George Daniels' innovative escapement reducing friction to enhance precision and minimize lubrication needs in mechanical movements.
The co-axial escapement reduces friction between components through radial impulse rather than sliding contact, minimizing wear and extending service intervals from 5-7 years to 8-10 years. It maintains accuracy longer and requires less lubrication than traditional lever escapements.
Omega exclusively uses co-axial escapements across most of their mechanical watches since 1999, when they licensed George Daniels' invention. While other brands have developed similar low-friction escapements, Omega remains the primary manufacturer of co-axial technology at industrial scale.
Co-axial movements aren't inherently more accurate initially, but they maintain their accuracy longer over time. The reduced friction means less degradation of precision between services. Combined with Omega's METAS certification, many co-axial watches achieve exceptional long-term chronometric performance.