Atmos Clock Manual
Inside The Manufacture: With Jaeger-LeCoultre In Switzerland, Pt. Inside The Manufacture With Jaeger-LeCoultre In Switzerland, Pt.
Jaeger Moon Phase Atmos Clock Manual
2: Secrets Of The Atmos Clock One of the most representative timepieces made by Jaeger-LeCoultre isn't a watch at all: it's the Atmos clock, which was first sold in 1929. The Atmos is a remarkable machine: a self-winding clock, powered not by movement, but by changes in room temperature. The winding system is so sensitive that Atmos clocks are capable of running almost indefinitely without human intervention, and on our visit last week with Jaeger-LeCoultre, at the manufacture in Le Sentier, we got reacquainted with Atmos, and found out even after all these decades, the history of the Atmos still has some surprises. The first prototype of the Atmos clock from 1928 is now in the Jaeger-LeCoultre museum in Le Sentier, and interestingly enough, it did not react to temperature changes, as modern Atmos clocks do, but rather, to changes in air pressure. Inside it was a tube partially filled with mercury, and the height of the column of mercury varied with air pressure, working in the same way as a mercury barometer.
The actual production Atmos clocks, however, did use temperature change to wind the mainspring, using a bellows with a combination of mercury and ammonia. In 1939, Jaeger-LeCoultre began using ethyl chloride instead (I've always assumed this was due to toxicity concerns, but the bellows is a closed system and it may be that the change was motivated by a desire for greater winding efficiency as well). The use of ethyl chloride has continued down to the present day; ethyl chloride is technically a central nervous system depressant but only in concentrations far higher than you'd ever be exposed to if your Atmos sprang a leak.
The picture up above shows Atmos clocks at JLC Le Sentier being 'run in' over a period of weeks so their rate can be checked; Atmos clocks can be very, very accurate but due to the delicacy of the oscillator system, it can take some time for them to settle down to a steady rate. Here we can see the guts of an Atmos clock; the bellows has been removed and you can see the winding system, naked to the light of day. As temperature changes, the ethyl chloride inside expands and contracts (ethyl chloride's boiling point is a cool 54.09 degrees Fahrenheit/12.27 degrees Celsius) and it's sensitive enough to temperature changes that a one degree temperature change is enough to provide two days of power reserve. This is partly due to the sensitivity of the gas itself to temperature, but it's also thanks to the extremely low energy required to keep the balance swinging. As the gas expands, it causes the bellows to expand, which pulls on the chain attached to the back plate, which tightens the mainspring. Winding only occurs when the bellows is expanding, not when it contracts. The Atmos clock uses something called a torsion pendulum to keep time.
The balance is a pretty massive circle of metal, suspended from a thin wire, and it makes a full cycle of one swing to the left, and one to the right, each minute. His extremely slow period is part of the reason such relatively small temperature changes can keep it wound; very little energy is expended, as there are no pivots, and the major causes of energy loss are air friction, and the physical interaction of the escapement with the balance. The suspension wire does the same thing that a balance spring does in a watch, and like a balance spring, if it's affected too much by temperature changes the clock will not run accurately. In Atmos clocks, the suspension wire is made of an alloy called Elinvar (so named because its elasticity is invariable – more or less – at typical ambient temperatures for watches and clocks). Elinvar, along with Invar, was discovered by Charles Guillaume, whose work we mentioned in our earlier story today on Jaeger-LeCoultre's tourbillons. This cabinet is a very important one for the manufacturing of Atmos clocks: it's the chamber where Elinvar wire is pre-aged. The basic formula for Elinvar is a matter of public record, but its reaction to temperature changes is a factor of grain size and orientation as well, both of which are determined by how the metal is worked.
Such trade secrets could make the difference between mediocre and excellent performance of a timepiece, whether a watch or clock. The elasticity of a newly made spring, or suspension wire in this case, can vary significantly over time, due to structural changes in the metal as it flexes and expands; artificially accelerating the aging process helps prevent unwanted variability in rate. There is something really wonderful about seeing these archaic, high precision machines, in their neat, quiet ranks, coming slowly to life. The Atmos clock is a delicate device but it makes the dynamic relationship between a mechanical timekeeper and its environment clearly visible as well.
In most cases, variations in temperature only have the potential to upset timekeeping but the Atmos takes one of the oldest enemies of precision timekeeping and makes it a virtually inexhaustible source of power, and its regal autonomy gives it real personality. At an entry level price of only $6,750, you get an almost unbelievable amount of character and history, and the Atmos passes the acid test of any timepiece – making you happier you bought it as you learn more about it, instead of feeling like you were suckered – with flying colors. See all the Atmos clocks in the, and check out our Read Part I of our visit to JLC in Le Sentier, and the Part 3 of this four part series looks at JLC's Don't have the HODINKEE App yet?
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. Mike's Atmos Clock Clinic's Swiss Jaeger LeCoultre Atmos Clock Service and Repair and Reutter Atmos Clock Repair and Service and Atmos Clock caliber 528 Service Page for 15 jewel Swiss Atmos clock repair and service and 13 jewel caliber 540 Swiss Atmos clock service and repair Mike's Atmos Clock Clinic's Web Site! I'm an expert concerning the clock!
I was an and a overhaul Instructor, but no longer and I have no alternatives. If you are curious about 400-day clock or the Atmos, then please join I have many Atmos parts for sale.
Jaeger Lecoultre Atmos Clock Manual
For more information please see:. Aftermarket Atmos parts are still available:. I'm experienced with all eight ( 8 ) caliber's (models) of Atmos clocks.
(Including the 50th and 150th anniversary special edition Atmos by Jaeger-LeCoultre) But what is an and what does it? I have Acrobat files for. What is it and how can you tell if it's still good. Instructions are also provided to replace it yourself. Tips on placing the Atmos.
This assumes that the clock is NOT running and you are a professional. The Web page of the Atmos clock is helpful, informative, and a MUST for any Atmos owner or retailer. This page lists most of the and their availability. This page lists most of the Atmos parts. This page lists most of the Atmos parts. Please visit my. My repair fees for the or anniversary clock.
Please have a look at for all other type clocks. It should be known that ALL work is done in house and by me personally. The exceptions are bellows refilling, dial refinishing and case refinishing. Mike's Clock Clinic 1600 Maryland Avenue Myrtle Point, OR Phone: 541-559-1090 or 877-286-6762 (Toll Free) My I'd prefer all contact via E-mail but if you must call, please do so.
Copyright © 1995-2018 Michael P. Murray & Mike's Clock Clinic This Web page has been accessed times Created on March the 4th of 1995 and last updated January 02, 2018.