Editor’s note: If you missed instalments one and two of our glossary, you might want to quickly check them out, because now we’re in part three, we’re starting to get a little more technical. We’re moving beyond the basic parts and starting to explore how they operate together. Tick tock. Escapement The escapement is a collection of components responsible for the time-keeping accuracy in a watch. These components work together to act as the timekeeping (or regulating) organ of the watch. Every watch needs an escapement to distribute the impulse from the power source (whatever it may be) to the hands (or time display) so that the time can be communicated to the wearer. There are several different types of escapement. Most of which are confined to history or concept watches. The most common type of escapement is called the ‘Swiss lever escapement’. The main components of this escapement are the escape wheel, the pallet, the balance wheel, and the hairspring. Pallet The pallet (or anchor as it is often referred to in Europe) is a T-shaped component that has a U-shaped notch on the tail of the T, and two faceted rubies (the entry and exit jewel/pallet) held in…
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