The Co-Axial Escapement

 

A watches movement is the beating heart of a watch, being relatively unchanged for centuries, until British watch maker George Daniel’s invented the Co-Axial Escapement.

Simply put the escapement of a mechanical watch is the heart of the watch and maintain the oscillations of the balance, which is the watches regulating mechanism. George had a vision of creating and escapement that reduced the amount of friction between the moving parts, meaning that the watch would need less servicing and a increased level of accuracy.

With any mechanical watch energy has to be transmitted through the movements components and into the oscillator. Unlike the Swiss movement the Co-Axial escapement transmits this energy through lateral impulses. This is done through a pushing motion rather than the sliding motion in a Swiss escapement. The Co-Axial escapement clockwise impulse is then given directly onto the pallet of the balance roller by the teeth of the escapement wheel, rather than the clockwise and anti-clockwise impulses in a Swiss lever escapement, resulting in a greater mechanical efficiency which ensures a more stable precision.

The Co-Axial escapement is used in conjunction with a free sprung balance wheel and can be adjusted using micro screws embedded in the circular balance wheel, which makes it much easier for watch makers.

Omega took this escapement technology from George Daniels and used it to reclaim their place as an industry giant, and since then have continued to improve and innovate this into their watches.