Curiosities from the workshop: the movement support plate wobbles
On our workbench right now is an Atmos du Millénaire Atlantis, partly dismantled. During the very first inspection we noticed something we see only very rarely: the movement support plate, the part that carries the movement, wobbles slightly. You can see it clearly in the video.
- 2screws hold the movement support plate
- 0.6 mmdiameter, comparatively large
- 1×tightened: when the clock is first assembled
01
Why this is so curious
The movement support plate is held by just two screws. They sit underneath the clock, hard to reach and partly hidden by the locking mechanism, and are essentially tightened only once: when the clock is first assembled. At 0.6 mm, these screws have a comparatively large diameter, and they are firmly tightened. On top of that, an Atmos experiences hardly any vibration or shock during its lifetime. That these two screws come loose is therefore highly unusual.
02
One simple step, but a lot of work beforehand
In the end, only two screws need to be tightened again. But just to reach them, the clock has to be largely dismantled: the torsion pendulum is removed and the locking mechanism opened. Only then are the two screws exposed underneath.
03
And that is when the real work begins
Once the screws are tightened, everything is reassembled. Because the torsion pendulum was removed completely, it never returns to exactly its original length when it is refitted. The clock therefore has to be fully readjusted and timed again.
Two screws turn into quite a bit of work.
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