Waltham Crescent Street Model 1870: Pallet Fork and Escape Wheel

Poised Pallet Fork and Escape Wheel from Waltham’s Model 1870 Crescent Street, Serial Number 690511. These are the parts responsible for the rhythmic ticking sound of the watch. The circular “moon-shaped” end of the pallet fork was designed to provide counterweight to balance the opposite side of the fork, reserved for the finest watches at the time. However, this concept was eventually proven to be flawed as the added mass creates inertia that must then be overcome with each vibration of the balance.