What is a Mechanical Watch Movement?

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A mechanical wristwatch movement (also referred to as a 'calibre' or 'caliber') is the mechanism located in the case of the watch that is responsible for powering it, keeping precise time and carrying out its functions. A movement is either manually wound or self-winding (automatic).

close up photo of a rolex mechanical watch movement
What is a Mechanical Watch Movement? (photo: Rolex)
A manual or hand-wound watch movement is powered by the winding of the crown. The crown winds the mainspring inside, which is the power source of the movement. That power moves through the escapement and is regulated by the oscillator. The oscillator is like the heart of the watch, but instead of pumping blood into the circulatory system it regulates the frequency of energy coming from the mainspring through the escapement.

Rolex innovated the self-winding Perpetual rotor in 1931 to power their wristwatch movements without requiring the wearer to wind the crown. Instead, a semi-circular weighted rotor pivots back and forth as the watch moves on the wrist to wind up the mainspring. The video below does a good job of illustrating the inner workings of mechanical watch movements - both manual and self-winding - as well as quartz movements, which are battery powered.

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Rolex's Patented Chronergy Escapement

.Tech.
Over the past 15 years, Rolex has developed and patented the Chronergy escapement in their manufacturing plant, Manufacture des Montres Rolex in Bienne, Switzerland. This escapement is currently used in the 3255 and 3235 movements. 

rolex patented chronergy mechanical watch escapement
Rolex's Patented Chronergy Escapement (Photo: Rolex)
The escapement, shown in the photo above, receives energy from the mainspring and transmits it to the oscillator, which is the part of the movement that helps regulate the flow of energy and keep the time. This part of the movement is also responsible for the ticking noise that mechanical watches make. Without it, the mainspring and oscillator will stop working after a few moments.

There are four parts of the escapement: the escapement wheel, pallet fork, pallet bridge and the roller. These tiny parts are required to be extremely precise, making it one of the most difficult parts of the watch to manufacture. Synthetic rubies and patented lubricants are used to minimize friction in the metal parts of the escapement so that it can last long without deteriorating.

Rolex developed a new component of the escapement called Chronergy. Their new version of the Swiss lever escapement uses geometry and innovation to improve efficiency by 15%. The pallet fork and escapement wheel are made of nickel-phosphorus to protect them from magnetic interference. The escapement is also cut out to reduce its weight and reduce the effects of inertia, also adding to its efficiency.

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