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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Component record · Train

Vertical Clutch

Partially verified

A friction coupling engaging chronograph drive along the arbor axis.

What it does

Starts and stops the chronograph without lateral wheel engagement.

How it works

Two friction surfaces are pressed together to transmit drive, so the chronograph hand starts without the small jump characteristic of horizontal coupling.

Evolution

Increasingly used in modern chronograph calibres.

Known variations

  • Vertical clutch
  • Horizontal coupling

Identification for collectors

  • A chronograph hand that starts without jumping suggests vertical coupling.

Common failure modes

  • Contaminated friction surfaces
  • Wear reducing grip

Related photographs

Large Silver Swiss Centre Seconds Chronograph – 1894
Large Silver Swiss Centre Seconds Chronograph – 1894 — WatchMuseum.org, © WatchMuseum.org, used with permission. WatchMuseum.org catalogue record
Large Silver Swiss Centre Seconds Chronograph – 1894
Large Silver Swiss Centre Seconds Chronograph – 1894 — WatchMuseum.org, © WatchMuseum.org, used with permission. WatchMuseum.org catalogue record
Large Silver Swiss Centre Seconds Chronograph – 1894
Large Silver Swiss Centre Seconds Chronograph – 1894 — WatchMuseum.org, © WatchMuseum.org, used with permission. WatchMuseum.org catalogue record

No confidently matched photograph of this subject has been found yet. These photographs show a closely related record, and are not examples of the type described on this page.

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.