A Technical Perspective – The Omega Co-Axial Escapement Fully Explained

The idea sprouted some 40 years ago in the genius mind of a British master craftsman, who worked his way up to become one of the greatest watchmakers of the 20th century. Following numerous attempts to find an escapement that would perform better than the century-old lever escapement, George Daniels eventually designed the “Co-Axial”. This superlative escapement is now at the heart of the vast majority of Omega’s watches and a key element in meeting the remarkable quality requirements set by the brand.

The escapement is without doubt one of the most critical parts of a watch, the brain of the movement if you will, although some consider it the heart. It is the device that determines at what speed the energy from the main spring is released. It works in conjunction with the oscillator, giving impulses to power it. In return, it is regulated by the oscillator. Its role is critical in the ongoing quest for greater precision, stability and durability of a watch movement.

Co-Axial escapement (left) vs. Swiss lever escapement (right)

The lever escapement, which is used in the vast majority of watches, was invented some 250 years ago by Thomas Mudge. Although it has been adopted universally, it has one fundamental flaw: oil. Its sliding friction makes optimal lubrication crucial, which compromises the stability of the watch rates over time. Over the past several years, the development of new escapements has once again become the new frontier in horological technological breakthroughs – a crowning glory for the most skill-full and innovative watchmakers – take a look at our technical guide focussed on the escapement.

However, this research field really started some 50 years ago, when George Daniels questioned the uncontested preeminence of the lever escapement. After numerous attempts, he successfully developed a superb piece of horological ingenuity, the Co-Axial escapement. Still today, his brainchild is the only other escapement produced at industrial scale, other than the Swiss lever escapement of course.

George Daniels traveled multiple times to Switzerland to present his invention to several brands. At the time, the watch industry was experiencing an authentic revolution with the arrival of electronics and quartz was celebrated as the future of watchmaking. He first presented drawings of his escapements in a pocket watch but without success. Fortunately, Daniels was not one to be easily deterred.

The first application of the Co-Axial escapement into a wristwatch dates back to 1974/75, when George Daniels hand-produced the components to fit his Co-Axial escapement into the caliber 1045 of his personal Omega Speedmaster Mark 4.5 – a piece of history, now exhibited at the Omega Museum in Biel. He made a second wristwatch prototype (a thinner wristwatch) and he again presented it to several of the most prominent Swiss brands.

George Daniels’ first prototype watch with a Co-Axial escapement, his personal Omega Speedmaster Mark 4.5, with modified caliber 1045 (Credits: Peter Chong)

Still, it was only in the early 1990s that Daniels would find support and an optimal framework within which to develop and industrialize his escapement with Omega, a brand famed for its unique history and reputation in the field of chronometry. The ultimate determining factor of this success however, came down to the personal backing of Nicolas G. Hayek, Chairman of Omega’s parent company, the Swatch Group, the Swiss watchmaking industrial powerhouse.

Technical Guide

The Co-Axial escapement functions with a system of three pallets that separate the locking function from the impulse, with the pushing, as opposed to the sliding friction of the lever escapement, resulting in greater mechanical efficiency. The critical virtue of this escapement is the virtual elimination of all sliding friction, theoretically resulting in greater accuracy over time and longer service intervals. The direct impulse to the roller of the balance by the teeth of the escapement wheel means greater mechanical efficiency, hence more stable precision. Watch the following video to get a clear understanding of its function.

The first movement to be commercialized with the Co-Axial escapement was the calibre 2500, launched on the market in 1999 into a specific watch, the renewed De Ville. Since then, Omega has introduced the Co-Axial escapement into almost the entirety of its collections – with the notable exception of the Speedmaster Moonwatch, which has remained virtually unchanged to the exact standards approved by NASA in 1965, including its movement (calibre 321, later 861 and 1861).

The original caliber 2500 was a modified ETA 2892 fitted with a Co-Axial escapement (which still ticks at 28,800vph), while the Omega Co-Axial chronograph presented in 2003 was based on a Frédéric Piguet movement. Omega soon, however, undertook the development of its own purpose-built calibers to fully optimize the potential of the Co-Axial technology. Among other enhancements, additional space was made for the escapement, to optimize the kinetic chain and introduce some of the latest technical advances from the brand.

