Whether you want to know exactly how to describe that part of your watch, or what on earth the sales brochure means, we have gathered together a summary of the most popular watch terms to give you a helping hand;
A-
Adjusted.
You might find your watch has been listed as ‘adjusted’. This is not a bad thing, its a good thing! This refers to the tests during watch assembly to ensure a timepiece that can work well in all environments. It will have typically been tested with up to nine adjustments including face up, face down, in heat, and in cold.
Amplitude
To beat or tick a balance wheel inside your watch swings back and forth. The maximum angle the balance wheel swings from where it rest is called the amplitude. Poor amplitude affects timekeeping so its important to measure the amplitude as part of a service on your watch.
Arbor.
An axle which around the moving parts of the watch rotate. Like the middle pole of a merry-go-round.
Atmosphere - What indicates the water-resistance of a watch by measuring the normal air pressure at sea level.
Auxiliary dial.
The name of an extra dial on the watch face. Can be in use with any complication.
B -
Balance spring.
The balance spring or hair spring is very fine and thin. It coils and recoils causing your balance wheel to swing back and forth, regulating the accuracy of your timepiece
Balance wheel.
An integral part of mechanical watches, it oscillates to regulate and divide time equally - just like a pendulum does in a clock.
Band.
A metal bracelet strap is often called a band.
Band width.
The measurement between the lugs of the watch case into which your strap or band fits. Important to know if ordering new or different straps.
Bezel
A well known watch part, the surrounding ring of your watch dial. Often made from precious metal. Many types of bezel are used to measure speed, distance, or elapsed time.
Bracelet.
As the band, this is another name for the metal strap securing your watch to your wrist.
Bridge.
The bridge of inside of a watch is like the pillars that hold up a second floor in a building. A metal plate that contains the jewels, forming the main frame of the watch movement and holding the rotating gears.
C -
Cabochon
A smooth or round gemstone, that has not useful purpose other than to look decorative. Often set in the crown of a watch.
Calibre/Caliber
A part of the movement that identifies the position, sizing and manufacturer origins of the wheel train, barrel and other comments. Most calibre are identified by letters and numbers.
Case.
The case of the watch is the metal, precious metal or ceramic housing that holds the various parts of a watch. Also referred to as the Body. Measured in diameter from one end to the other, not including the crown or buttons.
Chronometer.
A timepiece tested and certified to meet certain precision standards. Traditionally only timepieces by the Control office in Switzerland {COSC} may use the word chronometer on them. The test measures the watch at three temperatures and provided that the watch is accurate enough, they will be award their certificate.
Complication.
A feature on a watch that tells more than just the current time. Meaning quite simply to make a watch more complicated.
Crown.
The button or knob on the outside of the watch casing, used for setting the watch and a variety of functions. Used to wind the mainspring.
Crystal. The ‘glass’ or window on the front of your watch that protects the dial of the watch. Mineral or sapphire crystal is the best, but you can also get the less expensive acrylic crystal also known as Hesolite crystal. Should your watch have ‘Cambered’ Crystal, it means the glass of the watch has been arched to create a dome like appearance.
Cyclops
A small magnified lens in the crystal placed over the date window to enhance visibility.
D -
Deployment clasp/buckle.
Also called a fold-over, is a tri-folding clasp securing two end of the watch bracelet whilst allowing enough room to slide the watch onto your wrist when in the ‘undone’ position.
Dial.
The face of your watch, showing time by various markers.
Watch terms A -D
Whether you want to know exactly how to describe that part of your watch, or what on earth the sales brochure means, we have gathered together a summary of the most popular watch terms to give you a helping hand;
A-
Adjusted.
You might find your watch has been listed as ‘adjusted’. This is not a bad thing, its a good thing! This refers to the tests during watch assembly to ensure a timepiece that can work well in all environments. It will have typically been tested with up to nine adjustments including face up, face down, in heat, and in cold.
Amplitude
To beat or tick a balance wheel inside your watch swings back and forth. The maximum angle the balance wheel swings from where it rest is called the amplitude. Poor amplitude affects timekeeping so its important to measure the amplitude as part of a service on your watch.
Arbor.
An axle which around the moving parts of the watch rotate. Like the middle pole of a merry-go-round.
Atmosphere - What indicates the water-resistance of a watch by measuring the normal air pressure at sea level.
Auxiliary dial.
The name of an extra dial on the watch face. Can be in use with any complication.
B -
Balance spring.
The balance spring or hair spring is very fine and thin. It coils and recoils causing your balance wheel to swing back and forth, regulating the accuracy of your timepiece
Balance wheel.
An integral part of mechanical watches, it oscillates to regulate and divide time equally - just like a pendulum does in a clock.
Band.
A metal bracelet strap is often called a band.
Band width.
The measurement between the lugs of the watch case into which your strap or band fits. Important to know if ordering new or different straps.
Bezel
A well known watch part, the surrounding ring of your watch dial. Often made from precious metal. Many types of bezel are used to measure speed, distance, or elapsed time.
Bracelet.
As the band, this is another name for the metal strap securing your watch to your wrist.
Bridge.
The bridge of inside of a watch is like the pillars that hold up a second floor in a building. A metal plate that contains the jewels, forming the main frame of the watch movement and holding the rotating gears.
C -
Cabochon
A smooth or round gemstone, that has not useful purpose other than to look decorative. Often set in the crown of a watch.
Calibre/Caliber
A part of the movement that identifies the position, sizing and manufacturer origins of the wheel train, barrel and other comments. Most calibre are identified by letters and numbers.
Case.
The case of the watch is the metal, precious metal or ceramic housing that holds the various parts of a watch. Also referred to as the Body. Measured in diameter from one end to the other, not including the crown or buttons.
Chronometer.
A timepiece tested and certified to meet certain precision standards. Traditionally only timepieces by the Control office in Switzerland {COSC} may use the word chronometer on them. The test measures the watch at three temperatures and provided that the watch is accurate enough, they will be award their certificate.
Complication.
A feature on a watch that tells more than just the current time. Meaning quite simply to make a watch more complicated.
Crown.
The button or knob on the outside of the watch casing, used for setting the watch and a variety of functions. Used to wind the mainspring.
Crystal. The ‘glass’ or window on the front of your watch that protects the dial of the watch. Mineral or sapphire crystal is the best, but you can also get the less expensive acrylic crystal also known as Hesolite crystal. Should your watch have ‘Cambered’ Crystal, it means the glass of the watch has been arched to create a dome like appearance.
Cyclops
A small magnified lens in the crystal placed over the date window to enhance visibility.
D -
Deployment clasp/buckle.
Also called a fold-over, is a tri-folding clasp securing two end of the watch bracelet whilst allowing enough room to slide the watch onto your wrist when in the ‘undone’ position.
Dial.
The face of your watch, showing time by various markers.