DLoke Double Spring Détente Chronometer Escapement™

This innovation solved a horological riddle that plagued the most famous watchmakers in the world for over three centuries. It is now a reality thanks to Don Loke and represents a new patented invention in the horological field. Don has completed the design and is now in the process of making the prototype for this breakthrough technology.

In all timekeeping instruments, the downside to any movement is oil and the deterioration of the oil over time. Abraham Louis Breguet once said, “If you can provide me a perfect oil, I will provide a perfect watch.”

The late Sir George Daniels, who is world renowned for his development of a new escapement presently being used by Omega, designed an oil-less coaxial escapement but he was troubled by the fact that it gave direct impulse to the balance wheel in one direction, but through a lever in the other. The ideal situation would have been direct impulse in both directions.

It was through many conversations with Sir George that Don developed the idea for his new escapement, the double spring détente escapement.

The first double escapement was invented by Abraham Louis Breguet in 1789, his “Echappement Naturel.” Breguet had a problem with perfecting his escapement and it was put into only 20 watches. Due to the manufacturing capabilities at the time it had some inherent problems. They had too much friction, too much backlash in the gear train, not self starting and would set or flutter. All double escapements up to this point were made using a lever to release or impulse the Balance Wheel. No one until now has developed a true Spring Détente in both directions. Don set out to conquer what had plagued both men and created his double spring détente with impulse to the balance wheel in both directions, without the need for oil.

The following companies have tried to improve a double wheel escapement but all of them use a lever and require oil: George Daniels, Kari Voutilainen, Charles Frodsham, Derek Pratt, F.P. Journe, Laurent Ferrier, Bernard Lederer and Romain Gauthier, among others.

 Improvements to the DLoke escapement being developed include a double train and the addition of a remontoir. This revolutionary improvement in accuracy has finally been achieved and will be exclusively offered on DLoke timepieces.