Credits: Article and images by Ian Skellern @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/04/18/how-a-mechanical-watch-works-with-simple-to-understand-animations/
In theory, a mechanical watch is very simple: it’s ‘simply’ a spring (the mainspring) unwinding at a constant rate with hands attached to gears that rotate as the spring unwinds. Easy!
If only.
The ticking you hear in a mechanical watch movement is the sound of the pallet jewels on the escapement engaging and disengaging with the escape wheel as they allow the mainspring to unwind a little at a time, and imparting a little energy to the balance wheel to keep it oscillating.
I highly recommend anyone at all interested in mechanical watches to watch this video below by the Animagraffs YouTube channel as it clearly highlights how a mechanical watch works and provides a deeper appreciation of the skill involved in making a precise and reliable movement.
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How Watches Work by John McGonigle of Oileán Watches (Video)
The Antikythera Mechanism: Predicting Astronomical Positions and Eclipses 2,000 Years Ago (Video)
Credits: Article and images by Ian Skellern @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/04/18/how-a-mechanical-watch-works-with-simple-to-understand-animations/
