Jump to content

Elliott Clock Platform Escapement

Alun

By Alun
in All Things Clocks

 Share

Recommended Posts

Alun New Member

Alun

Posted
Posted

Hi all

My first question on this forum

I have just serviced a nice Elliot French clock which belongs to a neighbour.

It was really gummed up and is now cleaned, oiled, greased and going well.

However....it's platform escapement is puzzling me. It's not like any I've seen before as it has a coiled spring on the escape wheel with what I can only describe as a cam set up....see photo.

If I stop the balance the escape wheel 'locks' and the usual shake doesn't get it started...so any help explaining this escapement and the purpose of the coil / cam will be gratefully received.

Many thanks 

Alun 👍

PXL_20230102_203155937.jpg

PXL_20230102_203100728~2.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites
oldhippy Distinguished Member

oldhippy

Posted
Posted

 Elliot clocks are English I have many ranging from time pieces to Chiming all with platform escapements they are very well made clocks from the movement to the cases. The coiled spring on the escape wheel should act as a silent tick, that is if it is working correctly. You need to make sure the balance is in beat, if you stop the balance and you have power on the spring the balance should start up on its own.  You need to check the balance and the depth of the contrite wheel making sure the teeth engage correctly. No matter what position the movement is in it should work, if it stops the depth will be wrong.  

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Marc Distinguished Member

Marc

Posted
Posted
8 hours ago, oldhippy said:

The coiled spring on the escape wheel should act as a silent tick

Interesting.....

I have a late 1960's Elliott desk/mantle clock which has a 7 jewel french platform escapement but without any of the spring work on the escape wheel, and it is really loud!!

I have to agree with OH on the build quality, it is very much a notch or two above the average fare...

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
Alun New Member

Alun

Posted
  • Author
Posted
On 1/3/2023 at 4:08 PM, oldhippy said:

 Elliot clocks are English I have many ranging from time pieces to Chiming all with platform escapements they are very well made clocks from the movement to the cases. The coiled spring on the escape wheel should act as a silent tick, that is if it is working correctly. You need to make sure the balance is in beat, if you stop the balance and you have power on the spring the balance should start up on its own.  You need to check the balance and the depth of the contrite wheel making sure the teeth engage correctly. No matter what position the movement is in it should work, if it stops the depth will be wrong.  

Thanks OH....the tick is very very quiet so it must be doing its job. I was just puzzled by it and thought someone would know!  I've adjusted the end shake on the contrite wheel and I feel its ok. The beat also seemed ok but I think I'm going to recheck just in case..... otherwise it's running well and I'm happy with it. Cheers Alun.

 

15 hours ago, Marc said:

Interesting.....

I have a late 1960's Elliott desk/mantle clock which has a 7 jewel french platform escapement but without any of the spring work on the escape wheel, and it is really loud!!

I have to agree with OH on the build quality, it is very much a notch or two above the average fare...

Hi Marc....this one is really quiet, you have to put your ear to the clock to check it's running!!! I've got a late C19th French clock of my own that's really loud....so it looks like that spring is a dampener.... cheers Alun 👍👍

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing


  • Recently Browsing

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Topics

  • Posts

    • ManSkirtBrew
      1972 Bulova President "E" Sea King 11ACACB movement

      By ManSkirtBrew · Posted

      Unfortunately I'm not that lucky. I started on the train side and after I noticed the binding I pulled everything out except the driving wheel to rule everything else out. It still binds. I'm going to double check that the pinion is fully seated on the staff first, then if no joy I'll push the bridge jewel up a fraction of a mm. Fingers crossed!
    • Waggy
      Rado rotor removal

      By Waggy · Posted

      Happy to have helped, great way to start the day with a win! 🥳
    • doober
      Rado rotor removal

      By doober · Posted

      Thank you for the advise!! It worked. The setting screw was a lock/unlock to remove the rotor. 
    • GuyMontag
      1972 Bulova President "E" Sea King 11ACACB movement

      By GuyMontag · Posted

      I have that French tech sheet too, it is a little different than the English one (eg, it doesn't have the auto works diagram). BTW, it looks like you are looking up the case number in the 1979 ABC supplement. The 1974 ABC catalog does have the 3093 case. As you determined it takes the 1222-5 crystal.  When I serviced my President 'A' (which also takes that crystal), I was able to fit a 29.8 crystal from my DPA crystal assortment. Those are, in my opinion, a great deal. The assortment comes with 10 sizes each from 27.8mm to 32.4mm in 0.2 increments. I pretty much use them for any non-armored crystal that takes a high dome crystal. I think they no longer make them but Cousins has still has some in stock but when I bought them they were around $40 for the set and now they are around $100. Still, at 40 cents a crystal it's still a good deal. For the large driving wheel, I remember I once assembled the keyless/motion works first and when I placed the large driving wheel it was interfering with the setting wheel on the dial side as the teeth were not fully meshing and it wouldn't fully seat. If that isn't the issue I got nothing and am looking forward to see how you solve it 🙂
    • Waggy
      Rado rotor removal

      By Waggy · Posted

      Not sure, but just looking at it, it seems like the screw on the right may be a fake? The one on the left may not be a screw in the regular sense at all, rather a 2 position device, I think you need to point the slot towards either of the 2 dots and one will secure and one will open. Like I said this is just my best guess looking at the pictures.
×
×
  • Create New...