Mechanism for running a timepiece8/11/2023 ![]() The balance spring tries to hold the balance in one central position. Its inner end is secured to the balance staff by the collet. It is secured to the balance cock at its outer end by the stud. The balance spring is mounted above the balance. ![]() The balance has a central arm that is mounted in the balance staff and carries a circular rim that is the oscillating mass. The balance and its spring form the oscillator that controls the timekeeping of the watch. The pallets are either side of the lever pivot which I have labelled, they are tiny pale ruby coloured things, one is just visible above the screw on the rim of the balance. In a lever escapement movement like the one pictured, the escape wheel is locked by a lever pallet, which you should just about be able to see if you click on the picture to get the larger version. The fourth wheel also drives the pinion of the escape wheel. Watches with the "traditional" layout of the one shown here rarely have centre seconds hands - see below for more details of watches with centre seconds dials. Its pivot in the bottom plate is often extended so that it passes through the dial where it turns a seconds hand. The fourth wheel is usually arranged to make one turn every minute. The centre wheel drives the pinion of the third wheel, and the third wheel drives the pinion of the fourth wheel, the speed of rotation increasing each time. Every time the minute hand makes one revolution the hour hand makes 1/12 of a revolution, so one complete revolution of the hour hand takes 12 hours. The centre wheel turns once per hour and its arbor is extended through the bottom plate and turns the minute hand, and it also turns the hour hand through a 12:1 reduction gearing called the motion work. The mainspring barrel has a gear on its outside which drives the pinion of the centre wheel directly, this is called a going barrel. The spring is contained within a barrel underneath the ratchet wheel. When the stem is turned, the pinion turns the crown wheel, which turns the ratchet wheel connected to the mainspring arbor, winding the spring that makes the watch go. The stem carries a pinion which meshes with the crown wheel. I have indicated where the winding stem enters the movement at the top of the picture. Lever escapement movement - click to enlarge If your movement doesn't have the escape wheel pivot visible like this one it might have a cylinder escapement, see cylinder escapement further down this page. If you click on it a larger version should open in a pop-up window where you can see more detail. The picture here of a movement with a lever escapement should help with some basic terms for the parts of a movement which you can see when you open the case back. Good quality watches and wristwatches usually had movements with lever escapements. If you have any questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me via my Contact Me page. If you want to know about how to care for a mechanical watch, including advice about what can go wrong and regular cleaning and oiling, see Looking After a Mechanical Watch. It gives some basic terms for the parts of a movement so that you can ask questions about them more confidently. This page is intended to convey some basic information about the movements of mechanical watches (sometimes called the “mechanism” or “works”, although watchmakers have never used these terms). Bocks and Rams: IWC and Stauffer Trademarks.New product: Leather and Sterling Alberts.Savonnette and Lépine Watches and Cases.Converted Wristwatches - Transitional? No.Bears Galore! Three Bears and 0♹35 Silver.Rotherham & Sons Hermetic Wristwatch New.Borgel 2: Taubert & Fils and Taubert Frères.Borgel 1: François Borgel and Louisa Borgel.English Watchmaking Companies Main page.Straps for Vintage Fixed Wire Lug Trench Watches or Officer's Wristwatches
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