Run to banking

After an escape-wheel tooth drops onto a pallet's locking face, the draw of the locking face pulls the lever on until it meets its banking. That last movement is the run, also called slide or run to banking. It keeps the lever firmly against the banking while the balance swings freely, so a knock is less likely to unlock the escapement.

Run is one part of the escapement's geometry alongside lock and drop. Too little run leaves the guard pin close to the safety roller and the lever poorly held; too much means the balance must push the lever back through a longer path before unlocking, which costs energy. In watches with fixed banking, run is adjusted by moving pallet stones rather than bending banking pins.