Watch Terms Information
ANALOGUE
Analogue watches are the essential classic watches that use moving hands and a marked dial to show the time.
ATMOSPHERE (ATM)
A unit of pressure often used to measure the water resistance of a watch. Usually 1ATM equals 10 Meters or 32.81 feet and is multiplied within that scale. Most watches are measured in units of 1ATM - 3ATM - 5ATM - 10ATM and 20ATM
AUTOMATIC WATCHES
These watches do not require batteries and work by winding themselves up whilst being worn on the wrist; they do not need to be wound up manually, although certain models allow you to top them up this way. The movements to the watch whilst being worn turns an oscillating weight which keeps the mainspring wound and the watch working. Most automatic watches will stop working after approximately 36 hours if not worn providing they are fully charged.
BASE METALS
Base metals are non-precious metals, such as brass.
BATTERY
Sometimes known as a cell, the battery provides the power for all quartz watches, most battery watches should have a minimum battery life of 2 years although some can last for as long as 10 years.
BEZEL
This is the ring on the outside of the head/case that surrounds the dial or face of the watch. In certain models of watch the bezel can be rotated, usually only in one direction, anti-clockwise.
BRACELET
When watches come with a metal bracelet, often the bracelet is made up of individual small Links. Metal bracelets can be made out of a plated base metal, stainless steel, titanium, or precious metals such as silver or gold. Watch bracelets are usually fastened by means of a clasp, although it is possible to get expanding elastic bracelets which can be slipped over the hand.
BUCKLE
The fastener on most leather straps is known as a buckle or Tang Buckle Clasp.
CALENDAR
A watch feature that shows the date and sometimes the day of the week. Some watches also indicate the month.
CASE
This is the main body of the watch sometimes called the head, which contains the movement and usually the face and dial.
CASE BACK
At the rear of most wrist watches is the case back which is affectively an access panel to the movement of the watch. Most case backs flip off and then snap back into position although watches which are water resistant often have a screw down back.
CHRONOGRAPH
A chronograph is a separate stopwatch function on a wrist watch. Most chronograph watches usually have two or three smaller individual dials on the main watch face which measure different gradations of time, most often seconds, minutes and hours.
CLASP
The clasp is the fastener on a watch bracelet, connecting and securing the two open ends. There are a few different styles of clasp depending on the bracelet and watch type, with certain models having extra security features such as fold over bars and/or push-button releases.
Butterfly Clasp - is when the bracelet ends and affectively tucks in under itself each end, folding up to leave a hidden extension underneath which unfolds when open. It is in effect a hidden deployment clasp.
Fold Over Clasp - is very similar to a butterfly clasp accept that the clasp unfolds on just one side and is not hidden from view when closed.
Deployment Clasp - is very similar to a Fold Over clasp, the bracelet is leather and the size can be adjusted by moving the position at which one of the ends connects to the fold over part of the clasp.
Hook Buckle Clasp - as the name suggests is when literally a hook (often with safety catch) is put through a loop or hole to connect the two ends. Jewellery Clasp: is very simple and is effectively a latch that snaps closed around a bar. As the name suggests, it is very often used on jewellery pieces.
Bolt Clasp - is where the two ends join and then a bolt from one is slid into a holding point of another and then swung round locking it in place, much like a conventional bolt design.
Tang Buckle Clasp - is the technical name for a conventional clasp and buckle, much like you find on a belt or leather strapped watch.
Toggle Clasp - is when a relatively large bar is put through a small ring on the other end of the bracelet. It is generally used more with jewellery rather than watches.
Velcro Clasp - is as the name suggests, literally just two ends which have the necessary Velcro components which when put together hold. Mostly used with sports and diving watches.
CROWN
Known also as the button or winder. It is used to alter the time and date feature on most watches. It can also be used on some models to wind up the movement of mechanical watches. With certain watches, usually water resistant models, the crown can be screwed down for extra protection against water entering the case.
DIAL
Alternatively known as the watch face. This sits in the case on top of the watch movement and is often ornate giving a watch its own individual character. It is often an important design feature of the watch as it is the focal point used to view the time and other features.
DIGITAL (LCD)
A digital watch uses a liquid-crystal display to display the time or other functions. Often the whole watch face is digital or sometimes a display within a watch face.
