Lever escapement The lever escapement is a type of detached escapement that incorporates a lever between the balance wheel and the escape wheel. The balance wheel makes contact with the lever for only a very short impulse as it is swinging through its centre position, leaving it to swing freely for the remainder of the cycle. This design was a major step forwards in functionality because it is self-starting, unlike other escapements (such as the cylinder escapement). This means that if the owner was to somehow cause it to stop, it will automatically carry on running straight away. The lever escapement is used in almost all mechanical watches and was invented by the British clockmaker Thomas Mudge around 1755.
