Skip to content
The Encyclopedia of Horology

Component record · Plates & finishing

Balance Bridge

Partially verified

A balance support fixed at both ends rather than cantilevered.

What it does

Carries the upper balance pivot with greater rigidity than a cock.

How it works

Fixing at both ends resists deflection under shock, keeping balance endshake stable.

Evolution

A construction marker of certain precision traditions.

Known variations

  • Balance bridge
  • Balance cock

Identification for collectors

  • Two screws and two feet distinguish a bridge from a single-footed cock.

Common failure modes

  • Distortion from over-tightening
  • Wear at the jewel setting

Diagram

balance wheel with timing screwsflat or overcoil hairspringregulator index
Schematic: balance, hairspring and regulator. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

Sources & references

  1. de Carle, D., Practical Watch Repairing
  2. de Carle, D., Watch and Clock Encyclopedia
  3. Daniels, G., Watchmaking

Where sources disagree, the disagreement is stated rather than resolved silently.