Co-Axial 8500/1 series – 2007

• Gent watches.
• Self-winding movement with Co-Axial escapement. Free sprung balance wheel, Si14 silicon hairspring, 2 barrels mounted in series, automatic winding in both directions.
• Diameter : 29.00 m / 13 ‘’’
• Power reserve: 60 hours
• Jewels : 39
• Frequency : 25’200vph

Different movements based on this caliber, in particular: caliber 8508, first Omega caliber certified resistant to magnetic fields greater than 1.5 tesla (15’000 gauss). Caliber 8900/1 Master chronometer with METAS certification.

Note: the Si14 balance spring was introduced in 2008 with the annual calendar and then in 2011 with the 8500/8501.

Co-Axial 8520/1 series – 2008

• Ladies watches.
• Self-winding movement with Co-Axial escapement. Free sprung balance wheel, Si14 silicon hairspring, automatic winding in both directions.
• Diameter : 20 mm / 9’’’
• Power reserve: 50 hours
• Jewels : 28
• Frequency : 25’200vph

Co-Axial 9300/1 series – 2011

• Chronograph
• Self-winding movement with Co-Axial escapement. Free sprung balance wheel, Si14 silicon hairspring, 2 barrels mounted in series, automatic winding in both directions. Column-wheel chronograph with vertical clutch.
• Diameter : 32mm / 14’’’
• Power reserve: 60 hours
• Jewels : 54
• Frequency : 28’800vph

Different movements based on this caliber, in particular: chronograph caliber 9900 with METAS certification (watch our video about Metas here)

Co-Axial 8801/8800 – 2016.

• Self-winding movement with Co-Axial escapement. Free sprung balance wheel, Si14 silicon hairspring, automatic winding in both directions.
• Diameter : 26mm / 11.5’’’
• Power reserve: 55 hours
• Jewels : 35
• Frequency : 25’200vph
• METAS certification (watch our video about Metas here)

Interestingly, the movements of the 8500 and 8520 series run at an unusual frequency (25’200 vibrations per hour) which was determined by Omega to be optimal. So too does the caliber 2500, although it was originally introduced with a 28’800vph frequency. The 8800 runs at 25’200vph. Finally, the Chronograph 9300 series runs at 28,800 v/h. Naturally, Co-Axial calibers have been incorporating Omega’s latest technical advances and enhancements as these were introduced.

• Silicon technology – for the balance spring (Si14). The purpose is to take advantage of the amagnetic properties of silicon, as well as its stability and resilience. The precision in manufacturing and the possibility to perfectly shape the geometry of the spring are outstanding.
• Antimagnetic technology – in particular, staff and pivots made of NivaGauss, anti-shock system (Nivachoc) made from anamorphous material, etc.
• Sedna Gold – a new gold alloy that blends gold, copper and palladium and ensures that its rose gold luster is particularly long lasting.
• Barrels: the barrels are DLC coated inside to reduced friction.
• Certification: COSC certification (now for all Co-Axial movements). Antimagnetic certification. METAS certification.

The Co-Axial production-line in Villeret reveals a lot about the meticulous obsession with quality at Omega. Forget the charm of the independent watchmaker’s workbench here (which is good thing, as this is naturally not the purpose of a brand such as Omega). State-of-the-art manufacturing technology and processes are used throughout to ensure constant, optimal quality within Omega’s strict tolerances and requirements. The machine park is impressive. So are the manufacturing facilities from which you can tell that performance is really one of the cornerstones of Omega.

This allows Omega to offer an above industry average 3-year warranty on their watches with Co-Axial escapements – 4 years when a Si14 hairspring is used and for the caliber 8500/8501.

Despite the clinical modernity of the production process, the handwork on the movement is substantial. The resulting movement finish is really nice and clean with distinctive features such as the emblematic Geneva waves with arabesque pattern radiating from the center of the movement, or the gold rotor and full balance bridge on the luxury versions (used for gold/precious metal watches). Superb aesthetics and performance…