If you enjoy browsing flea markets, you have surely come across an old silver pocket watch marked “Cylinder escapement”. This historic mechanism has tremendous charm and tells the story of watchmaking's democratisation in the 19th century.

The principle was laid down by Thomas Tompion around 1695, then refined and popularised by George Graham from 1725; in the 19th century, mass production in Switzerland and France made it the escapement of the everyday watch. Unlike the modern Swiss lever, which is a free (or “detached”) escapement, the cylinder escapement operates on “resting friction”: the escape wheel rubs constantly against the balance staff, which is shaped like a tiny hollow tube (the cylinder). Although less precise and more prone to wear than our contemporary calibres, this system equipped millions of watches around the world.

Restoring such a piece requires deep watchmaking knowledge and gentle handling, so as not to break these old components, which have often become impossible to find.

Fascinated by watchmaking history and restoration? Build your theoretical and technical knowledge of antique horology with Décalibre's complete programme.

Historic escapements make more sense once the modern lever is mastered: see the escapement modules of our online watchmaking course and the study method in how to learn watchmaking online.