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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Component record · Keyless work

Setting Wheels

Verified

A small train of intermediate wheels within the keyless works that carries drive from the clutch wheel to the minute wheel when the crown is used to set the hands.

What it does

Allows the crown, via the stem and clutch wheel, to turn the motion-work wheels and hence the hands directly, bypassing the going train while the crown is in the setting position.

How it works

When the clutch wheel is shifted into the setting position, it meshes with the first of one or more setting wheels rather than the winding pinion.

These setting wheels form a small idler train that reverses or adjusts the direction and ratio of drive as needed so that turning the crown ultimately turns the minute wheel of the motion work at a sensible ratio for hand-setting.

Because the setting train is only engaged intermittently, its teeth typically see much less wear than the constantly running going train, though careless hand-setting can still damage fine teeth if forced.

Evolution

Introduced as an integral part of keyless works and essentially unchanged in principle since, though the exact number and arrangement of setting wheels varies by calibre.

Known variations

  • Single intermediate setting wheel
  • Two or more setting wheels depending on the keyless works layout and hand-setting direction required

Identification for collectors

  • Small wheels visible in the dial-side keyless works train, distinct from the winding pinion and ratchet/crown wheel of the winding side
  • The intermediate setting wheel carries drive from the clutch wheel to the minute wheel when the crown is pulled to the setting position

Common failure modes

  • Worn or chipped teeth from forceful hand-setting
  • Poor depthing causing hands to set stiffly or unevenly

Photographs

At Auction: 1998 Mattel Hot Wheels Splittin Image Watch And Car Set
At Auction: 1998 Mattel Hot Wheels Splittin Image Watch And Car Set — Invaluable auction archive, Auction archive photograph, rights review pending. Invaluable sold-lot record
Valjoux 61 555 new model watch Movement Chrono. part: 2 setting wheels ...
Valjoux 61 555 new model watch Movement Chrono. part: 2 setting wheels ... — ebay.com, Rights unverified — web image search result, review pending. Web page (ebay.com)

Photographs are illustrative examples of the type, not necessarily the exact object described. Verify details against the source file page.

Sources & references

  1. de Carle, D., Practical Watch Repairing

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