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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Glossary · Mechanism

Arbor

The axle or spindle carrying a wheel, pinion, mainspring or fusee.

Explanation

An arbor is the shaft on which a gear-train component turns or is mounted; the barrel arbor, fusee arbor and balance staff are all specialised arbors. Its pivots run in plate holes or jewels, and its condition affects endshake and depthing.