Expert: Martin Meyer - 9/19/2008

Question
Please excuse my ignorance.  I believe the part which is broken is called the pin lever escapement.  The balance wheel is fine, but the lever fork on the escapement is missing one of two pins. I need to replace the entire pin lever escapement from the Franz Hermie 2 jeweled movement #1050-021.   I would be grateful if you could help direct me to a source?

Thank You.
Gerald Vlasak

Answer
Hi Gerald,

The 1050-021 is a balance wheel or floating balance movement. This movement has a pin lever escapement. I believe the part that you are referring to is the fork. This is a small brass part with a fork at the upper end which engages the balance wheel arbor (shaft), and two pins at the lower end which alternately engage the escape wheel teeth as it pivots back and forth.

This movement has a balance platform, which is easily replaceable as a unit. The platform consists of the balance wheel, balance spring, and mounting or suspension for the balance wheel. Unfortunately, the fork is not part of this assembly, but is mounted inside the movement itself.

Both the balance platform and the fork are available from www.blackforestimports.com. Replacing the fork would be a very difficult job, as you would have to separate the two main plates to install it. When the main plates are separated even part way, most or all the gears in the movement will come out. Reassembly, requiring you to fit all the pivots (gear shaft ends) into their correct holes when you close the plates, is a task which requires considerable experience, and is best left to a professional clock repairer. Additionally, the chime and strike trains will have to be set up again, as their adjustments will be lost when the gears come out. http://www.clockmasteronline.com