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Mechanics in motion
Where energy comes from, how the escapement works and what a chronograph controls—three interactive diagrams.
- 1Winding crown
- 2Barrel and mainspring
- 3Gear train
Illustrative energy scale: 0 steps out of 6
Two paths to one mainspring
With manual winding, you apply force through the crown. With automatic winding, wrist motion turns the rotor, which replenishes the mainspring through the winding system. Energy then passes through the barrel and gear train.
Six presses represent an illustrative scale, not a number of crown turns or hours of reserve. Manual winding instructions and rotor direction depend on the calibre. This diagram shows only the energy path.