Repairing the Brocot Escapement, part 3 'Setting New Pallet Jewels'

Here are some helpful links for clock repair

Setting new pallet jewels in the Brocot escapement can be a tricky task. In this video I show a couple of ideas I have come up with that makes it easier and more accurate for me, hopefully this will give you some ideas. First, using super glue is not recommended, it may be less time consuming at first BUT future adjustments will be difficult. A small bag of shellac flakes is very inexpensive and will last for many repairs and is also good for many other little projects. By using the watchmakers roller table warmer heat is not directly applied to any of the clock surfaces causing damage. For the final adjustments the roller table warmer can hold the heat a bit longer than heated tweezers, allowing for extra time to make those adjustments. I personally like to take the anchor out of the movement when replacing the jewels. By doing so I am able to get a good close look at everything to insure a proper job. Though a slight adjustment of a miss aligned jewel is easily accomplished without disassembly. Thank you for watching my videos. I would ask you to give a thumbs up or make comments and give ideas so that everyone may benefit. Thank you and have a great day. William
You can also find more great information about clock repair and watch repair at

[s.spencertenagodus]

A month later and i am excited. Following your calculations, practical illustrations and know how instructions now, for my first time dealing with a jewelled Brocot escape; replacing the jewel on the drop exit pallet, I have:- Replaced the pallet. Straightened (with prepared narrow pliers smoothed and polished from standard long nosed pliers) the delicate "teeth" (and they are delicate - 120yrs old). "Filed them to a "file polish" (with the finest escape file I had). Polished (arkansas) and topped all teeth. Adjusted the span of the anchor to allow 0.5mm entry/drop off the jewel (all teeth now equal length). Corrected, as best I could, (my "not so exact" finish) the distance between the teeth so that now listening to the beat with industrial stethoscopes there is no, hesitation, rasping, clicking or anything other than a smoothest run on each beat. Without your very helpful explanations I wouldn't have been able to get the clock running properly. Many thanks for your generous contribution, work and time in getting these videos to the public

[s.spencertenagodus]

thank you. I've watched all three as I have my first Brocot Escapement clock to repair and replace one pallet jewel. Now I am set to go! I would have so liked to see what remedial action you took to sort out the escape wheel. the one I have looks a bit in need of TLC but as it is the first such escape wheel I have had to deal with and appears to be very fragile I will keep looking for suggestions. once again thank you for your very detailed and helpful advice and theoried explanations.

[VintageClockParts]

Very nice video, I like your clock repair links too!

[bunnspecial]

I had a loose pallet and used a soldering iron to melt the shellac. The clock has an inside escapement so I did not have to worry about the finish but the iron didn't harm the finish. Once the shellac started to melt I removed the iron.

[dennismcatee]

Excellent. when I started obtaining old clocks I wondered why fixing them was so expensive. Did not realize how much time and work goes into keeping them running correctly.

[kblow]

Mine jewel pallet broke, now I need to buy new one, mine diameter is 1.5mm but they selling is 1.8mm, to make it smaller not that easy so can it be used, I think shouldn’t be any problem, what is your opinion before I buy the pallet, thanks

[maximeloiseau]

Fine job and very precise ! I'm a litttle deceived not to see some moving of the anchor at the end to look how the jewel contact the wheel and fits fine.

[mitsaloveydovey]

I have one same but i dont know if its gold or not can some body help?

[Limou]

That wathc is very easy to repair, in the other day I repaire a watch that was the size of you escapment wheel, the size on a nail,

at the end of your videos you should always show it working.

[InsideOfMyOwnMind]

I don't call myself a clockmaker but I had an idea. Forgive if this has been done. When you have to do this job inside the movement, why not instead use a depthing tool on one plate to record the distance between the pivots and transfer that to a device that could act as a sort of skeleton plate set giving you perfect access to set the palets. No risk to the other parts and access to do a better job.

[mitsaloveydovey]

Hi is it gold clock i mean is it real gold??

[TheGreatTimSheridan]

I think the Ubie Would give you a shellac applicator. The Ubie.comI got to get funding for a super clock.
Know anybody.