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Watch Escapement
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Watch Escapement Analyser - eTimer See our new web site

An advanced watch escapement analyser that allows accurate watch rate adjustments and diagnosis without the need for a traditional mechanical machine. It is used in conjunction with a special microphone  to analyze the action of mechanical watches. It calculates amplitude of oscillation, daily rate, beat error, positional error and much more.

The system works for lever, co-axial and tuning fork escapements.

Clocks have not been neglected either. The truth of an escape wheel is analysed by plotting a histogram of the deviation of the tick from each tooth. The long term plotting function is great for assessing temperature stability. You can perform a fourier analysis in order to detect any periodic fluctuation. Allen deviation analysis gives a definite measure of stability. If you need to make wheels, see here.

Prices start at just £299.

This software includes traditional machine emulations such as a simulated paper tape presentation, and takes advantage of the investment you already have in your PC. This solution will satisfy the most stringent requirements for mechanical watch servicing, diagnosis and quality control.

Featuring internet calibration, long term performance graphing with spectral analysis of cyclical variations, positional analysis with quality control statistics, and extreme flexibility in use, you will be able to achieve standards of measurement and diagnosis on a par with the most expensive instruments. This is a professional tool for all including the very best mechanical watches. Please arrange to call-in and try it.

The highly detailed oscilloscope display allows you to diagnose incorrect locking, inappropriate draw, lever horn rubbing on roller jewel, dart pin rubbing on safety roller, scored balance pivots, sticky hairspring etc. There is a wealth of information in that waveform!

£299 gets you a clip type microphone, with the full software. Please telephone to discuss other microphone options. I can provide conversions for most existing microphones. The clip-on microphone is rather special, featuring very low noise and exceptional high frequency response. It can be used either with the watch in its case or with the movement in a movement holder. However, this is by necessity a fragile microphone which might not be ideal for a busy workshop. The mic options are:

  • 1. Software with clip-on mic, £299.
  • 2. You provide a watch clamp microphone, Greiner, Vibrograf, Tickoprint, Witschi etc. We refurbish and modify it, and supply the software without clip-on mic for £349.
  • 3. We provide a used swivelling watch microphone. We refurbish and modify it and supply the software without clip-on mic for £449.
  • In the case of options 2 and 3, if you wish to add a clip-on mic at the time of purchase, there will be £90 to add. Postage will be included. If you decide to defer the purchase of the clip mic, but want one later, it will cost the exchange price of £90 plus postage

For UK sales contact: Graham Baxter, Delph Electronics +44 1778 560535
graham@delphe.co.uk
For all the rest contact: Steve Lunn, PO Box 70566, Sunnyvale, CA 94086. 408 221 1465
etimer.usa@gmail.com See our new web site

For microphone service click here

Features include:

  • Paper tape watch timing machine emulation with numeric and disk type readout.
  • Average rate calculation using least-squares fit for improved consistency, especially with clocks
  • Any beat rate from 1 tick per 30s (Atmos) to 400 cycles per second (tuning fork).
  • Amplitude measurement of lever and co-axial escapement; lift angle 20° to 120°.
  • High resolution beat error measurement.
  • Clear and detailed waveform display for fault diagnosis.
  • Trace magnification 1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50.
  • 'Paper' feed rate x 10, 5, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/5, 1/10, 1/15, 1/20, 1/30, 1/50, or 1/100.
  • 'Tape' length of several metres can be 'pulled back' to examine earlier results.
  • Positional results annotated onto tape, analysed and recorded to QC file.
  • Long term graphical output with vernier readout and selective zoom.
  • Graphs of rate, amplitude, deviation and beat error with variable smoothing.
  • Fourier analysis of cyclical variations
  • Allen deviation for assessment of stability
  • Escape wheel eccentricity histogram

Click here for a discussion on stability and accuracy


Typical program display (full screen)

Typical program display (more detail)

Long-term graphs

The hour hand and minute hand were very lightly touching.

Fourier analysis of amplitude variations

Escape wheel histogram

Above is a trace from the dead-beat escapement of a long case regulator clock which I am developing. I have made an escape wheel but there is one rogue tooth.

The settings dialog


All content copyright © 2024 Graham Baxter