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;
M -
Mainplate.
Also called a base plate, simply the primary piece of metal all other parts are mounted on.
Main spring.
Just like its name suggests, the spring is indeed the main spring giving power to the drive the gears of the watch.
Mechanical movement
A watch that runs without any electrical source.
Micrometric regulator.
A high grade watch would have a timekeeping regulator like this. Fine tuning can be done with the adjustment of this tiny screw.
Movement.
The engine or heart of a timepiece. There are three main types of movement; automatic, mechanical, and quartz.
P -
Plate.
The front and back of the case, that gives access to the internal parts.
Platinum.
A rare and durable metal, that doesn't tarnish, and stays as constantly bright as when new. Its a common choice nowadays for limited edition watches.
Q -
Quartz movement
A name for watches that utilise a battery or capacitor to charge and runt eh watch. Some snobbery surrounds quartz as opposed to mechanical watches, however quartz movements are far more accurate than even the most expensive manually wound watches.
R -
Retrograde.
A retrograde watch sets the time to in a linear format rather than the circle we are used to. The hands move in an arc and jump back to the beginning.
S -
Skeleton watch.
A case with no dial, and transparent front that allows the user to admire the inside movement.
Subsidiary dial.
An auxiliary dial used for different purposes and functions.
Swiss made.
The mark of truly exceptional watch. Baring the swiss made label indicates the watch movement was manufactured and inspected in Switzerland., At least 50% of the watch components must be made and assembled in Switzerland as well. The laws surrounding this are strict in effort to keep out poor quality and ensure a high standard for the customer.
Swiss movement.
Not to be confused with Swiss made. This labelling tells you only the movement must be made in Switzerland, where the remainder of the watch, casing and components can be manufactured assembled and inspected anywhere else.
T -
Tang buckle.
The most common fastening found on watch straps. A traditional buckle, just like you have on a belt.
Tank.
Designeed by Cartier, this is a watch of rectangular shape, with two metal bar sides, resembling tank tracks.
Titanium.
Resistant to salt water corrosion, this is used increasingly in Divers watches. Stronger and lighter than stainless steel
Tonneau.
A barrel shaped case watch, with two bulging sides.
W -
Watch winder.
A small machine that winds your watch when not being worn.
Water resistance.
Watches marked water resistance are able to stand water to a very limited extent. Checking the manual and warranty is essential so as not to over estimate. Watches also decrease in water resistance as they get older. Did you know no watch is allowed to be called Waterproof? and should be a red flag to you if any salesman describes it as such.
Watch terms M - W
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;
M -
Mainplate.
Also called a base plate, simply the primary piece of metal all other parts are mounted on.
Main spring.
Just like its name suggests, the spring is indeed the main spring giving power to the drive the gears of the watch.
Mechanical movement
A watch that runs without any electrical source.
Micrometric regulator.
A high grade watch would have a timekeeping regulator like this. Fine tuning can be done with the adjustment of this tiny screw.
Movement.
The engine or heart of a timepiece. There are three main types of movement; automatic, mechanical, and quartz.
P -
Plate.
The front and back of the case, that gives access to the internal parts.
Platinum.
A rare and durable metal, that doesn't tarnish, and stays as constantly bright as when new. Its a common choice nowadays for limited edition watches.
Q -
Quartz movement
A name for watches that utilise a battery or capacitor to charge and runt eh watch. Some snobbery surrounds quartz as opposed to mechanical watches, however quartz movements are far more accurate than even the most expensive manually wound watches.
R -
Retrograde.
A retrograde watch sets the time to in a linear format rather than the circle we are used to. The hands move in an arc and jump back to the beginning.
S -
Skeleton watch.
A case with no dial, and transparent front that allows the user to admire the inside movement.
Subsidiary dial.
An auxiliary dial used for different purposes and functions.
Swiss made.
The mark of truly exceptional watch. Baring the swiss made label indicates the watch movement was manufactured and inspected in Switzerland., At least 50% of the watch components must be made and assembled in Switzerland as well. The laws surrounding this are strict in effort to keep out poor quality and ensure a high standard for the customer.
Swiss movement.
Not to be confused with Swiss made. This labelling tells you only the movement must be made in Switzerland, where the remainder of the watch, casing and components can be manufactured assembled and inspected anywhere else.
T -
Tang buckle.
The most common fastening found on watch straps. A traditional buckle, just like you have on a belt.
Tank.
Designeed by Cartier, this is a watch of rectangular shape, with two metal bar sides, resembling tank tracks.
Titanium.
Resistant to salt water corrosion, this is used increasingly in Divers watches. Stronger and lighter than stainless steel
Tonneau.
A barrel shaped case watch, with two bulging sides.
W -
Watch winder.
A small machine that winds your watch when not being worn.
Water resistance.
Watches marked water resistance are able to stand water to a very limited extent. Checking the manual and warranty is essential so as not to over estimate. Watches also decrease in water resistance as they get older. Did you know no watch is allowed to be called Waterproof? and should be a red flag to you if any salesman describes it as such.