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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Glossary · Mechanism

Equation cam

The kidney-shaped cam that drives an equation-of-time display.

Explanation

The equation cam is the kidney-shaped cam, rotating once a year, whose edge encodes the equation of time. A feeler following the cam drives the equation hand or a secondary minute hand. The cam must be correctly phased to the calendar mechanism, which makes setting and servicing equation watches specialist work.