Co-Axial Escapements in Omega Watches

Luxury Swiss watchmaker Omega has recently been valued as the most desirable watch brand marketed within China, and it is not hard to see why. Omega has earned its status as one of the premier creators of luxury timepieces in the world, and has never shied away from pushing the boundaries of performance whenever the opportunity has arisen. Omega boasts watches that have both ascended to the heights of space, and withstood the descent into the depths of the sea, and their many endorsements, such as the Olympics and James Bond 007, only serve to crown this impressive portfolio of achievements.

The highest qualities of performance have always formed an integral part of the Omega watches brand label, and few of their undertakings have exemplified this quite as aptly as the now ubiquitous Omega “Co-Axial”mechanism . The inception of the Co-Axial movement first took shape in 1999, and the components within this new instrument represented a considerable departure from those that were used within the then primarily favoured Swiss lever escapement. The escapement of the Co-Axial is formed from a balance roller that carries both a pallet and an impulse pin, an anchor accompanied by three pallets, and a coaxial escapement wheel with three levels that comprises the co-axial wheel, pinion and transmission pinion; a technological marvel which is then painstakingly connected to both the gear train and the intermediary wheel.

Any development in technology is expected to proffer its own distinct set of advantages, and the Co-Axial certainly does not disappoint in this regard. The traditional Swiss level escapement required finely tuned levels of lubrication to achieve optimal levels of performance, but the Co-Axial is prone to no such deficiency. Energy is smoothly diffused through lateral impulses, and the reduction of the contact surface coupled with a revolutionary new pushing motion serves to diminish the levels of friction within the escapement to such minimal levels that wear and tear is almost negated. The Co-Axial also improves upon its predecessor by utilising a clockwork impulse that directly affects the pallet of the balance roller through the toothed escapement wheel, meaning that greater levels of mechanical precision can be perpetually expected. Furthermore, the free sprung balance that is used to complement the Co-Axial allows a watchmaker to adjust the watches rate via a balance wheel with unmatched ease, and this same design also raises shock resistant capabilities to exemplary heights.  What's more, the Omega Co-Axial also comes with a warranty of four years, longer service intermissions and pinpoint chronometric capabilities, meaning that it is, quite simply, a paragon within the world of horology. 

Omega was the only brand name to recognise the potential of the original Co-Axial escapement, but their faith in the mechanism has not been misplaced. All bar one of the range of prestigious timepieces that have been fashioned by Omega in 2013 include the Co-Axial escapement, with only the original Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch standing apart due to its established historical significances. Omega has constantly striven to deliver the highest quality advances in mechanical watch movements, and their adoption of the Co-Axial, hailed by some as the only true advancement in watch movements for more than 100 years, perfectly typifies their commitment towards this value.

At Banks Lyon we have a great appreciation for both the proud heritage of the horological industry, and also new innovations that strive to refine the boundaries of existing technology to ever greater extremities. For more information regarding our extensive range of Omega watches, please pay a visit to our Facebook and Twitter pages, or contact a member of our team for further assistance.

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