Balance

This is a macro of part of the balance wheel of a platform escapement from the clock I blipped yesterday (seen resting on the dial). The screws on the side of the wheel can be used to adjust its poise (a bit like the lead weights on the rim of a car wheel).  The spring is gripped by the index lever.  Shortening the effective length of the hairspring by moving the lever makes the clock run faster.  The job I had to do on this balance wheel was to reposition the hairspring collet on its staff so that the clock would run in beat with an even tick.  The clock had been stopping because it was out of beat.  This is a very delicate operation.  The pivots on the end of the balance staff can easily be broken as they are only the thickness of a few human hairs and I don't now know anyone with the skill to turn new ones.