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anchor escapement
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Diagram of an anchor escapement mechanism showing a pendulum attached to pallets that interact with an escape wheel, illustrating how this system regulates time in pendulum clocks.
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anchor escapement

device
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Diagram of an anchor escapement mechanism showing a pendulum attached to pallets that interact with an escape wheel, illustrating how this system regulates time in pendulum clocks.
anchor escapement of a clock The anchor escapement, which was invented in the 17th century, allowed pendulum clocks to be regulated.

The anchor escapement is a mechanical device used in clocks and watches to control the release of energy from the power source to the timekeeping mechanism. Invented in 17th-century England, it is an improvement over earlier designs like the verge escapement. The anchor escapement works with a pendulum, allowing for more precise timekeeping by controlling the escape wheel's movement with an anchor-shaped pallet piece. This design causes a slight recoil of the escape wheel with each locking action, contributing to its accuracy. This mechanism is crucial for the functioning of mechanical clocks.123

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