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| Learning center |
| How watches work......Glossary of watch terms ......Automatic watch maintenance.....FAQs |
| Sizing your watch . .. .Care&Cleaning....................Buying guide ............................Water resistance and watches |
| |
| Glossary of Watch Terms |
| These words are used frequently in watch lingo.Refer to the following definitions if you have any questions about technical |
| specifications or terms. We are also very happy to discuss these terms or any other questions you may have about |
| shopping for watches. |
| A |
| Accuracy: |
| Refers to rate constancy of a watch, not only on whether it is showing the exact time. A watch gaining or loosing exactly |
| the same amount every day is considered accurate. |
| Acrylic Crystal: |
| Sometimes referred to as Hesolite,an acrylic crystal is composed of plastic composite that is generally less expensive and |
| less durable than a sapphire or a mineral crystal.Benefits of an acrylic crystal are that it flexes rather than shatters on |
| impact,It also produces little glare under bright light and can be polished easily. |
| Alarm: |
| A device that makes a sound at a preset time.There are both quartz and mechanical alarm watches. |
| Altimeter: |
| Function that provides altitude by responding to changes in barometric pressure,commonly found in pilot watches.Inside a |
| pressurized airplane cabin, the altimeter registers as if on land. |
| Analog Watch: |
| A watch with a dial , hands , and numbers or markers that present a total display of 12-hours |
| Analog-Digital Display: |
| A watch that shows the time by means of hands (analog display) as well as by numbers (a digital display).The analog |
| display has a traditional dial with hour,minute and sometimes second hands.The digital display shows the time numerically |
| with a liquid crystal display. This feature is usually found on sport watches. |
| Annual Calendar: |
| A watch showing the day,date month and 24 hours,adjusting automatically for short and long months.The calendar needs |
| setting only once a year - at the end of February to the 1st of March. |
| Aperture: |
| Small opening.The dials of some watches (in French: montres à guichet) have apertures in which certain indications are |
| provided (e.g. the date, the hour, etc). |
| Atmosphere (Atm): |
| Unit of pressure used in watch making to indicate water resistance . |
| Atomic Time Standard: |
| Provided by the U.S.National Institute of Standards and Technology,Time and Frequency Division,Boulder,Colorado,atomic |
| time is measured through vibrations of atoms in a metal isotope that resembles mercury.The result is extremely accurate |
| time that can be measured on instruments. Radio waves transmit this exact time throughout North America and some |
| 'atomic' watches can receive them and correct to the exact time. To synchronize your watch with atomic standard time. |
| Automatic Movement / Automatic Winding (also called self-winding ): |
| A mechanically powered watch that is wound by the motion of the wearer's arm rather than through turning the winding |
| stem ( manual mechanical ). In response to this motion, a rotor turns and winds the watch's mainspring. Most automatic |
| watches have up to 36 hours of power reserve. If an automatic watch is not worn for a day or two, it will wind down and |
| need to be wound by hand to get it started again. Click here for automatic watch instructions . |
| B |
| Band: |
| A vague, generic term used to refer to the band that holds a watch on your wrist. The preferred terms bracelet and strap, |
| clearly describe the two major types. |
| Battery EOL: |
| Battery End Of Life indicator.This function forewarns of impending battery failure in a quartz watch by means of the second |
| hand jumping in two or sometimes four-second intervals.The wearer usually has approximately two weeks before battery |
| failure. |
| Battery Life: |
| The period of time that a battery will continue to provide power to run the watch. Life begins at the point when the factory |
| initially installs the battery in the watch. |
| Battery: |
| A device that converts chemical energy into electricity.Most watch batteries are the silver oxide type,delivering 1.5 volts. |
| Much longer-lasting lithium batteries deliver 3 volts. |
| Battery-less Quartz: |
| Also known under various marketing names, including Kinetic (Seiko), Omega-matic (Omega), and Auto quartz (Invicta). |
| Terms for the modern hybrid watch technology of using a quartz movement powered by a small electric current generator |
| operated by a rotor.Electricity generated from the rotor's movement is stored in a capacitor,rechargeable battery,or |
| similar means to keep the watch running. So, like an automatic watch , these also must be worn regularly to keep up their |
| electrical power reserve. |
| Bezel: |
| Generically, the upper part of the watch body.Specifically, it usually refers to a ring around the outside of the crystal .On |
| jewelry watches, the bezel may contain a ring of diamonds. On sports watches, the bezel may have calibrated markings |
| and the ability to rotate in one or two directions. |
| Bidirectional Rotating Bezel: |
| A bezel that can be moved either clockwise or counterclockwise. These are used for mathematical calculations or for |
| keeping track of elapsed time . |
| Bracelet: |
| A bracelet is the flexible metal band consisting of assembled links,usually in the same style as the watchcase.Detachable |
| links change the length of the bracelet. Bracelets can be made of stainless steel,sterling silver,gold,or a combination.See |
| also strap. |
| C |
| Cabochon: |
| Used to indicate a smooth round or oval convex shaped polished gemstone.In watch terminology,it describes a decorative |
| stone set in the watch crown. |
| Calendar: |
| The calendar mechanism or function on a watch can consist of a date only showing in a window through to a triple calendar |
| ,showing the date, day and month. A combination of dial cut outs and pointer hands may be used. The most complicated |
| calendar mechanisms may be mechanically programmed to show the year and months including those with less that 31 |
| days;leap years can also be mechanically allowed for.Sometimes referred to as a perpetual calendar. |
| Case or Watchcase: |
| The metal housing that contains the internal parts of a watch.Stainless steel is the most typical metal used,but titanium,gold, |
