BACKLASH
Backlash is, in theSwiss lever escapement, the angular distance travelled by thePallets (lever) between the moment when the tooth of theEscape wheel leaves the impulse plane of aImpulse of aPallet stone and the moment when theRod (baguette shape) of the pallets comes to rest against one of theBanking pins (or the detent pin). During this short travel, the pallets continue on their momentum without receiving any energy: this “path” is in a sense lost, hence its name. It is the safety angle of the pallets. ItsRegulation / Adjustment is among the essential operations in fine-tuning the escapement: excessive backlash wastes energy and reduces the Amplitude, while insufficient backlash compromises operating safety. The balance between the backlash, the rest, and the Drop (impact) determines the efficiency and reliability of the escapement. Mastering it requires a careful analysis carried out by the Horologist (watchmaker) to optimize the heart of the Movement.
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