200 Year Old Carriage Clock Platform Balance Work

Disassembly of a carriage clock platform balance for the purpose of servicing. This clock was probably 200 years old and may never have been serviced. The real problem is something I did not expect.

[@mercuriall2810]

Great work!
The carriage clock dates back to 1812, a clock made by Breguet for Emperor Napoleon.
This clock, or at least the platform escapement in it is definitely not 200 years old, though. The Swiss lever escapement didn’t exist in the form seen here until decades later.
9010 is not the ideal lubricant for a balance of this size and weight. It is too thin, and when an oil is too thin, the film of oil between the staff and jewels gets ‘broken’ (on a microscopic level) under the load between them.
This means the bearing surfaces under load (where lube is most needed) are actually running dry, metal on jewel at times, which leads to increased wear over time.
According to the British Horological Institute, and watch movement above 13 lignes (just under 30mm) in diameter should have the staff pivots lubed with 9020. This is often overlooked in watchmaking content online, where 9010 seems to be used universally on the staff, but it is important.
Even heavier balances, such as in marine chronometers, need D5. HP1300 or HP500 on the staff pivots, depending on the weight of the balance wheel.

[@ferguscosgrave7510]

Thanks I have only done about 6 of them in 50 years well done

[@JDRichard]

@@ferguscosgrave7510 i’ve done a few of these carriage clock platforms in the past. Mainly rep pivoting of the escapement wheel. But this time, I guess I’m gonna have to make abalance staff

[@ferguscosgrave7510]

@@JDRichard looking forward to see it

[@JDRichard]

@@ferguscosgrave7510 so am I happy face happy face happy face

[@sonnymoorehouse1941]

You sir are on fire.

[@JDRichard]

@@sonnymoorehouse1941 bam pow and another video