TYPES OF ESCAPEMENTS
The escapement serves several main functions. First, it stops the gear train when the balance wheel is in its free oscillation phase. Periodically (between 5 and 10 times per second), it releases the gear train and imparts brief impulses to the regulating organ. Thus, the energy stored in the mainspring is not released all at once. These controlled bursts of energy help to sustain the oscillations of the regulating organ (the balance wheel-hairspring).
Various escapements have been developed for specific purposes and can be classified into different categories, depending on the lift angle of the regulating unit, and in particular on its supplementary arc.
RECOIL ESCAPEMENTS
In this type of escapement, the escape wheel experiences a slight recoil when locked. However, it creates isochronism disruptions which affect the watch’s precision.
- Verge escapement
- Crown-wheel escapement
FRICTIONAL REST ESCAPEMENTS
In this type of mechanism, one of its parts is attached to the regulating organ and remains in constant contact with the escape wheel when the escapement is locked.
- Cylinder escapement
- Duplex Escapement
DETACHED ESCAPEMENTS
This type of escapement is designed to minimize friction and maintain better timekeeping accuracy by limiting the direct contact between the escapement components and the regulating unit (balance wheel) to only brief moments during each oscillation cycle.
By minimizing the interference between the escapement and the balance wheel, detached escapements offer greater precision compared to other types of escapements.
- Swiss lever escapement
- English lever escapement
- Detent escapement
- Robin Escapement
- Tangential Impulse Escapement
- Co-axial escapement
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