Marcus Tempus Workshop

Musical Box Repair & Restoration.

Preserving mechanical music with traditional workshop skill. From Swiss cylinder musical boxes to disc-playing musical boxes, our restoration work is carried out by hand in our Barnet workshop, serving collectors throughout London and the UK.

Rare Mechanical Music Craftsmanship

Antique musical boxes require specialist care.

Many musical boxes are over 100 years old and rely on delicate mechanical components. Incorrect repair can permanently affect sound quality, value and originality. Our workshop focuses on careful, sympathetic restoration wherever possible.

Steel combs Pinned cylinders Disc mechanisms Governors Springs Gear trains
Services We Offer

Musical box servicing, repair and restoration.

Each piece is assessed individually before any work is recommended.

Musical Box Servicing

Careful cleaning, lubrication and adjustment of original mechanical musical box mechanisms.

Musical Box Repair

Fault diagnosis, governor repairs, spring replacement and mechanical correction.

Cylinder Musical Boxes

Specialist work on pinned cylinder mechanisms, combs and associated components.

Disc Musical Boxes

Repair and servicing of disc-operated musical boxes and related mechanisms.

Musical box mechanism restoration
Traditional Restoration

Preserving sound, movement and originality.

The number of workshops capable of restoring antique musical boxes continues to decline. We combine traditional hand skills with careful workshop assessment to help preserve these rare mechanical music pieces.

Swiss musical boxes Cylinder boxes Disc boxes Table musical boxes Singing bird automata Clock & music mechanisms
Our Process

From assessment to careful testing.

01 Assessment

Inspection of the mechanism, comb, cylinder or disc and case.

02 Estimate

Clear recommendations and restoration options before work begins.

03 Restoration

Careful repair, cleaning, adjustment and restoration by hand.

04 Testing

Playback testing, sound checking and mechanical regulation.

05 Return

Collection or safe return options once the work is complete.

Case & Cabinet Restoration

Care for beautiful timber cabinets.

Many musical boxes are housed within decorative wooden cases. We can assist with light cosmetic restoration while respecting age, patina and original character.

Cabinet refinishing French polishing Hardware cleaning Hinge repairs Veneer repairs Light cosmetic restoration
Musical box cabinet restoration
Request an Estimate

Have an antique musical box to restore?

Send us photographs and details of the musical box, or contact the workshop for specialist advice.