Servicing the Platform Escapement

Instructor: Bob Ockenden, CMC, retired chief horologist of Chelsea Clocks

Cost: $745 for AWCI members – $895 for non-members

Class Schedule: 3 days, Wednesday-Friday, September 9-11, 2026, 8:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.

The course is designed around the needs of clockmakers, who frequently don’t have the training to service the jeweled lever escapement. The class will begin with an understanding of the values and adjustments to proper escapement function. This will include a study of stop motion drawings of the escapement in action, the definition of terms and functions, followed by the hands-on portion of the class. The end goal of the course will be the students coming away with the skills to handle all basic services required for this specialty, as well as an understanding of the more advanced skills needed in more complex restoration projects.

Course Objectives

The students will dismantle an escapement, analyze any faults, and with individual instruction begin to perform operations to include:

–Hairspring manipulations and adjustments
–Staff and roller servicing including removal as needed
–Polishing balance pivots
–Analyzing locking and sliding or draw action
–Adjusting banking pins if needed
–Inspecting and evaluating all jewels
–Cleaning and lubrication
–Reassembly and testing
–As time allows, poising and truing operations will be covered
–Timing adjustments using mean time screws and hairspring breathing analysis

Tools needed

–Large watch movement holder
–Bench block with various hole sizes
–Balance tack
–Watch oilers
–Assorted tweezers (3c, 0, 5 perhaps 2a)
–Complete set of watchmakers screwdrivers
–Loupes or optivisor. A10x loupe
–Rodico, pegwood and pithwood
–Small fine Arkansas slip
–Diamantine paste or powder and oil
–One dip
–Small parts trays or containers

Oils, shellac, poising tool, truing caliper, pallet stone warmer, roller remover and stakes and balance screw cutter will be provided. Students are free to bring their own escapements they are working on.

To register for the course, contact AWCI Office Manager James Sprague at james@awci.com or at 513-367-9800, ext. 301.