Di-axial Escapement

Di-axial Escapement

Di-axial Impact Escapement Wrist Watch

Q: What are the differences between di-axial escapement and modern lever escapement in principle?

A: The basic operation principle of modern lever escapement is that the friction between the escapement wheel and the escapement fork drives the escapement fork to general the motive for swinging, which makes the balance wheel to rotate, while the basic operation principle of di-axial escapement is that the escapement wheel impacts the escapement fork gem tile to drive the escapement fork to rotate the balance wheel. Theoretically speaking, the drive by impact is more energy-saving than the drive by friction, and works normally under the environment of insufficient lubrication, and the fork gem tile can even be free from lubrication.

Q: What are the differences between di-axial escapement and co-axial escapement on structure?

A: The operation principles of di-axial escapement and co-axial escapement are both “drive by impact”. The co-axial escapement integrates the lock gear fork tile and the impact fork tile on the same escapement fork, and thus the double plates of the escapement wheel can only be designed to be a small plate plus a big plate, while the di-axial escapement isolates the lock gear fork tile from the impact fork tile of the escape fork, and a separate axial is designed for the impact fork tile, as only in this way, can the double plates of the escape wheel be in the same size and shape. Therefore, the di-axial escapement has the merits of more balanced left and right drive and more reliable operation.

Q: What are the features of di-axial escapement?

A: The di-axial escapement absorbs and highlights some of the essential theories in the history of watch about the three escapements, including: a) That it keeps the lock gear function of modern lever escapement, and designs two impact fork tiles to realize the function of driving the balance wheel to rotate. b) That it absorbs and innovates the theory of duplex escapement, and functions as the left impact fork tile. c) That it absorbs and innovates the hairspring reset theory of detent escapement, and functions as the right impact fork tile to drive the balance wheel. The di-axial escapement mainly improves the functions in three aspects, including: 1.The double plates of the escapement wheel in the same size avoid the highly probable collision and friction between the upper escapement wheel and the top gear because of the small diameter, short impact distance, low impact force and small gap between the escape wheel gear and the impact fork tile. 2.The double plates of the escapement wheel in the same size enable more balanced pace of the left and right escape wheel operation 3.The double plates of the escapement wheel in the same size have even abrasion after long-term operation. Therefore, the di-axial escapement is a kind of practical escapement characterized by high efficiency, reliable operation and good applicability.

Q: Do you think it’s necessary to make the di-axial escapement so much more complex than the level escapement and co-axial escapement with the only purpose to optimize the escapement function?

A: Mechanical watch has a development history of over 400 years, and its technology has already matured. So there is nearly no space for improving its performance. For example, theoretically, tourbillon is designed only to reduce the gravity; the design complex but worthwhile. So is the di-axial escapement. For it has been proven that the dis-axial escapement can improve the time keeping performance. In addition, the di-axial escapement is visually strong and has high ornamental value, very suitable to be used in high-end watches. That makes it more worthwhile even with complex design.

Q: The bi-axial escapement seems so complex, so the maintenance will be more difficult?

A: The basic working principle of the di-axial escapement is to isolate the lock gear fork tile from the impact fork tile on the escape fork and design it as two parts to achieve different functions with the form of two axles. The difficulty of the after-sales maintenance won’t increase for the failure occurs on a separate part.