A mechanical watch is a timepiece that uses mechanical components to track and display the time. Mechanical watches have been in use for centuries and are still preferred by many watch enthusiasts for their timeless appeal and intricate design. In this blog post we’ll explore in basic terms how a mechanical watch actually works.
Mechanical watches use a combination of gears, springs, and other mechanical components to track the passage of time. The watch is powered by a mainspring, which is wound by the user or, in the case of an automatic mechanical watch, by the motion of the wearer’s wrist. As the mainspring unwinds, it releases energy that is transmitted through a series of gears, eventually reaching the escapement.
The escapement is the part of the watch that controls the release of power through the gears. It works in combination with an oscillator – the balance wheel. The balance wheel is a weighted wheel that oscillates back and forth at a constant rate, typically between 2.5 and 5 Hertz. As it oscillates, it moves the pallet fork back and forth. This motion allows power to be gradually released from the gear train due to the engagement of the pallet fork with the escape wheel.
The gear train is another critical part of the watch and is responsible for transmitting the energy from the mainspring to the escapement. It consists of a series of gears that are arranged in a specific ratio to regulate the movement of the watch hands. The gear train in traditional movements includes a centre wheel, which is connected to the mainspring barrel, as well as a third wheel and fourth wheel which transmit power from the centre wheel to the escapement.
The motion of the hands is controlled by the movement of the gear train. The hour hand is mounted on a separate shaft from the minute hand, which allows the hour hand to move independently. The gear ratio is designed so that the hour hand moves at a slower rate than the minute hand, allowing the hour hand to track the passage of hours while the minute hand tracks the passage of minutes.
Accuracy of a watch can be affected by many factors, including changes in temperature, position, and wear and tear on the components. To ensure your watch is performing as effectively as it can, it should be serviced periodically by a trained watchmaker. We are able to assist in the servicing and repair of most makes and models of watch – do get in touch and see how we can help. Most watches have a 3-5 year service interval, depending on their age and quality.
In addition to the basic components described above, many mechanical watches include additional features such as a date display, chronograph function, or moon phase indicator. These features typically involve additional gears and mechanisms being added to the watch movement. For example, a chronograph function might include a separate set of gears, springs and levers for the chronograph mechanism, drastically increasing the number of parts which make up the movement. This is why working on these models is often more complicated and time consuming than when dealing with a “basic” mechanical watch.
Do you have a mechanical watch in need of attention? If so, get in touch and see how we can help. We offer a fully insured freepost watch repairs service and we serve clients all around the UK, as well as to customers local to us in Lewes and Uckfield, Sussex. As holders of a Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award and business partners of the British Horological Institute you can be confident in the service we provide.
Yours sincerely
David Clark FGA DGA MJVA PJDip. PJGemDip.
Managing Director, JVA Registered Valuer®
W.E. Clark & Son Limited