ELECTROPLATING
This is the process by which a base metal or stainless steel, case and bracelet is given a more decorative finish. Gold plating is the most common form of electroplating however rhodium plating and palladium plating is also done. The amount of metal deposited is measured in microns with the more microns of plating, the thicker and more hard-wearing it is.
FACE
This is another name for the dial.
GLASS
The glass is the protective cover over the dial of the watch. It can be of different shapes to fit in with the style of the watch and head. Although normally flat, it can sometimes be domed or curved. The glass can be made of different materials, with the most common being:
Acrylic crystal ? The standard for most watch glass, light scratches can be buffed out.
Mineral crystal - A treated hardened glass which is more resistant to scratches.
Sapphire crystal - Most expensive & durable, approximately 20 times harder than acrylic crystal.
GOLD PLATED
See electroplating.
HANDS
Hands are used to indicate the time on an analogue watch. Often the hands of watches are coated with a luminous substance so that they can be seen easily in poor light.
IONIC BLACK PLATING
This is a form of plating similar to gold plating except the finish produced is a matt black finish.
LUMINOUS
Is a term for a self-illuminating coating often found on watch dials and hands which make them easier to read in poor light.
MECHANICAL
Mechanical movement is the traditional movement which is powered by a mainspring which is wound up by hand using the crown/winder. As the mainspring slowly unwinds it drives the intricate workings of the watch movement, providing power needed to keep the watch working. - A simple feature on certain watches which allows you to keep track of the moon's phases.
MOTHER OF PEARL
Also known as Nacre , iridescent in finish, it is taken from the inside of the shell of a freshwater mollusc. Sometimes used on the face of a watch, its colourful lustre can add a decorative quality to the watch dial when the light catches it.
MOVEMENT
The movement is the inner workings of a watch inside the head/case. There are several different types of watch movements available, including: mechanical; automatic; and more commonly quartz.
MULTIFUNCTION
Describes a watch with a number of different features, or functions. These functions sometimes include a stopwatch or chronograph, a dual time facility or alarm.
QUARTZ
A quartz watch is a watch movement which is driven by a replaceable battery. The battery sends a small current through a quartz crystal which, in turn, vibrates at a very consistent rate. Quartz movements are incredibly accurate as the amount of time lost or gained over the course of a day is next to nothing.
SCREW-DOWN CROWN
See Crown for further details.
SEAL
Gaskets are most commonly used to provide a water-tight barrier, or seal, at different points in the watch, most commonly at contact points between different separate components such as between the case back or winder and head.
STAINLESS STEEL
Being a dense, rust-resistant and highly durable metal it is often used in watch making for watch cases and bracelets. Because of Its natural colour and hardiness it means that it only needs to be electroplated if a gold or other set colour is required. It can be finished with either a polished or matt finish, depending on style and desired affect.
STRAP
The can be made from a multitude of different materials including Leather, Leather effect, Plastic, Rubber, Nylon, material band or combination of one or more materials that holds a watch onto the wearers wrist.
24 HOUR INDICATOR
This is a feature which also shows the time in 24 hour format, usually by means of a separate smaller dial on the watch face, often looking like part of a chronograph.
WATERPROOF
An often misused term as no watch is 100% waterproof. Water resistance should never be confused with "water proof".
WATER RESISTANT
Water resistance is measured in metres or ATM's. One ATM is equivalent to 10 metres . If, for arguments sake, your watch is marked as water resistant to 100 metres (10 ATMS) then it is suitable for surface swimming, not diving/scuba diving. We do not recommend wearing a watch rated less than 100 metres (10 ATMS) when swimming. The 100 metres refers to the water depth the watch can withstand under laboratory conditions, not real life. This is true of ANY watch, not only those sold by us.
Below is a guide to the normal kind of usage that water resistance ratings will allow:
Water resistant to 3 ATM (approx. 30meters/98feet) = Splash proof only
Water resistant to 5 ATM (approx. 50meters/164feet) = Shallow water swimming
Water resistant to 10 ATM (approx. 100meters/330feet) = Swimming/Snorkeling
Water resistant to 20 ATM (approx. 200meters/660feet) = Skin Diving
If you intend to go Scuba diving then a specialist watch designed for this is strongly advised. Water resistant watches should be inspected every year by a qualified jeweller and any worn out seals replaced. The water seals should also be checked whenever the watch is opened - for instance when having a new battery fitted.
WORLD TIMER
Usually found more on digital watches, World timer is a feature that allows you to tell the time in any country, usually indicated by the major cities.
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