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The Tekippe regulator.

Exploring precision timekeeping through Bernard Tekippe’s regulator clock, one component at a time.

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Chris’s own Tekippe regulator movement and escapement in the workshop
The buildReference materialVideos (10)

FROM MY WORKSHOP NOTES

Why the Tekippe regulator?

I first came across Bernard Tekippe’s regulator while sharing my tower-clock build on the NAWCC forum. The discussion led me to a design I wanted to understand—and, eventually, to build.

The feature that caught my attention is the escapement. Its pallets are carried directly by the pendulum, so the escape wheel gives its impulse directly to the pendulum. Tekippe’s design explores balancing circular error against escapement error in pursuit of accurate timekeeping.

This page brings together the reference material that helped me, followed by my own build videos. It is a record of a hobby workshop project, with the original resources kept close to hand.

Making the regulator

The series begins with the design and pendulum mounting bracket, then follows the pendulum, wheel cutting, pinions, layout and depthing. Later episodes show the escapement, casting a lead-filled brass weight and bringing the movement and cabinet together.

In my original workshop notes, the half-hour wheel is specified as five inches in diameter with 240 teeth. I calculated a module of about 0.529 and used the nearest cutter I had, module 0.55, with an eight-leaf pinion. That records the choice I made on this build; use the original drawings and check the geometry for your own clock.

Steve’s SolidWorks models and practical help have been invaluable. My friend Jason at Designer Oaks made the cabinet, and my son helped me assemble the clock at home. The cabinet-and-assembly video captures that stage, with the dial and hands still to make.

REFERENCE SHELF

The drawings, the thinking, the people.

The original article, photographs, sketches and discussions helped me make sense of this unusual clock. They are collected here for anyone following the build or researching their own.

Bernard Tekippe’s regulator articleNAWCC Watch & Clock Bulletin · April 2010 · PDFThe NAWCC regulator discussionDesign development, technical discussion and builders’ experienceSteve’s CAD work & eTimerVisit Steve’s website for his contact details and ask about the SolidWorks models

Sketches & dimensions

These sketches were taken from an original Tekippe clock; the measurements provide further frame and escapement details. Open an image to inspect the full-size drawing. The CAD models belong with Steve’s resources and are not included in these downloads.

Original Tekippe regulator sketch 1Sketch 1 Original Tekippe regulator sketch 2Sketch 2 Original Tekippe regulator sketch 3Sketch 3 Tekippe regulator frame and escapement measurementsDimensions & escapement

Bernard Tekippe’s 2010 York presentation

A visiting UK clockmaker recorded this presentation at the York convention in the USA. The original was difficult to hear; the version here has been processed with AI to reduce noise and improve intelligibility. Processing may alter the sound of the voice, so listen to it as a restored recording.

From the 2010 York convention

Photographs of the original regulator, its movement and case, preserved from the project’s reference collection. Select a photograph for a closer look.

Tekippe regulator reference photograph 1, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 2, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 3, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 4, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 5, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 6, York convention 2010
See all 22 reference photographs
Tekippe regulator reference photograph 7, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 8, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 9, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 10, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 11, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 12, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 13, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 14, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 15, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 16, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 17, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 18, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 19, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 20, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 21, York convention 2010Tekippe regulator reference photograph 22, York convention 2010

AT THE BENCH, ON FILM

Follow my regulator build.

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