The structural beauty of Orient Star, created by a blue silicon escape wheel.
A Tiny Key Component Supporting the “Heartbeat” of Mechanical Watches
The charm of mechanical watches goes beyond merely being instruments for telling time.
The power stored in the mainspring is transmitted to the gears, the escapement precisely controls that power, and the balance wheel oscillates rhythmically.
The way numerous precision components work together within a small case to mark time creates a unique beauty inherent in mechanical watches.
Among these, a crucial component that supports the watch's accurate rhythm is the escape wheel.
What is an escape wheel?
The escape wheel is an important part that makes up the escapement, which can be called the heart of a mechanical watch.
The escapement prevents the mainspring's power from being released all at once and moves the gear train at a constant rhythm.
Unlike spring-loaded toys that move quickly and then stop, mechanical watches can operate for long periods at a stable pace precisely because of this escapement.
In most wristwatches, a "Swiss lever escapement" is used, combining an escape wheel with hook-shaped teeth and a T-shaped lever.
The entire mechanism involving the balance wheel, escape wheel, and lever is a critically important system that determines the watch's rate.
The ticking sound is proof that the escapement is working.
The "tick-tock" sound you hear from a mechanical watch.
This is proof that the escapement is working regularly.
The gear train, receiving power from the mainspring, would ordinarily rotate rapidly.
However, the pallet stones of the lever catch the teeth of the escape wheel, braking its movement.
As the balance wheel oscillates left and right, the lever moves like a seesaw in sync with it, and the escape wheel advances one tooth at a time.
By repeating this movement, the rotation of the escape wheel is controlled according to the oscillation frequency of the balance wheel, and the watch hands advance at a constant pace.
In other words, the escape wheel not only receives the mainspring's power but also plays a crucial role in regulating the overall rhythm of the watch.
Orient Star's First Silicon Escape Wheel
Since 2021, Orient Star has been using silicon escape wheels developed and manufactured in-house.
These silicon escape wheels were developed using MEMS processing technology, which is also used in Seiko Epson's high-precision print head manufacturing.
Compared to conventional metal escape wheels, silicon is extremely lightweight.
Its specific gravity is about one-third that of conventional materials, significantly improving power transmission efficiency.
As a result, Orient Star achieved a 70-hour power reserve, which was the longest at the time.
Furthermore, high processing precision reduces frictional resistance, contributing to improved accuracy stability and durability.
Aesthetic Sense Embodied in Vivid Blue
Orient Star's silicon escape wheels possess great appeal not only in terms of function but also in beauty.
The vibrant blue escape wheel visible in the skeleton model.
Its color is inspired by the Milky Way galaxy.
This beautiful blue is expressed through a three-layer film created by semiconductor thin-film deposition technology.
By precisely controlling the extremely thin film thickness, it produces a beautiful blue that subtly changes its appearance depending on the viewing angle.
While being cutting-edge technology to enhance watch performance, it also pursues "visible beauty."
This exemplifies Orient Star's approach to manufacturing.
Accuracy and Aesthetics: The Two Values Orient Star Pursues
The great values demanded of mechanical watches are accurate timekeeping and beautiful time expression.
Orient Star's silicon escape wheel can be said to symbolize both of these.
Improved driving efficiency through weight reduction.
High molding precision through MEMS processing.
Stable operation with reduced frictional resistance.
And the vivid blue that stands out in the skeleton model.
It is not merely a mechanical component but the crystallization of the "accuracy" and "aesthetic appeal" that Orient Star has pursued.
Caliber F8, equipped with a silicon escape wheel, is used in Orient Star's high-end models, including skeleton models.
This is a point we would like you to pay close attention to when enjoying the structural beauty of mechanical watches.
Limited-Time "Exhibition of the Structural Beauty of Mechanical Watches" Now Open
Antoine, an authorized dealer of watches and jewelry, is holding a special limited-time Orient Star exhibition:
"Exhibition of the Structural Beauty of Mechanical Watches."
This exhibition traces the 35-year journey from the "Mon Bijou" skeleton model, released in 1991, to the current Orient Star skeleton models.
How has the expression of beautifully showcasing the internal structure of mechanical watches evolved?
You can experience the world of mechanisms usually hidden beneath the dial through actual product displays.
Escape wheel, lever, balance wheel, gear train.
The way each component works in conjunction to tick away time as a single watch is truly the structural beauty unique to mechanical watches.
Event Overview
Orient Star Special Exhibition
"Exhibition of the Structural Beauty of Mechanical Watches"
Exhibition Period: June 9 (Tue) - July 12 (Sun), 2026
Business Hours: 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM
Closed: Wednesdays
Venue: Antoine, authorized dealer of watches and jewelry
Address: E1 Nishisando Terrace, 4-28-7 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0053
This exhibition is recommended not only for Orient Star fans but also for anyone interested in mechanical watches.
Please visit the store to see the world of small mechanisms continuously moving within a watch, showcased through our skeleton models.
We sincerely look forward to your visit.