Glossary · Mechanism
Arbor
The axle or spindle carrying a wheel, pinion, mainspring or fusee.
Explanation
An arbor is the axle on which a wheel or pinion is mounted, turning in holes or jewels in the plates. The barrel arbor carries the mainspring hook and the winding square; the balance staff is the most delicate arbor in the watch. Broken or worn pivots on arbors are among the most common repairs.
In the object catalogue
Catalogued objects whose own source record mentions “Arbor”. The quoted line shows where; it is the seller’s or museum’s wording, not independent verification.
Component
Waterbury Clock Movement Warning Wheel (K6537)
“This catalogued horological component is a brass-toned warning wheel removed from a solid back Waterbury clock movement. According to the seller, the source movement was stamped…”
Clock
Double-sided hanging clock attributed to Eugène Farcot
“Brass winding key inserted into the central arbor”
Clock
François-Justin Vulliamy bracket clock
“This bracket clock is held by the Royal Collection Trust and attributed to clockmaker François-Justin Vulliamy (1712–98). The object features an ebonised or dark-finished wooden…”
Component
IWC Calibre 852 Centre Seconds Pinion (Ref. 275)
“This item is an individual center seconds pinion (pignon de seconde au centre) associated with IWC calibre 852. Listed under reference 275, the source records a height measureme…”
Clock
Sessions Grand Assortment #3 gingerbread clock
“Six-inch dial with Roman numerals, spade hands, and dual winding arbors”
Pocket watch
James McCabe 1834 Gold Lepine Calibre Duplex Pocket Watch
“Visible steel Geneva stopwork mechanism mounted beside the barrel arbor.”