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Watch Terminology

Analogue
Using hands to display the time, not a digital display.

Automatic
Automatic watches are exactly the same as mechanical except they do not need winding as long as they are being worn on a wrist. The movement of the wrist is sufficient to move an oscillating weight, which keeps the mainspring wound up.

Bezel
The ring on the outside of the watchcase around the dial.

Bracelet
A metal bracelet, which holds the watch to the wrist. Made up of links allowing the bracelet to fit any wrist comfortably.

Bracelet sets
Bracelet sets are matching watch and bracelet designs.

Case
The body of the watch to which the bracelet or strap is attached. Cases are available in a wide variety of shapes and metals.

Case back
The cover on the back of a watch, which protects the movement. A case back normally snaps back into place or in the case of a water resistant model will be of the screw down variety to ensure water cannot permeate the seal.

Chronograph
A watch, which also acts as a stopwatch.

Crown
Used for setting the watch hands. Also known as a button.

Crystal
Cover made of glass, plastic, or synthetic sapphire, fitted with a bezel.

Clasp
The fastening mechanism on a watch bracelet.

Dial
The dial sits on top of the movement and displays the time.

Digital Watch
Displays the time using a digital display.

Electroplating
The process of applying a decorative finish to base material. Electroplating can be used for gold plating, rhodium plating or palladium plating.

Kinetic
Seiko's latest and most technically advanced watches are called Seiko Kinetics. They contain their own internal electrical generators--operated by natural wrist movements--making them independent of conventional storage batteries.

LCD
Liquid crystal display of numerals in a digital watch.

LED
Light emitting diode, the display of numerals in early digital watches.

Lug
Metal projections at either side of the case, which hold the spring bar onto which the bracelet or strap is attached.

Mechanical
A mainspring in a housing called a barrel powers a mechanical watch. The mainspring when wound by hand, unwinds very slowly, transmitting power to a system of interconnected gearwheels called the gear train. This in turn is connected to the escapement mechanism consisting of a wheel and a pallet fork, which transmits impulses to the balance wheel, making it oscillate. This is the element, which makes the characteristic ticking noise. There is a further train, which moves the hands of the watch.

Mineral glass
A hardened watch glass (or crystal) that is scratch resistant.

Moon Phase
The phases of the moon are displayed in a window on the dial.

Movement
The complete unit inside the watch that makes it work.

Perpetual Calendar
A calendar mechanism that adjusts itself to the different months and leap years. Will continue until February 28, 2100.

Power cell
Another name for a battery.

Quartz
Rock crystal made to oscillate by electronic current. Maintains constant frequency according to its weight and mass. In modern quartz watches a synthetic material is used.

Sapphire Glass
Sapphire crystals are made from synthetic sapphire and are practically unscratchable.

Screw Down Crown
This type of crown is threaded and winds down to secure enhancing dust and water resistance.

Self Winding
Automatic.

Shock Resistant
If a watch is dropped onto a hard surface from a height of 3ft and it does not stop it is judged to be shock resistant, or if its daily rate is not affected by more than 60 seconds per day.

Solar Powered
Panels capture the light converting it into electricity, which powers the quartz movement.

Sterling silver
Contains at least 92.5% pure silver.

Stainless Steel
A dense, extremely durable, and rust-resistant metal, which does not require electroplating.

Strap
Can be leather, simulated leather, plastic or nylon. It is the band that holds the watch to the wrist.

Spring Bar
A metal pin used on most straps to fasten them to the watchcase.

Tachymetre (tachometer)
A measuring system located on the bezel or outer ring of the dial that can be used to calculate speed in mph or kph.

Water-resistant
Please see our chart explaining water resistance.

World Time Watch
Displays the current time in any time zone.
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