Shock-protection?

Present-day watch-producers provide their timepieces with an anti-shock mechanism, also known as shock absorbers. An anti-shock device is required as a watch incorporates a number of fragile elements that may be broken if not properly protected from shocks often caused when the watch accidentally drops or is subjected to violent movements. The pivots and jewels of the balance are fragile considering the mass they have to support – with no shock protection they are very likely to be damaged under impact.


Anti-shock assemblies are responsible for protecting the upper and lower balance pivots from damage. Some movements have shock assemblies also used on the escape wheel.

The Incabloc shock protection system, widely used by modern watch manufacturers, represents a spring-loaded mounting system for the jewel bearings responsible for supporting the balance wheel in a mechanical timepiece, this way protecting the wheel's fragile pivots from possible damage if the watch is subjected to shocks.

Anti-shock devices are especially useful in case of sports watches.