In theory, a mechanical watch is very simple: it’s ‘simply’ a spring (the mainspring) unwinding at a constant rate with hands attached to gears that rotate as the spring unwinds. Easy!

If only.

The ticking you hear in a mechanical watch movement is the sound of the pallet jewels on the escapement engaging and disengaging with the escape wheel as they allow the mainspring to unwind a little at a time, and imparting a little energy to the balance wheel to keep it oscillating.

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