Expert: Kenneth Saunders - 1/27/2008

Question
emprorer clock built by myself aprox 25 years ago and oiled with clock oil several times.  the clock runs very slow now-pendalum not changed or adjusted.suspect escapement bad-removed verge assy  and with weight hanging on chain movement runs freely.with pendulum removed clock runs fast but sounds as if something binds every revolution of escapement wheel.I am retired aircraft mechanic.  Please give me your best guess without seeing it.Many thanks in advance. Charles

Answer
03124 is the current number since Hermle bought out Urgos and continued making these movements.
 The teeth of the escape wheel should hit on the flat face of the verge tooth and then as the pendulum swings, slide down the tooth to slip off the angled tip of the verge tooth.
 Move the pendulum by hand and with a flashlight look closely and see what the action is.

 do the teeth look like this : http://www.clock-keys.com/CART/images/11627.JPG

or are they finer with little step platforms between the teeth?
 In removing the verge assembly you might not have gotten it back in the proper place with the two set screws on the back little plate- try loosening the screws and mving the plate up a whisker and re-tighten and try it.