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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Component record · Escapement

Balance Bridge

Partially verified

Support structure for the balance

What it does

Holds the upper pivot of the balance staff

How it works

Provides rigid support

Adjusts for endshake

Evolution

Evolved from full balance cocks to bridges in modern calibres

Known variations

  • Single-sided cock
  • Full bridge

Identification for collectors

  • Large bridge over balance

Common failure modes

  • Bent bridge
  • Loose screws

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.