Proper Atmos fork position for a high amplitude clock 

[@rogerparkington3837]

Thankyou for this brilliant video which I have watched many times. I gave my sister a 528-8 for her Golden wedding and just like you said after a while it just stopped. I was afraid to touch it as they have a bad reputation in the hands of amateurs like me. After watching your videos I felt brave enough to tackle it. All went well, cleaned it in the ultrasound, watched the jewels under a microscope and I put it all together without any problems until the fork. Oh that fork! I have lost count of the number of times that I have taken it all apart to poise and check it. Now, finally I have it running at about 400 degrees. Only one problem. When it goes to the left it engages beautifully just like the video! But when it goes to the right it's almost as if the roller is pulling the fork across and the after it releases it gives a little jump before touching the guard pin. As it is running I am afraid to touch it again, but is there anything else I can do? You must have a very good camera because I just cannot get to see the pallet action as clearly as you show. Cheers, Roger.

[@watchguyAtmos]

Congratulations on tackling your overhaul. You’re almost there, you just need to do one more important step. You know you have an issue with the fork because you’ve installed the movement a number of times, made adjustments and finally have it running at 400° amplitude. Of course after a few minutes it stops. Your defect has been narrowed down to the fork. I don’t know if you have manipulated the fork at all when it has been installed on the clock. If you have, I’m confident any adjustments you made may have knocked it out of poise. I know this because you told me the impulse roller is dragging when it moves to the right. That skipping motion you have noticed with the fork is because the weight of the fork is out of balance and it’s not properly engaging the pallet stones. You’re going to have to take the movement off of the clock and poise the fork and reinstall it. Make very small adjustments to the fork once it’s installed in the clock. If you get a chance, please post this question on a Facebook group I just created. Snap a few pictures or take a video. This will help others repair their clocks. facebook.com/share/DG6N6ApfqKQyzEZw/?mibextid=K8Wfd2

[@willelliott5052]

Glad to find this video. I just bought my first Atmos clock as a consignment sale at my local watch and clock repair shop. It was serviced, but to what extent I don't know. The amplitude is around 360 degrees. Is that something that should concern me?

[@DavidMucci-v8k]

Excellent video and explanation. Increasing amplitude is the normal struggle even after a servicing. Most of mine run at least 450-540 after servicing but I have one 544 that seems very happy at 375-400 and I am loathe to keep fiddling with it. I am sure it has something to do with the fork. I am currently struggling with a 519 than runs so strong that within a couple of hours the roller is touching the back of the fork on both sides. This causes the clock to run fast. I have made every adjustment to the fork I can think of but no luck. Also Lessening the tension on the roller spring and that helps a bit but within 2 or 3 hours it is right back to it again. What do you for a clock with far too much balance amplitude?

[@watchguyAtmos]

The only thing I can think of is adding some weights to the balance. This will also slow the clock down and may require you to shorten the suspension spring length with the regulator.

[@pp_doc3962]

Thank you for the great video! 🙏 The pallet for of my 519 is not centered. It moves from 11:30 to 1:30 position. It also runs a bit slow but fortunately it doesn’t stop. I adjusted the the regulator and will see how it goes. Any suggestions? Thank you sir in advance.

[@watchguyAtmos]

If I’m understanding you correctly, it appears that your fork may be out of poise. This is a task that can be fairly difficult to accomplish. You will need to completely remove the movement from the frame and take the movement apart to access the fork and poise it.

[@pp_doc3962]

Thank you for the reply. Just got bitten by the Atmos bug. Bennn collecting wristwatches for about 30 years aand the Atmos has always fascinated me. 🙏