Mechanical Ponderings: Embracing the Detent Escapement in a Time-Only Journey

An early prototype

For quite some time now, my watchmaking path has been deeply rooted in crafting time-only pieces—simple, elegant, and focused on pure horological beauty.

But recently, I’ve felt a tug to venture deeper into the world of escapements. In fact, this journey took root back during my school time, when I had the incredible opportunity to learn from the legendary Christian Klings.

Christian’s mechanical knowledge left me genuinely in awe—especially when he introduced me to the mosquito detent escapement, a tiny pivoted marvel that captured my imagination. Now, as I revisit this inspiration, I’m not just exploring a new escapement for the sake of mechanics. I see it as a way to reinforce and evolve the design language I’ve carefully built over the years.

A bit of history: the detent escapement itself is a fascinating chapter in horology. Originally developed in the 18th century, it became renowned for its incredible precision in marine chronometers. Unlike other escapements, the detent escapement has a unique way of releasing the gear train, reducing friction and enhancing accuracy—qualities that made it a favorite among precision timepieces of its era.

What excites me most is that this time-only watch with a detent escapement isn’t meant to be a limited series. Instead, it’s going to become a staple part of the watches I create throughout my career. And to make it even more special, I’ll be developing some unique features specific to my own watches. I’ll share these innovations in upcoming posts, so stay tuned for a glimpse into the details that will set my detent escapements apart.

So consider this the first of many posts where I’ll share how a spark from my school days is shaping the future of my watchmaking.

This adventure is only just beginning.