This clock was used in an Alpina dealership as an accurate timekeeper. They would often be displayed to the public. This model was made with a dead beat second hand. This must have looked very impressive on a small clock like this, as it was still a long time until the quartz clocks where mass produced. I got this particular clock last year, it’s running but is not keeping very good time.
The case is shaped like the Alpina triangle logo. I turn the clock around. The back is held in place by the feet.
I have removed the back. It’s pretty cool there is a little window to the movement.
The clock also has a hacking lever in the form of a pusher on the side of the case
Removing the case back cover reveals a nicely decorated swiss lever movement.
The dial is nice but, unfortunately the Alpina lettering is missing.
I remove the hands and dial revealing a nice cover plate for testing the timekeeping without the dial.
To let down the remaining power I remove the pallet fork.
I start taking the movement apart.
The watch consists of two gear trains; one lower one for the clock and the upper for the dead beat second hand.
The dead beat second gear train removed.
I can now remove the main running gear train. Looking at the dirt on the pivots, there was no doubt that a service was needed!
Lastly I remove the cover plate to remove the setting mechanism.
I take apart the balance cock.
To access the lower pivot jewel I need to unscrew a plate that is screwed onto the base plate.
I regularly change my cleaning fluid so it never gets very dirty. First I manually clean the larger parts in the cleaning solution before doing the same in the rinse solution. I do this outside as it’s smelly stuff;) The smaller parts go in the cleaning machine.
I also go over all the case parts.
I start by putting running gear train in place.
The wheel to the left is actually a barrel for the centre second gear train.
Putting the movement back together is a little more challenging for me as everything is in a larger scale to what I’m used to.
The lower bush for the central second is very worn so I decide to replace it. The bush is fitted above central second wheel hole so it needs to be custom made with a shoulder and the right hight.
I fit the new bushing.
Here you can see how the small barrel engages with the winding mechanism that also winds the large barrel.
The power is controlled by a lever mounted onto a pinion. The lever pinion engages with an intermediate pinion that is engaging with an overlapping wheel that is driven by the main gear-train.
This movement is a little larger than the average movement that goes on the Timegrapher.
After a lot of adjusting I get where I want to be!
I now put the setting mechanism back together.
I start putting the movement back together in the case.
Case is almost back together.
Hacking lever is simple but effective.
I love the little peep hole looking into the lovely swan neck micro regulator.
The brass case has been polished over the years. I fill in the markings and then give it a coat of clear lacquer.
One could say, that’s a pretty cool workshop clock!
2 Responses to Service: Alpina dead beat second clock.
Lovely clock! I like this a lot, noted it elsewhere in the blog too – your tour video perhaps?
Not sure if you’re aware but there’s a strong similarity in design with ‘The Eye of Providence’ – famously referenced in Masonic culture, arms and heraldries, official seals and currencies around the world 🙂
Well the workshop is the secret church of the vintage timekeepers cult! Everyday we pray to the floor to reveal missing parts:D