With grasshopper escapement, after John Harrison
The Skeleton Wall Clock with grasshopper escapement, after John Harrison, is constructed of English walnut - plain and burr, Box wood, Lignum Vitae, Pitch Pine and yew. An early example of this escapement has run continuously at Brocklesbury Park for some 280 years, having had only one overhaul during this period.
The front and back dials are in laminated walnut, the wheel-work in laminated box, providing stability and
considerable strength in all directions. The arbors (axles) are in lignum vitae, an exceedingly strong
wood with natural lubricating properties. The top two arbors and grasshopper arbor each have a brass shaft
glued axially to obviate movement from humidity. All of this contributes to the precision of this time piece,
which can be expected to maintain accuracy to within ten seconds per week (although the example shown here has
consistently maintained an accuracy of two to three seconds per week).
For more information about this remarkable timepiece, please contact David directly.