Howard Miller 630-260 Bradley Mantel Clock

Second update: I have returned the second clock. The chimes simply do not work properly. They are not tuned correctly! They do not play the tunes properly. The authorized Howard Miller repair shop has a six month waiting list for repairs. I left the clock for about a month. I finally decided to pick the clock up and return it. I paid $425 on a warehouse deal. I want a winding clock that chimes, that works. I don't want to wait 6 months for repairs. I have returned TWO Bradley clocks that do not work. The repairman told me Howard Miller used to make good clocks. He said he does not sell the new ones in his store.I am disappointed.Original review: I purchased two of these Howard Miller Bradley 630-260 Mantel clocks and a third clock, a Howard Miller Hadley clock. This review is about the two Bradley clocks.The two clocks are not the same color. I will attach a collage picture and a side by side picture. One is considerably darker than the other.The darker clock has cabinet manufacturing issues in several places. It also has a higher gloss finish than the lighter colored clock. BOTH ARE THE SAME MODEL. The color difference is unacceptable in a limited edition clock of only 2,000 clocks. Pictures attached.I have wound both clocks. The chimes are not working properly on either clock. I have read the manual TWICE trying to trouble shoot on my own. The manual is NOT item specific. It is for all Howard Miller mechanical mantel clocks. I would have thought a limited edition clock would have merited its own users manual. Nope.These clocks all have individual serial numbers. The first three numbers and last four numbers appear to be the same for this model. The four numbers sandwiched between must identify the specific clock. These two clocks are: 1668 and 1672. I assume my clocks are number 1668 and 1672 of the 2000 made. I did not receive a certificate of authenticity showing my clocks specific number.The Amazon invoice at check out states that Amazon offers expert technical help for set up. Since neither of my two Bradley clocks were working, I used the link on my invoice to call. I was connected to the regular Amazon operator. After two tries, she connected me to someone at Howard Miller named Deb. I emailed her copies of my invoices for both clocks along with their serial numbers. She gave me the name of an authorized repair shop in my area. She could not help me by phone.The listing said that only purchases from authorized dealers are covered by the warranty. So, I asked both the Amazon phone representative and Deb from Howard Miller if my clocks were covered by the warranty. The Amazon rep said yes. Deb from Howard Miller asked for copies of my invoices along with the serial numbers. I emailed them to her and I have not heard back.Update: I sent another email to Howard Miller. I received a reply stating: "Unfortunately these clocks would not be valid under our warranty because they were sold under their “special” warehouse promotions."I have returned one of the clocks. I will get a repair estimate for the clock I still have. The clock has lost ten minutes in five days and the chimes are not working properly. The chime bars need to be tuned to the correct frequency. I will get the repair estimate before my return window closes as I may need to return the second clock as well.

Clock arrived on time. Very minor scratch, cannot see the scratch when it is on the mantle. Overall, we have enjoyed this clock for a month now. Reading some of the other review, there was some criticism on the accuracy. It took about a week to fine tune the settings, now it keeps time as accurately as one can expect with a mechanical clock. Currently it gains about a minute every three or four days. What one would expect, and I suspect we can get it more accurate with more tuning. Ticking is very faint, so noise not a problem. Chimes can be turned off, or suspended at night time. The clock has become the centerpiece of our room, and we hare happy with the purchase.

Buyer beware - Howard Miller makes really nice clocks that aren't inexpensive. However, they ship them in flimsy boxes that are very easily damaged by FedEx or UPS. I now have several Howard Miller clocks but the wall clock I bought had to be returned twice because the first two were damaged by the shipper and if they had been better packaged might not have been necessary to return for replacement.

DO NOT BUY THIS JUNK - DOES NOT KEEP TIME AND NEEDS COSTLY REPAIR ($370) AFTER ONLY 2 YEARS

This clock has the beauty and grace of a grandfather clock with the sound of a handcrafted musical instrument. Truly outstanding. My wife, who is a bit of an antique snob, loves it too. Congratulations also to Amazon on the amazing one day delivery program.