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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Glossary · Mechanism

Pallet fork

The forked lever carrying two jewelled pallet stones that locks and unlocks the escape wheel.

Explanation

In the lever escapement, the pallet fork receives impulse from the escape wheel and passes it to the balance via the impulse pin, while its horns guard against the balance overbanking. Pallet stone angles and fork geometry distinguish English, Swiss and pin-lever variants.