Watch Glossary

A:

  • Automatic Movement: A mechanical movement that winds itself as the watch is worn by the wearer's arm movement.
  • Acrylic Crystal: A type of plastic material that is commonly used as a watch crystal.
  • Analog: A watch display that uses hands to show time on a dial.

B:

  • Bezel: The outer ring of a watch that surrounds and holds the crystal in place.
  • Bracelet: A metal band that is worn around the wrist of a watch.
  • Balance Wheel: A regulating component that oscillates back and forth in a watch movement.

C:

  • Chronograph: A watch with a stopwatch function.
  • Crown: The knob on the side of a watch used to set the time and date.
  • Complication: Any function on a watch beyond the display of time.

D:

  • Dial: The face of a watch that displays the time and other information.
  • Deployant Clasp: A type of bracelet clasp that folds and locks in place.
  • Digital: A watch display that uses numerical digits to show time.

E:

  • Escapement: The mechanism in a watch that transfers energy to the timekeeping element.
  • Exhibition Caseback: A transparent caseback that allows a view of the movement inside the watch.
  • Ebauche: An unfinished watch movement sold to watchmakers to be completed.

F:

  • Flyback Chronograph: A type of chronograph that allows for consecutive timing without stopping the timer.
  • Frequency: The rate at which a watch movement oscillates.
  • Finishing: The process of decorating and refining the surfaces of watch components.

G:

  • GMT: A watch function that displays the time in two or more time zones.
  • Geneva Seal: A certification mark awarded to watches that meet certain quality standards set by the Canton of Geneva.
  • Gold Plated: A watch that is coated in a thin layer of gold.

H:

  • Hacking: A function on a watch that stops the second hand when the crown is pulled out to set the time.
  • Hand-Winding: A type of movement that requires manual winding via the crown.
  • Horology: The study of timekeeping and the history and science of timepieces.

I:

  • Incabloc: A type of shock absorber used in watch movements to protect against damage from impact.
  • Indication: Any display on a watch that shows information beyond the time.
  • In-house Movement: A movement that is designed, developed, and manufactured entirely by the watch company.

J:

  • Jewels: Synthetic gemstones used in watch movements to reduce friction and wear.
  • Jumping Hour: A type of watch display that jumps the hour indication rather than using a sweeping hand.

K:

  • Kinetic: A type of movement that uses a rotor to generate power through the motion of the wearer's arm.
  • Karat: A unit of measurement for the purity of gold.

L:

  • Lugs: The part of a watch case where the bracelet or strap attaches.
  • Leather Strap: A watch band made from leather.
  • Luminous: A watch feature that allows for visibility in low-light conditions.

M:

  • Manual-Winding: A type of movement that requires manual winding via the crown.
  • Moonphase: A watch function that displays the phase of the moon.
  • Mineral Crystal: A type of watch crystal that is made from mineral glass.

N:

  • NATO Strap: A type of watch band made from nylon that is often used in military-style watches.
  • Numerals: The numbers on a watch dial that indicate time.

O:

  • Open-heart dial: A type of watch dial that features a cut-out portion, allowing the wearer to see part of the movement beneath.
  • Overcoil: A type of hairspring in a mechanical watch movement that is shaped like a spiral or "overcoil," allowing for more precise timekeeping.

P:

  • Perpetual calendar: A type of calendar complication in a watch that automatically adjusts for months and leap years, requiring no manual adjustment until the year 2100.
  • Power reserve: The amount of time a mechanical watch movement can run without being wound, usually indicated by a sub-dial or indicator on the watch face.
  • PVD coating: A type of coating applied to a watch case or bracelet using a process called physical vapor deposition, providing increased durability and scratch resistance.

Q:

  • Quartz movement: A type of watch movement that uses a quartz crystal to keep time, often found in battery-powered watches.
  • Quickset date: A function in a watch movement that allows the wearer to quickly set the date without having to cycle through 24 hours.
  • Quartzite: A type of mineral often used in watch dials and cases for its hardness and durability.

R:

  • Rattrapante: A type of chronograph function that features two seconds hands, allowing the wearer to time multiple events simultaneously.
  • Rehaut: The inner ring of a watch dial, usually marked with minute or hour indicators.
  • Rotating bezel: A type of watch bezel that can be rotated to track elapsed time or measure a specific duration.

S:

  • Sapphire crystal: A type of watch crystal made from synthetic sapphire, prized for its scratch resistance and durability.
  • Skeleton dial: A type of watch dial that features cut-outs or transparent sections, allowing the wearer to see the movement beneath.
  • Stainless steel: A type of steel often used in watch cases and bracelets, prized for its durability and resistance to corrosion.

T:

  • Tachymeter: A type of watch complication that allows the wearer to measure speed based on time and distance traveled.
  • Tourbillon: A type of watch movement that features a rotating cage to counteract the effects of gravity on timekeeping.
  • Tritium: A radioactive isotope often used in watch dials and hands for its self-illuminating properties.

U:

  • Uni-directional bezel: A type of watch bezel that can only be rotated in one direction, typically used for tracking elapsed time or diving.
  • Universal time: A type of watch complication that displays the time in multiple time zones simultaneously.
  • Ultra-thin: A term used to describe a watch that is exceptionally thin and lightweight.

V:

  • Vibrations per hour (VPH): A measure of the frequency of a watch movement, indicating the number of times the balance wheel oscillates per hour.
  • Vintage: A term used to describe a watch that is at least 20-30 years old and has historical or collectible value.

W:

  • Water resistance: The ability of a watch to withstand exposure to water without damage, often measured in meters or atmospheres (ATM).
  • Winding crown: The button on a watch used for winding and setting the time.
  • World timer: A type of watch complication that displays the time in multiple time zones, often featuring a rotating bezel or inner dial.

Y:

  • Yachting Watch: A watch designed for sailors and yacht racing, typically featuring a regatta countdown timer and a rotating bezel with markers for timing race starts.

Z:

  • Zirconium: A strong, corrosion-resistant metal often used in watch cases and other high-performance applications. It is similar in appearance to titanium but has a higher density.