Wednesday Hump Day Fun Fact # 45 !!! George Daniels (1926-2011 pictured) was one of the greatest names in British watchmaking. Daniels is known for his invention of the co-axial escapement (or ‘Daniels Escapement’), patented in 1980. This is a modification of the lever escapement with some features of the detent escapement and is considered by some to be one of the most significant horological advancements in watch movement design since horologist Thomas Mudge invented the lever escapement in the 18th century. The co-axial escapement functions with a system of three pallets that separates the locking function from the impulse, thus virtually eliminating the sliding friction component of the lever escapement (i.e., the sliding of the pallet stones over the teeth of the escape wheel) thereby eliminating the need for lubrication of the pallets. What sliding friction remains is due to the impossibility of maintaining an exact tangential geometry throughout the duration of an impulse. The co-axial escapement has been used by Omega since 1999. Daniels’ collaborator Roger Smith continues the traditional methods learned from his mentor in his Roger W Smith brand.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:59:02 +0000
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