Vanessa's Parts Insp. #4...Ca. 3135 Escape Wheel

[Tools]

The Escape Wheel, along with the pallet, are the primary parts that make up the watches "escapement" and together deliver the proper cadence or timing for the mainspring to unwind at a known rate, and the hands to display this unwinding rate as "time" on your dial.

Escape Wheel and Pallet:

http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/WatchWorkshop/Vanessas%20Tech/Cal3135%20Escape%20Wheel/EscapeWheel5.jpg
How they fit together:
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/WatchWorkshop/Vanessas%20Tech/Cal3135%20Escape%20Wheel/EscapeWheel3.jpg

The Escape Wheel is driven by the watch geartrain, usually the 4th wheel, and provides a push against the pallet jewel, which in turn, imparts energy to the hairspring impulse jewel thus driving the hairspring.

Here is how it fits with the hairspring and pallet:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bb/Anker_01.jpg/553px-Anker_01.jpg

And how it looks inside a watch:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/00/Chinese_movement_escapement_and_jewels.jpg/547px-

Now, let's see if you can find it here in our Cal. 3135 Rolex Movement:
http://people.timezone.com/mdisher/andrewb/3135/Rolex08.jpg

Inspecting the Escape Wheel, you need to examine it's main drive gear clearly seen here extending from the center of the wheel:
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/WatchWorkshop/Vanessas%20Tech/Cal3135%20Escape%20Wheel/EscapeWheel7.jpg

Another critical area is the pivot on either end of the wheel staff (axle):

Here we can see that this Escape Wheel has considerable wear in the small end pivot, and therefore, needs replacing:
http://i484.photobucket.com/albums/rr202/WatchWorkshop/Vanessas%20Tech/Cal3135%20Escape%20Wheel/EscapeWheel2.jpg

[Skutt50]

Great info!

[sheldonsmith]

Vanessa,

Great series!

Just curious, do you know how long the escape wheel was running before it required replacement? Is this a part that is replaced in a normal 5 year service?

Thanks again and great post!

-Sheldon

[Lol-x]

Nice one Larry, but my eyes must be failing me because I cannot see the pallet wheel in the 3135 photo :banghead:

[Tools]

Nice one Larry, but my eyes must be failing me because I cannot see the pallet wheel in the 3135 photo :banghead:

Here ya' go Steve...........

61157

[cody p]

if i might add: quality calibers have shock protection for the escape wheel as well as the balance wheel - which can be seen in the 3135 photo where you see a kif shock protection unit above the escape wheel pivot.

[hwilsdorf]

well understood! Thanks TOOLS! :thumbsup:

[Boopie]

I'm also curious how old that part is.

When the (now soon-to-be departed) BH RSC did my interval service, they just billed me for the service (around $500) and specifically billed for a new crown ($50). Does that mean they kept all of the component parts of the movement intact, and that the ONLY new part is the crown? Or does it mean that the movement parts may be replaced as needed, but are included in the service fee?

[rcher]

Thanks Vanessa and Larry....keep the data coming. I love it. :cheers:

[mailman]

I'm also curious how old that part is.

When the (now soon-to-be departed) BH RSC did my interval service, they just billed me for the service (around $500) and specifically billed for a new crown ($50). Does that mean they kept all of the component parts of the movement intact, and that the ONLY new part is the crown? Or does it mean that the movement parts may be replaced as needed, but are included in the service fee?

I believe the movement parts are replaced as needed and are included as part of the service fee :cheers:

[JF23]

Thanks again Vanessa & Larry! These tutorials are top notch. :thumbsup:

[Latrodectus]

Thank you for the great pictures and outstanding information!

[Vanessa]

Vanessa,

Great series!

Just curious, do you know how long the escape wheel was running before it required replacement? Is this a part that is replaced in a normal 5 year service?

Thanks again and great post!

-Sheldon

This watch was 7 years old! He had a broken rotor axle for a while before he brought it in for service. I had to replace all the wheels, because the metal dust inside the movement had caused all the gears to wear out very fast.

It is not usual to have this kind of wear. I would say maybe 5% of all regular services? I really don't know for sure...

[JJ Irani]

Great info as always, Vanessa and Larry.

Thanks - JJ :cheers:

[Kokyuryoku]

Thanks again Vanessa & Larry! These tutorials are top notch. :thumbsup:

x 2 :thumbsup: Thanks

[BigHat]

These threads are the best stuff on the ENTIRE site !! Thanks for the hard work that's clearly evident !! :cheers:

[wanasub]

+1! I'm leaning lots. Please continue. :cheers: