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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Component record · Regulation

Stud Carrier

Partially verified

The fitting on the balance cock that holds the hairspring stud.

What it does

Fixes the outer end of the hairspring at the correct height and angle.

How it works

The carrier positions the stud so the hairspring lies flat and concentric.

In movable-stud designs it can be rotated to correct beat error.

Evolution

Movable stud carriers became common as a means of setting beat without bending the spring.

Known variations

  • Fixed stud carrier
  • Movable stud carrier

Identification for collectors

  • A small arm carrying a pierced block at the hairspring's outer end.

Common failure modes

  • Loose stud
  • Bent carrier distorting the spring

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.