Has anyone else noticed how the newer batches of synthetic clock oil start gumming up after like six months now? Back in my day, a good whale oil or even the early petroleum stuff would keep a grandfater clock ticking for a decade without a single hiccup. Now, suddenly, these high-tech laboratory formulas are being pushed by every major distributor, claiming they protect the pivots better. It feels like a blatant plot to force us into buying those horrible quartz movements because they want us dependent on microchips that can be fried by an EMP. They want every timepiece connected to the grid so they can track our exact daily routines through smart meters. My old Ansonia doesn't report to any databease, and that terrifies them. I went back to using a custom blend of refined mineral oil and sewing machine oil I mix in my basement, and surprise, my 1890 mantel clock runs smoother than ever. Don't fall for the corporate bottle labels, they are just trying to ruin your gear trains so you give up and buy a clock that listens to your conversations.