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Clocks, Watches/Jacot's Regulator Pendulum

Expert: William J Perkins - 9/25/2010

Question
My understanding is that you may be able to provide information on the Jacot's pendulum. If you could I would be grateful.

Answer
The purpose of the set-up is to provide a very accurate means to set the pendulum length. Quite frankly, in my opinion, it only provides a more complicated appearance and something else to get out of order. To some people the more bells and whistles a clock has, the more desirable it becomes, to me there is little more beautiful than a pure unadulterated precision clock movement. It is truly a work of art. After all, the objective is to achieve precision in timekeeping. The addition of another dial and setting mechanism is cosmetic and not of any real import. Being a purist, perhaps I am the wrong person to whom to address this inquiry. Regards WJP

Questioner's Rating

Rating(1-10)	Knowledgeability = 1	Clarity of Response = 1	Politeness = 10
Comment	Perhaps I am mistaken, but, it was my understanding based on reading the webpage that I would receive factual information, not a misguided opinion. It is WJP's opinion that the Jacot's pendulum does nothing more than provide the "addition of another dial and setting mechanism." It isn't another setting mechanism, all pendulums have a mechanism to adjust length. Perhaps as a "purist" he prefers a stick in the sand sundial? I for one prefer to encourage innovation, and in the mid 1800's the Jacot's pendulum was just that.