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HomeGlossarySafety pinion

Glossary · Mechanism

Safety pinion

A centre pinion that unscrews if the mainspring breaks.

Explanation

Protects the train in American watches.

Diagram

Schematic: the going train. An outline schematic drawn to show the arrangement of the parts discussed here. It is not a dimensioned working drawing and does not depict a particular maker's calibre.

The Encyclopedia of Horology

A long-term reference archive for pocket watches, mechanical watches, clocks, movements and the history of mechanical timekeeping. Entries carry an editorial status and cited sources; unknown information is recorded as unknown rather than filled in.

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Pocket Watches
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Clocks
Movements
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Educational resource. Nothing here is a valuation, an authentication or a guarantee of attribution. Consult a qualified watchmaker before servicing any antique movement.