Modern Escapement Developments Part I
This article examines recent innovations in mechanical watch escapements, focusing on modern interpretations of classical designs. It highlights how independent watchmakers are revisiting and re-engineering historical escapement concepts, such as Breguet's natural escapement, to meet the demands of contemporary wristwatches. The piece contrasts industrial approaches with those of smaller, craftsman-focused manufacturers.
Rolex recently introduced a proprietary silicon escapement, and Breguet launched an advanced magnetic Swiss lever escapement.
Independent watchmakers are often revisiting Abraham-Louis Breguet’s natural escapement concept, with F.P. Journe, Kari Voutilainen, and Laurent Ferrier each producing their own versions.
Laurent Ferrier utilizes modern, nickel-phosphorus twin escape wheels with pillars for impulse faces and an etched silicon locking lever and roller, maintaining a geometry faithful to Breguet's original concept.
Kari Voutilainen's natural escapement features blued steel escape wheels and a central locking stone made from a single ruby with two locking faces, ensuring a draw effect on the lever.
F.P. Journe's natural escapement design includes a "High-Performance, Bi-Axial" (EBHP) escapement with two locking pallets that also serve as impulse faces, offering a potential secondary impulse at low amplitudes.
The natural escapement variant found in Urban Jürgensen UJ-2 and UJ-3 models is a slightly thinner version of Kari Voutilainen's design, requiring more gears in the train.