Instructions
On this instruction page you will find detailed information on how to use your Atmos clock. We explain how to properly lock your clock, where to best place it, and how to adjust it.
CORRECT LOCKING OF THE ATMOS CLOCK
If you want to lock the clock or adjust the time, you must wait until the pendulum has turned completely to the right. Only now move the locking lever, which is located under the dial, from left to right and lock the pendulum. Make sure that the movement is smooth and even.
CORRECT LOCKING OF THE CALIBER 540
When locking the caliber 540 (produced from 1984 — 1987), there are some peculiarities to consider. As with other calibers, the locking lever, which is located here under the dial, must be pushed to the right as far as it will go. Again, make sure that the rotating pendulum has turned all the way to the right before locking the lever. The main problem here is that the last third can be quite difficult to go. It is crucial, however, because the lever locks into a cam that is not visible on most models. This is the only way the pendulum is secured and cannot come loose during transport. On the other hand, damage such as a torn torsion pendulum spring often occurs. A bent or broken regulating sleeve, as well as a bent anchor fork or a damaged locking mechanism can also be possible.
Many of these calibers have the small attachment with a rubber plug on the locking lever, which is supposed to prevent it from slipping back when the target is closed. Unfortunately, this part likes to get lost over time. The ATMOS Elysée with polished base, frame and columns also has a locking screw in the base plate. If you tighten this gently with your fingers, everything is secured and hardly anything can go wrong.
THE RIGHT LOCATION
Choose a quiet and stable place for the Atmos clock. As few vibrations as possible should be transmitted, e.g. from the floor. Locations on outside walls or the windowsill without too much direct sun are preferable, here there is a more constant temperature change. This helps the clock to draw energy. Direct sun looks nice, the light refracts on the many structures of the clock, but permanently can fade the dial.
SETTING UP THE ATMOS CLOCK CORRECTLY
If present, first loosen the locking screw located under the clock. It is important to unscrew it as far as it will go.
Place the clock on its intended place and align it as well as possible with the help of a spirit level and the front feet. Many clocks have a built-in level for this purpose. Now set the time as described in the next section.
SETTING THE TIME
If not done, lock your clock. Wait until the pendulum is turned all the way to the right and then move the locking lever to the right side. If you are unsure, please read the section Correctly locking the Atmos clock.
When setting the time, there are a few basic points to keep in mind with your Atmos clock:
- Never turn the minute hand backwards.
- Do not touch the dial with your fingers. After years, the smallest particles of sweat will cause stains on the dial that cannot be removed.
Once you have locked your clock, set the time a few minutes ahead of the current time, preferably using a radio-controlled clock. Now turn extremely carefully and set the time, only at the minute hand and exclusively clockwise. Wait until the set time is reached and slowly and evenly release the locking lever. On some clocks, this is somewhat sluggish due to construction and age, be sure to release the lever slowly and do not give the pendulum any extra swing. Overwinding the pendulum would cause damage to the pallet fork. The pendulum should now turn freely and will take a few days to find its swing. Therefore, you should let the clock run for a few days before fine-tuning it.
If you want to set your clock from summer to winter time, i.e. one hour back, note to turn the minute hand forward 11 turns (hours) to reach the desired time.
FINE-TUNING THE TIME
Every Atmos clock can and should be readjusted from time to time after it has been successfully commissioned and perfectly aligned to achieve the desired accuracy. You can adjust an Atmos to amazing accuracy, with a little love and patience of course. There are different Atmos variants, but all of them can be adjusted in the same way:
Above the dial, there is a small adjustment lever on each Atmos watch. There are also special variants, like a turning wheel on the old and rare “ATMOS II” models. But the principle is the same.
The adjustment is limited to the left and right and marked at the stop in each case. Either with the minus and plus symbol, with “s f” (eng.: slow/fast), or with “r a” (french: retard/avance).
Moving the lever to the left (-/s/r) always means slowing down the time and moving the lever to the right (+/f/a) always means speeding up the Atmos clock.
The levers are adjusted smoothly and do not lock in any position. The individual lines represent approximately 10–15 seconds of advance or retard during the day. This gives you the possibility to correct the advance or retard by yourself for about 1 minute per day.
In the ATMOS II models, this is done in a more complicated way by a rotary wheel, also called a fine adjustment wheel. These are available in the variant directed to the rear (earlier ATMOS II) or to the front (ATMOS II around the 20000 number). You can remember: turning to the right (clockwise) means slower, turning to the left (counterclockwise) means faster. One full turn gives you about 15 seconds in speed per day. But here you should proceed carefully and “approach” the desired result slowly.
WHAT TO DO IF THE ATMOS STOPS?
This is important because expensive mistakes are often made when trying to restart a good piece. Mistakes that ultimately usually break something can cause damage. Of course, the clock cannot start running again on its own. It needs your careful help for this!
WHAT NOT TO DO:
You should in no case simply turn the minute hand and try to set the time. Do not touch the clock hands!
Sometimes we have been told, “I moved the minute hand forward and the clock started up again.” Shortly thereafter, it stopped again. What happened? The small silver cylinder at the top of the pendulum column, when the clock has stopped, is sort of engaged with the anchor fork, it points forward. It is the moment when you can see the clock hand jumping a little bit, every 30s half a minute forward. By moving the hand in this state, you all too often damage something in the gear train and/or bend the fragile anchor fork and the watch can no longer run properly. If at all.
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE?
If the clock has stopped, carefully turn the rotating pendulum about 180 degrees to the right with your finger. Then arrest the clock with the arresting lever. Now you can set the correct time at the minute hand as described in the section Setting the time. Then you can release the locking lever again. The clock will now start again. If it stops again after some time, you can be sure that the watch needs a revision. Often it will run again for weeks, months, or years. Depending on what the cause of the standstill was. If you are unsure or need help, feel free to contact us. Even if your clock needs a revision we are available for you.
TIPS FOR THE COLD SEASON
If your Atmos is placed in a relatively cool room during the cold season (constantly below 16–17 degrees celsius), treat your clock to some warmth from time to time. To do this, lock your Atmos as described in the section Correctly locking the Atmos clock. This will secure the clock and you can put it in a warmer room for a day or two. This way you will ensure the winding function and your clock will thank you! When loosening the locking pendulum, always make sure that the rotating pendulum does not start with momentum.
REVISION
We often receive emails from concerned customers whose Atmos clocks have stopped. They often fear that a major repair is due and that the pressure cell or the oscillating spring is defective. You don’t have to worry about that for the time being because in 99% of the cases only an overhaul is due and if the watch has not been mishandled, no spare parts are needed.
A revision is due with each Atmos clock depending upon environmental influences and its location approx. every 10–25 years. The movement is disassembled into its parts, which are then checked and carefully cleaned. The movement is then reassembled, its rate and accuracy checked and fine-tuned over several weeks. If parts, such as the pressure box or a cracked torsion pendulum spring, need to be replaced, we will of course contact you after an initial appraisal. If desired, gold plating, nickel plating, rhodium plating, or silver plating of the case is also possible.
Just contact us and we can send you a prepared, soft padded shipping box to make the transport safe for your Atmos. We will then be happy to refurbish your Atmos. If you wish a best-insured transport of valuables, we can also offer or organize this transport of valuables, from door to door. Just contact us, we will be happy to help you.
