Incabloc shock protection system

The Incabloc shock protection system is the trade name for a spring-loaded mounting system for the jewel bearings that support the balance wheel in a mechanical watch, to protect the wheel's delicate pivots from damage in the event of physical shock, such as if the watch is dropped.

The Incabloc system was invented in 1934 by Swiss engineers Georges Braunschweig and Fritz Marti,[1] at Universal Escapements, Ltd, of La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.

It is manufactured by Incabloc, S.A.[2] Similar systems are ETA's Etachoc, Kif, Seiko's Diashock, and Citizen's Parashock.

The pivots and jewel bearings that support a watch balance wheel are fragile in comparison to the mass they must support, and without shock protection are the part of the watch most likely to be damaged under impact.

Before the widespread use of shock protection devices like Incabloc, broken balance staffs were a common type of damage requiring watch repair.