The heart of any mechanical timepiece is the escapement, which through a series of gears, wheels, and a pallet fork, allows stored energy in the main barrel to be transferred in a consistent and controlled motion so the hands on the dial move forward at a controlled rate. Since the beginning of time, mankind has sought to keep track of time and as early as the 3rd century BC, written records mentioned liquid-driven mechanisms and water clocks. Early Chinese Tang (618-907AD) and Song (960-1279) dynasty records indicated the use of water powered mechanisms, and later in the 13th century, European records documented the use of mercury-based escapements. However, it was not until the 14th century the first true mechanical clock escapement was developed, and technical advancements over the next centuries would continue to lead to improved reliability and accuracy.

In 1750, Thomas Mudge created the lever escapement, which became the leading improvement to clock and pocket watch timekeeping capabilities with a steady, even rate allowing for greater accuracy, and found in over 99% of mechanical watches used to the present day. In the nearly 260 years since Mudge first developed the lever escapement, there had been little change or improvement until the late 20th century with the development of an all-new “Co-Axial escapement” developed by one of the preeminent horologists of the 20th century, George Daniels.

Declaring his invention “the Co-Axial escapement was the first practical new watch escapement in 250 years,” Daniels’ Co-Axial mechanism was constructed with three pallets as a means to separate the locking function from the impulse. The clockwise and anti-clockwise impulses of the lever escapement were delivered indirectly, which result in significant energy loss, whereas with the Co-Axial movement, the clockwise impulse is given directly to the pallet. This design relied on radial friction, as opposed to sliding friction found with lever escapements, giving the escapement greater reliability, mechanical efficiency, and improved accuracy. Daniels first application of his Co-Axial escapement design was in 1974 when he independently modified the caliber 1045 of his personal Omega Speedmaster Mark 4.5. It was not until the 1990s that Daniels found support and enthusiasm for the new mechanism from Omega Chairman Nicolas Hayek. Working with Omega’s watchmakers, Daniels created the caliber 2500 – the first commercial movement to be fitted with a Co-Axial escapement. Launched in 1999 within an all-new DeVille collection, the present set of three gold wristwatches were the very first models to feature the Co-Axial escapement and is the first set publicly offered at auction. Remarkably, the set comes accompanied with a signed letter from George Daniels himself. Produced in a limited number of only three sets, the watches are skeletonized (caliber 2402) to allow the wearer to see the marvel of this invention. The watches are presented in excellent condition and are the first serially-produced timepieces to feature Daniels revolutionary escapement. Since its release in 1999, the Co-Axial escapement has become widely employed throughout Omega’s collection. Of particular note are the tiny blued steel indexes and matching handset, meticulously cleaned and then exposed to an open fame in order to achieve a rich cobalt coloring to the steel. Daniels himself used the blued steel technique on some of his most famous timepieces, including the Grand Complication and the Space Traveller. This is a very rare opportunity to own a set of wristwatches that feature this new mechanism, and one in which George Daniel’s had a personal and intimate role in its creation.