Watch Terminology

A "Bezel" is a ring on the top side of the case around the crystal. Some (very few) are actually located beneath the crystal. The Bezel's purpose is to measure time increments. Some bezels can be turned in only one direction - unidirectional turning bezels. Other can be turned either way - bi-directional turning bezel. Yet others are fixed & cannot be turned - each has specific uses. The purposes of the rotating Bezel is to be able to begin timing an event at any given time by aligning the bezel's #12 at the beginning point. Fixed Bezel usually features a scale of sorts such as the Tachymeter scale.

A function that indicates day of the month, and sometimes day of the week and the year.

The metal housing that contains a watch's parts. Stainless steel is most commonly used although titanium, platinum, gold and silver are also common, however increase the price of the watch.

A watch with a stopwatch function. A Chronograph both measures and displays elapsed times in addition to sowing conventional time. Generally the chronograph mechanism is driven by the movement of the watch & operated by two buttons on the edge of the case which start, stop & reset the chronograph. Usually the chronograph seconds hand is the large center seconds with sub-dials for elapsed minutes & hours - although the exact display may vary.

This allows the wearer to know how much of a preset time has passed. Some Quartz versions sound a warning a few seconds before the pre-set time has elapsed.

The grooved button on the outside of the case, used for setting the hands on a watch, and the day and date, where applicable. It is also used for winding the mainspring of a mechanical watch. The crown is also known as a winder or winding stem.

This is the clear cover on the watch face (dial). It may be made of glass, plastic, mineral crystal or sapphire crystal (a scratch-resistant synthetic material). Its purpose is to protect the watch face.

A watch that shows both the day of the week and the date of the month.

A buckle that attaches to either side of the strap. The buckle is expandable so that the watch can be slipped on the wrist & snaps shut on the wrist. Once set to the correct size it needs not be resized, thus reducing stress to the strap & elongates its life. This buckle also offers additional security while putting on & taking off the watch.

This is the face of the watch, showing the time.

A term used to describe the various different tasks a watch can perform such as chronograph and countdown timer. These are also known as complications.

The science of time measurement, encompassing the art of designing and constructing watches.

A simple stick/line design hour indicator on an analog watch dial, used instead of numerals.

A function in a chronograph watch that allows the wearer to time segments of a race. At the end of a lap, the timer is stopped and then returns to zero to begin timing the next segment.

Luminous Hands and/or Hour Markers - is a standard feature on many watches. The hour markers and/or hands have a coating of "glow in the dark" which will illuminate in the dark so you can tell the time where there is insufficient light. Results vary by the amount & quality of Luminous material used.

The arms of the watch case that hold the strap or bracelet.

The motor of a watch that makes it keep time and perform functions.

A button that is pressed to work a watch function such as a chronograph, alarm or date corrector.

Quartz is a piezoelectric material, meaning that it generates an electrical charge when mechanical pressure is applied. These crystals also vibrate when a voltage from an outside source, such as a battery, is applied. Piezoelectricity was discovered by Pierre Curie and his brother Jacques in 1880. In the early 1920's, W.G. Cady recognized that due to their elastic qualities, mechanical strength and durability, quartz crystals could be used to fabricate very stable resonators. Cady also concluded that the crystal could be cut in specific ways which would create resonators of almost any frequency that were practically independent of temperature variations. Quartz crystals were first used as a time standard by Warren Marrison, who invented the first quartz clock in 1927. Juergen Staudte invented a method for mass-producing quartz crystals for watches in the early 1970s.

This is an electronic watch movement with a quartz crystal that oscillates when a current is applied to it. The power to run the watch is normally provided by a battery or a capacitor. A quartz movement is generally more accurate than a mechanical movement.

Where the crown is threaded and tightens to the case by screwing the crown into a matching threaded tube that is part of the case. The crown has a gasket that is compressed & seals the opening when the crown is tightened - thus ensuring water resistance. A Screw-Down Crown is an essential feature for any watch you intend on swimming with. An additional benefit of the Screw-Down Crown is that the crown is somewhat more protected from accidental knocks.

A resilient bearing which takes up the shocks received by the watch's balance staff and protects its pivots from damage.

A Chronograph with two center seconds hands, the extra hand runs concurrently with the main chronograph hand but can be stopped independently then made to catch up with the running chronograph. Thus called the "Split Seconds hand" which refers to two hands - a fly back hand and a regular chronograph hand. Both hands move together with the ability to time laps or multiple finishing times, the wearer can stop the fly back hand while the chronograph hand continues. This, in effect, splits the hand in two. The split seconds thus allows recording the successive or additional times of events that start together.

A durable metal alloy that is almost rust resistant and rarely corrodes or discolors and, therefore, is highly suitable for watch case and bracelets. It is sometimes used on the case backs of watches made of other metals.

See Chronograph

A small sub-dial on a watch face used for purposes such as indicating the date, power reserve or keeping track of elapsed time.

Common feature in chronograph watches. Measures the speed over a predefined distance. The wearer starts the chronograph when passing the starting point and stops it when passing the finish. The wearer can read the speed in units per hour off the tachometer scale. The scale is generally engraved on the bezel or printed on the outer diameter of the dial.

A watch that is water resistant can withstand water to a certain extent. Check the watch manual to find out the exact level of water resistance your watch is. The "Water Resistant" feature is common on most watches. It is important to remember that the water resistant rating is granted when the watch is new & tested in ideal conditions. As the watch ages the seals & gaskets begin to erode these ratings decline. Therefore it is necessary to have the water resistance tested every year. Click here to read a detailed explanation about water resistance.