Quote:
Originally Posted by vliberman
Why is natural escapement a big deal? Like Omega size big deal?
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Bigger than Omega.
The natural escapement goes back to A.L. Breguet himself. It's a double wheel escapement that provides double direct (rather than the sliding impulses of a swiss escapement) impulses and can therefore be lubricant free. It requires very fine tolerances in manufacture and assembly, higher than were possible in A.L. Breguet's time, as well as careful consideration of shock protection. It's close to an ideal mechanical escapement, but not easy to design and produce. Only a top watchmaker would attempt it; LF, FPJ, Voutilainen, Frodsham and a few others have done it.
The co-axial escapement of George Daniels (and wouldn't be possible without the help of Derek Pratt) has one direct and one indirect impulse, requiring lubricant as a micro shock absorption in the escapement. Omega, as we all know, adapted a varient of Daniel's design. It's very nice, but a step back from the natural escapement. Grand Seiko's new escapement is worth a close look as it is on the level of the co-axial.