anchor escapement: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

It's named for the shape of its central component (the anchor or pallet fork), which resembles a ship's anchor. This component rocks back and forth to engage the escape wheel.

The basic recoil anchor escapement is mostly found in antique clocks and some modern reproductions. Most modern mechanical watches use a refined version called the lever escapement, which is based on the same principle but is more efficient.

It replaced the older verge escapement (or crown wheel escapement), which was less accurate and more susceptible to changes in the driving force.

Very rarely in standard wristwatches. You are most likely to see one in a specialised marine chronometer, a high-end replica of an historical timepiece, or in the mechanism of a traditional pendulum clock.

A key component in mechanical clock and watch movements that controls the release of power from the mainspring, converting it into the steady back-and-forth motion of the balance wheel.

Anchor escapement is usually technical / specialized in register.

Anchor escapement: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæŋkər ɪˈskeɪpmənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæŋkər ɛˈskeɪpmənt/ (or /ɪˈskeɪpmənt/). Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.