seth Thomas mantel clock. The winding arbor is one of the small holes on the face of the clock. The correct key should fit exactly into the winding arbor.

Turn the key gently a short distance to the right or to the left. Not all Seth Thomas mantel clocks wind in the same direction. If there is tension when you turn the key one way, then it is being wound in the wrong direction. Find the direction in which the key turns freely.

Continue turning the winding key in the proper direction. Wind the Seth Thomas mantel clock until the key becomes difficult to turn. Withdraw the winding key from the winding arbor.

Use your hand to gently move the hour hand to the correct hour. If the hour hand is difficult to move, do not force it; switch to the minute hand and use the minute hand to set both the hours and minutes.

Move the minute hand clockwise to the correct time. Never move the minute hand counterclockwise or the clock may break. If the hour hand will not move freely, continue turning the minute hand through each hour. Each time the minute hand passes the 12, it will advance the hour hand.

Use your hand to start the pendulum swinging once the Seth Thomas mantel clock has been set to the right time. The pendulum should be located in the back of the clock. The clock will not keep time if the pendulum is not moving.