The arms on the clock were indicating 5 o'clock, but Alexandra Lions Club member Dave Ramsay was not sure if that meant 5am or pm.
He was alerted to the stoppage by the Otago Daily Times about 9.30am yesterday.
The Lions group has been responsible for maintaining the clock for at least the past year.
Fortunately, Central Otago Electrical co-owner Greg Hamill also keeps his eye on the time.
Mr Hamill has been caring for the clock for about 25 years.
''Someone said to me, 'You are in charge of keeping the time,' and no-one has said not to.''
Upon investigating, he found a flexible drive shaft connecting the electric motor to the gear box had worn out, causing the clock to stop.
The relatively easy fix took about an hour to complete, and the clock resumed ticking just after 11am.
Mr Hamill said it was surprising how often he had to work on the clock, which he did on a volunteer basis, at no charge.
He visited the clock about once a month, he said.
