The watch world has been stereotyped as the men’s world because of the array of terminologies used by manufacturers and wearers. The watch jargon can be essential in some ways to people who don’t watch.
For one, they can be used to explain how a simple clock works. And two, if an individual is interested in a deeper meaning and purpose of surveillance.
You don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the amazing world of horology. Nevertheless, if you have a greater understanding of the terms used, it will be easier to consider what you like and what you can afford.
Automatic
A mechanical watch that is wound by the wearer’s wrist movement instead of turning the crown. The wrist movement moves a counterweight that turns the mainspring and turns the gears of the watch.
balance wheel
An oscillating weight wheel at a constant rate, which moves the gears of the watch and allows the hands to move forward.
balance spring
A fragile spring attached to the balance wheel that controls the oscillating balance wheel rate. Also referred to as hair loss.
Bracelet
The band that connects around the wrist of the wearer and fastens to the lips.
Bezel
A metal ring encircling the watch crystal and containing a time scale. Although some remain stationary or have no scale.
Caliber
A term similar to the clock movement and means the diameter of attributes such as the case size and shape and layout of the bridges.
Fall back
The front angle of a watch where the display appears and vice versa, often hides the inner workings of a watch.
Chronograph
A watch that has an additional stopwatch function for the main time. This can be either quartz, mechanical or a combination of the two. Also, it is activated via a set of pushers from the side of the case.
Chronometer
A watch that has been autonomously tested by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC).
complication
An additional function of a watch that goes beyond telling the time. An example is a calendar, chronograph or a moon phase indicator. It requires additional parts that make a watch more expensive and complex to build.
Crystal
The translucent protective cover that covers the watch face, usually made of glass, acrylic or synthetic sapphire.
Select
Also known as a face that shows the time and shows numerals, markings and hands.
diving watch
It is a waterproof watch, but keep in mind that not all waterproof watches are dive watches. Genuine diving watches follow the standard for diving, such as ISO 6425, and require the watch to be waterproof to at least a depth of 100 meters.
Escape
An internal mechanical watch part that transmits the power of a wound watch to the movement of the watch’s second hand by turning the balance wheel at a steady rate.
IN THE
Refers to Switzerland’s largest movement manufacturer which is a subsidiary of the Swatch Group Ltd.
Frequency
The speed at which the clock strikes and measured in either hertz or vibration per hour.
seal
A plastic, neoprene or rubber ring used to seal the gaps between the case and the case back, crown and crystal to prevent water and dust from reaching the case and damaging the movement inside.
Gear train
A gear system that transmits the power of the mainspring to the escapement.
GMT
Although it means Greenwich Mean Time, a watch refers to GMT as the ability to track two time zones simultaneously. Initially developed by Rolex for pilots in the 1950s, they are mainly helpful for all frequent flyers.
Nice watch
A French term that means “high watch” and is used to distinguish watchmakers or watches that show the highest competence in watch design, technical innovation and workmanship.
indices
The prints on the clock face are used to represent the hours in place of numerals. On higher end attachments, these are generally applied or attached to the dial rather than marking it.
Lugs
Metal pieces at the top and bottom of a watch case where the strap is attached.
main course
The base on which all the parts of a mechanical watch movement are mounted.
Main spring
A coiled spring that is held tight when a watch is wound, thereby storing the watch’s energy. The main spring is protected in a small drum called a “barrel”.
Horology Manufacture
A French term that refers to a watch company that develops its parts “in-house” rather than collecting watch parts from third-party suppliers.
Movement
Most watch manufacturers refer to their movements as “calibres” because it is the inner working mechanism of a watch. In a mechanical movement, the main parts are the mainspring, gear train, the escapement, and the balance wheel. While in a quartz movement, the main components are battery, microchip circuit, quartz crystal, and stepper motor.
Pusher
A button on a chronograph watch that starts, stops, and/or resets the chronograph device.
Repeater
A high-end complication that produces sound to indicate the time with a button on the watch case.
Tourbillon
A tourbillon is a type of escapement, protected in a rotating cage, which is used to counteract the negative effects of gravity on the movement.
Winder
A case or case that gently rotates an automatic watch to fully wind the mainspring when not worn.
conclusion
And there you have it! In fact, the watch world can be daunting and intimidating. However, it’s great to learn new things like this and arm yourself with more knowledge along the way. Who knows, it will benefit you one day. If you want to start a hobby in watchmaking, then a reliable company like Sofly Watch Parts Manufacturer and Supplier is the one you need.