Q5. Calendar Work. (2 attempts) This question was not well answered. Descriptions were lacking in detail and sketches were poorly proportioned; the engagement of fingers, wheels and jumpers was often inaccurate.
Q6 Self-winding Watch. (5 attempts) This was generally well answered. Both the reverser wheel and rocking arm systems were well described and well understood. Supportive sketches clearly illustrated the action of the parts.
Q7 Lever Escapement errors. (8 attempts) Candidates had to explain poising, curb pin, escapement, temperature and centrifugal errors. Apart from curb pin error, which was well understood, there was limited understanding of the principles. Candidates struggled with this question with only two scoring above half marks.
Q8 Cylinder Escapement. (8 attempts) This was the best answered question on the paper with many candidates scoring very high marks. The action of the escapement and the construction of its component parts were well known and understood and well described, with good illustrative sketches. In some cases an amount of historical information, not asked for in the question, was included. Extra marks cannot be awarded for material that does not answer the question, even if it is correct.
Section
B - Short Answers. Many high marks were scored on this
section. The questions least well answered were; the main purpose of stop work
in a fusee watch (Q19) and, "What is a depth tool most commonly used
for?" (Q24). Several questions were answered correctly by all ten
candidates.
Unit 5 : Final Grade Part II : The
Practical Repair of Clocks
The examination
requires candidates to:-
1.
Submit
a Record of Repairs giving details of ten clock repairs
2.
Produce
a detailed drawing showing the construction of a Graham dead beat escapement.
3.
Servicing
a carriage clock movement
1 Record of Repairs
There was just one candidate who submitted a Record of
Repairs; it fulfilled all the requirements
2 Drawing showing construction of a Graham dead beat escapement
One candidate submitted a drawing of a deadbeat escapement; the standard
was very good.
3 Servicing a carriage clock movement
Three candidates entered this unit which requires
identifying and rectifying four faults which had been introduced and servicing
the movement. All three candidates
attained a satisfactory standard.
Faults in the platform, such as a distorted balance spring, were not generally noticed although those in the train, including a scored pivot, were identified. The refinishing of the scored pivots was a difficult task for two candidates. One candidate tried to turn a bent pivot true but removed excessive material so that the resultant pivot was very weak. One candidate failed to notice a badly distorted balance spring.
It is expected that candidates will correct faults in the platform escapement rather than replacing the whole escapement or a component. For example, pallet jewels should be adjusted instead of replacing the pallets.
The alignment of hands was good with good general cleanliness and an absence of finger prints although on one example oil was present along the rear edges of the dial
One candidate failed badly in achieving a suitable rate and all had slight errors in beat. Modern timing machines should enable the candidate to achieve a high standard of adjustment.
The standard of servicing for the platform escapement requires improvement. Cleanliness on end stones was poor which would lead to oil migration and lubrication was often inadequate; evidence of the “oil wedge” between escape wheel teeth and the pallet jewels was only present in one instance.
Unit 6 : Final Grade Part II : The
Theory of Clocks and Clock Restoration and Conservation
There was one candidate only for this paper. The candidate scored well on the four long questions chosen, as well as the short answer section. A high mark was obtained, showing a thorough knowledge of the syllabus and a detailed understanding of the relevant topics.
Unit 7 : Final Grade Part II : Practical
Clockmaking Techniques
Candidates are required to make an escape wheel and working dead-beat pallets on a plate from the design provided. The fly cutter used for cutting the teeth has also to be supplied to examiners.
All design drawings submitted were of a satisfactory standard but making deadbeat pallets calls for careful accurate work if the result is to be of a high standard.
It is important to ensure that dimensions, such as the wheel diameter, are correctly achieved if drop is to be correct; having adequate but not excessive drop is important for correct operation. Three candidates sat the Unit and two of these achieved a good standard. Unfortunately the escapement for one of these candidates did not operate due to insufficient drop to enable all of the teeth to escape. The third was not of a sufficient quality to gain a pass.
The escape wheels were well cut with uniform teeth but the standard of finish was poor throughout, especially on the crossings of the wheel. The finishing of edges of the plate was poor and graining of surfaces is an area which needs to be improved.
The finish of the acting faces of the pallets is most important but the standard was generally poor. The pallet faces should be square to the arbor but in one case they were not.
Unit 8 / 13 : Final Grade Part II : The
Practical Restoration / Conservation of Clocks / Watches
More detailed requirements were provided at the start of the year to give clear guidance to candidates on how to set out their work under four separate and distinct headings.
a. Appraisal
b. The Conservation /
Restoration Process
c. A Justification of the Conservation / Restoration Approach
d. Research
An example was also provided to enable candidates to emphasise the kind of approach and content that is required.
Six portfolios were assessed, one clock and five watch.
All candidates laid out their work in the four sections required by the guidance notes and the standard of presentation was generally good. The quantity of material was as required and excessive material was not submitted. This helped with assessing the work.
There were two very good portfolios, one clock and one watch, but the latter not reach PwM standard. These were the only candidates who had studied the BHI document ‘Servicing of Clocks and Watches’ sufficiently carefully to adequately justify their approach. Most candidates had attempted to demonstrate an understanding of the principles of conservation/ restoration but without the background information presented in the ‘Servicing of Clocks and Watches’ it was often unconvincing.
Many items lacked a full description of the pre-repair condition.
Choice of suitable materials is often discussed when making of watch or clock parts but usually without any justification of the resulting strength and application of the part.
In the Research section only one candidate provided a list of source references. No one made reference to the BHI document ‘Servicing of Clocks and Watches’. A list of references is a fundamental part of demonstrating that the research is sound.
Use of photographs was generally satisfactory but there were few diagrams.
It ought to be standard practice to give part numbers when relating to watch part spares, since this can be important in ordering spares from suppliers, but only one candidate did so.
Some candidates made components which showed clear signs of being hand made without any of the neat professional finish to be expected on watch parts. However, some novel approaches were noted, such as, making a rubbed in jewel by rounding the edges of a press fit jewel to provide a jewel of correct thickness.
The Examiners
exercise considerable care to ensure that there can be no error in the final
mark awarded. If, however, you
believe that a mistake has occurred then you may request that your paper be
assessed again. The charge for
remarking is £40.00 per unit, which must accompany the request. This should be received on or before
31st August 2007. The
fee will be returned if it is found that as a result of the appeal process the
outcome of the examination (i.e. Pass / Fail or Pass / Pass with Merit) is
changed.
Page address http://www.bhi.co.uk/exam.htm
Last Updated 3rd August 2007