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Complete Watch Glossary: All Technical Terms and Essential Definitions to Understand the Functioning, Characteristics, Complications, and Components of a Quality Timepiece
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
- Automatic
- An automatic movement is a type of mechanical movement that winds itself using the natural motion of the wrist.
- Analog
- An analog watch is a type of watch that displays the time using hands on a dial.
B
- Bracelet
- The bracelet is the watch strap, often made of metal or leather, that allows the watch to be worn on the wrist.
- Barrel
- The barrel is a part of the watch movement that stores the energy needed to operate the watch.
C
- Chronograph
- A chronograph is a watch equipped with a stopwatch function that allows measuring intervals of time.
- Case
- The case is the main part of the watch that contains the movement and protects the internal components.
D
- Date
- The date function in a watch shows the day of the month.
- Deployant
- A deployant clasp is a type of closure for the watch strap that opens and closes by folding.
E
- Escapement
- The escapement is the mechanism in a mechanical watch that controls the release of energy from the barrel to the balance wheel.
F
- Moon Phases
- Moon phases are a complication that displays the phases of the moon on the watch dial.
G
- GMT
- A GMT watch is a watch that displays the time in two or more time zones.
H
- Hermetic
- Hermetic or waterproof refers to a watch's ability to resist water up to a certain depth.
I
- Indices
- Indices are the markers on the watch dial that indicate the hours.
J
- Jewels
- Jewels in a watch movement are used as bearings to reduce friction and wear.
L
- Hands
- The hands are the "arms" of the watch that indicate the time on the dial.
M
- Movement
- The movement is the internal mechanism of the watch that allows it to function.
P
- Perpetual Calendar
- A perpetual calendar is a complication that automatically keeps track of the date, including leap years.
Q
- Dial
- The dial is the part of the watch that displays the time, often decorated with indices and logos.
R
- Minute Repeater
- The minute repeater is a complication that chimes the hours and minutes on demand.
S
- Seconds
- The seconds hand is a small hand that measures the seconds.
T
- Tourbillon
- A tourbillon is a device that compensates for the effects of gravity on the watch movement, improving its accuracy.
U
- Ultra-Thin
- An ultra-thin watch is designed to be extremely thin, often thanks to very compact movements.
V
- Sapphire Crystal
- Sapphire crystal is a highly scratch-resistant material used to protect the watch dial.