Dr. Ito's Complete Dissection of Mechanical Watches!! Vol. 54 - Why Has the Swiss Lever Escapement Been Dominant for Over 200 Years?

This column discusses mechanical watches from an engineer's perspective. For its 54th installment, we will be discussing:

"Why has the Swiss lever escapement been dominant for over 200 years?"

We will be discussing this topic.

Previously, I explained Rolex's newly developed "Dynapulse Escapement," but unfortunately, none of the new Rolex models announced on April 14th featured the Dynapulse Escapement... (Tears)

Let's look forward to new models next year. This time, I will explain why the Swiss lever escapement has remained dominant for such a long time.

What is a Swiss lever escapement?

An "escapement" is a device that converts the energy of the mainspring into a "constant rhythm."

The Swiss lever escapement uses an anchor-shaped part called a "lever" and a specially shaped gear called an "escape wheel." As you can see, it is very simple. Most mechanical watches manufactured today use it.

Why has it been used for so long?

There are four main reasons why the Swiss lever escapement has been used for so long.

① Extremely durable

A watch is something that runs every day. The Swiss lever escapement offers:

・Simple structure
・Strong resistance to impact
・Long-term stability

In other words, "it works even if handled a bit roughly." This is a major factor in its long-standing dominance.

② Stable accuracy

If you want to know the exact time, you might look at your smartphone or a radio-controlled clock. This may be common sense in modern times. However, as long as a luxury mechanical watch is a "watch," it is still required to have stable accuracy.

The Swiss lever escapement is resistant to temperature changes, changes in position, and changes in lubrication over time, and can be said to have relatively stable accuracy.

③ Can be mass-produced

This is a particularly important point: no matter how excellent a mechanism is, it is meaningless if it takes enormous cost and time to produce.

In this regard, the Swiss lever offers:

・Easy to manufacture parts
・Established adjustment methods
・Worldwide expertise

There are clear reasons why it works as an industry.

④ Repair technicians available worldwide

Mechanical watches are meant to be used for decades with maintenance. This means that systems with a well-established global repair network are more likely to spread.

The Swiss lever, thanks to its simple structure, has the advantage that any watchmaker can work with it, and parts are easily accessible.

The essence of the Swiss lever escapement

There are various excellent escapements, such as the "Dynapulse" that I introduced previously, and Omega's "Co-Axial" that has been put into practical use.

However, it was a fact that all of them had some weaknesses, such as being complex and difficult to adjust, or being new and lacking a proven track record.

In contrast, the Swiss lever escapement can be said to be "the only mechanism that scores above average in all categories."

・Accuracy → Good
・Durability → High
・Repairability → High
・Mass productivity → High

To compare it to cars, it's like a "Toyota car" with few breakdowns and a global maintenance network.

Personally, I am watching to see how widely Rolex's "Dynapulse Escapement" will spread in the future, but it is unlikely to completely displace the Swiss lever's market share.

Summary

What did you think?

The fact that a technology developed over 200 years ago is still widely used today is truly remarkable, and perhaps something rarely seen in other industries.

While rapidly fluctuating "market prices" are important, it's also enjoyable to sometimes reflect on "why mechanical watches continue to be loved around the world."

I hope this article has provided valuable information for you and sparked even a little interest in luxury watches! Also, if you have any questions, please feel free to ask us directly, and we will be happy to answer them thoroughly. We look forward to your visit and inquiries.

Stay tuned for the next installment! See you then!