This marked a dramatic step in the evolution of Omega’s Co-Axial philosophy. In 2007, Omega launched the Co-Axial calibre 8500. In 2005, the 3313 family of Co-Axial chronograph calibres was introduced but the most dramatic headlines would be created two years later. With the calibre 2500, refined by the introduction of Omega’s free sprung balance for maximum precision, the venerable watch company had signalled the greatest revolution in recent watchmaking history, reaching chronometric performance standards previously unimagined for series-production mechanical watches.įollowing the launch of the Co-Axial calibre in 1999, Omega continued to refine and improve the technology.

The result is a reduced need for servicing for the movement and, above all, greater stability of the watch’s precision over time. George Daniels’ vision – the Omega Co-Axial Escapement – reduces the friction among the parts that transmit energy to the other components. In simple terms, the escapement is the heart of the mechanical watch, as it maintains the oscillations of the balance, the watch’s regulating mechanism. Master watchmaker George Daniels, who invented the Co-Axial Escapement, said of his masterpiece, «It is intended to sustain the public affection for the mechanical watch during the 21st century.» It is well on its way to doing so. Before long, each new mechanical watch produced by Omega will be equipped with the technology which watch industry observers once predicted would be, at best, a niche product only suitable for expensive, limited run timepieces. The operative word here is «practical»: in the decade following the launch of the first Co-Axial calibre, Omega introduced the state-of-the-industry escapements into every one of its watch lines. The Co-Axial Escapement in the calibre was the first practical new mechanical watch escapement to be launched in 250 years. When Omega launched its Co-Axial calibre 2500 in 1999, the entire mechanical watch industry was put on notice.

Driving the revolution in mechanical watchmaking

Calibre watch meaning