The most common ailment I hear when customers say their clocks have stopped is that they must have wound them too tightly. I would estimate that in 99% of the cases, it is not overwinding that has stopped the clock. Usually, there is an underlying issue with the clock: it may be worn bearing points, old oil and accumulated dirt, or broken teeth on a gear.
To say that overwinding caused your clock to stop is similar to saying, “I carried an umbrella today and therefore, it rained.”
On the contrary, a clock operates best if you fully wind it at a regularly scheduled interval (based on the type of clock). That doesn’t mean to forcibly wind the clock, but to gently wind it until you are no longer able to turn the key because you encounter resistance and the “clicking” sound heard during the winding process stops.
To keep your treasured timepiece in good working order, wind it routinely and fully, keep it away from dusty areas and have it serviced every 5-7 years. When a clock is serviced, it is disassembled, cleaned, reassembled, lubricated and timed — and usually good for another 5-7 years.
So the next time you feel you’re wound too tight, remember, it’s more than likely not your clock.