| silver and platinum can also be used. |
| Chronograph Rattrapante: |
| The addition of a flyback hand (rattrapante) significantly increases the potential uses for chronographs . It makes possible |
| the measurement of split second times or timing simultaneous events of unequal duration. |
| Chronograph: |
| A multifunction sport watch with a stopwatch function.Most have two or three subdials,or minidials,for measuring minutes |
| and hours.When used in conjunction with specialized scales on the watch dial it can perform many different functions,such |
| as determining speed or distance ( see "tachometer" and "telemeter" ). Some can time more than one event at a time |
| (see "flyback hand" and "split seconds hand" ). Do not confuse with "chronometer" which is a timepiece that has met |
| certain high standards of accuracy set by an official watch institute of Switzerland. |
| Chronometer: |
| This term refers to a precision watch that is tested in various temperatures and positions,thus meeting the accuracy |
| standards set by C.O.S.C. in Switzerland. These watches are provided with a chronometer certifcate detailing specific test |
| results by the C.O.S.C. |
| Clasp: |
| The attachment used to connect the two ends of the watch bracelet around the wrist. |
| C.O.S.C: |
| Control Officile Suisse de Chronometers or Swiss Controle Officiel des Cronometres- the independent Swiss regulatory |
| organization that rigorously tests and certifies (or fails) watch movements for chronometer status. |
| Countdown Timer: |
| A function that lets the wearer keep track of how much of a preset period of time has elapsed. Some countdown timers |
| sound a warning signal a few seconds before the time runs out. These are useful in events such as yacht races, where the |
| sailor must maneuver the boat into position before the start of a race. |
| Crown: |
| The crown often referred to as the winding crown or winder is used for winding the watch in the case of a non-automatic, |
| for setting the hands to the correct time and often for setting the date in the case of calendar equipped watches.On |
| diving/sports models, the crown may be screw-down whereby it screws onto a threaded tube, which protrudes from the |
| case of the watch. This often ensures superior water resistance . |
| Crystal: |
| The cover over the watch dial is called the crystal.There are three types of crystals commonly used in watches:acrylic |
| crystal is an inexpensive plastic that allows shallow scratches to be buffed out.Mineral crystal is composed of several |
| elements that are heat-treated to create an unusual hardness that aids in resisting scratches. Sapphire crystal is the most |
| expensive and durable, approximately three times harder than mineral crystals and 20 times harder than acrylic crystals.A |
| non-reflective coating on some sport styles prevents glare. |
| Crystal Skeleton Caseback: |
| Caseback made of transparent material such as hardened mineral crystal or sapphire crystal that reveals the intricate |
| movement of the watch. |
| Cyclops ( Magnified Window ): |
| A small window or lens in the crystal that is added to magnify the date 2 1/2 times. |
| D |
| Day/Date Watch: |
| A watch that indicates not only the date but also the day of the week. |
| Deployment Buckle ( Foldover ): |
| A three-folding enclosure that secures the two ends of the bracelet and allows enough room for placing the watch on the |
| wrist when fully deployed. When closed, the buckle covers the two-piece folding mechanism. |
| Depth Alarm: |
| An alarm on a diver's watch that sounds when the wearer exceeds a preset depth. In most watches it stops sounding when |
| the diver ascends above that depth. |
| Depth Sensor/Depth Meter: |
| A device on a diver's watch that determines the wearer's depth by measuring water pressure. It shows the depth either by |
| analog hands and a scale on the watch dial or through a digital display. |
| Dial: |
| The dial, often referred to as the face is usually marked with numbers or batons to which the hands point in order for the |
| wearer to tell the correct time. Dials may be minimalist with no markers at all or extremely complex as in the case of pilots' |
| chronographs. Dials may be decorated with patterns or in some cases with precious stones. |
| Digital: |
| The display of time in numbers instead of hands on the dial .The numbers can appear in an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), |
| which shows a continuous reading or an LED (Light-Emitting Diode), which shows the time at the push of a button. |
| Display: |
| Indication of time or other data, either by means of hands moving over a dial ( analog display ) or by means of numerals |
| such appearing in one or more windows ( digital or numerical display ); these numerals may be completed by alphabetical |
| indications (alphanumerical display) or by signs of any other kind. Example: 12.05 MO 12.3 = 12 hours, 5 minutes, Monday |
| 12th March. Such displays can be obtained by mechanical or electronic means. |
| Diver's Watch: |
| Divers' watches traditionally feature a graduated,rotating bezel,screw down winding crown,and caseback.. must be water |
| resistant to at least 200m or 660 feet. |
| Dual Time/Second Time Zone Bezel: |
| A rotating bezel ,which can be used to display a separate time zone distinct from that shown on the dial . |
| Dual Time: |
| A watch that measures current local time as well as at least one other time zone. The additional time element may come |
| from a twin dial,extra hand,subdial,or other means. |
| E |
| Elapsed Time Rotating Bezel: |
| A graduated rotating bezel (see"rotating bezel")used to keep track of periods of time.The bezel can be turned so the wearer |
| can align the zero on the bezel with the watch's seconds or minutes hand . You can then read the elapsed time off of the |
| bezel. This saves from having to perform the subtraction that would be necessary if you used the watch's regular dial . |
| Elapsed Time: |
| The actual time taken for an object to travel over a specified distance. |
| Engine Turning: |
| Decorative engraving, usually on a watch dial . |
| EOL: |
| End of Life. In quartz movement, the end of battery life is indicated by the second hand , which starts to jump every four |
| seconds.The battery should be changed immediately. |
| F |
| Face |
| The visible side of the watch or the dial . |
| Flyback: |
| An additional hand on a chronograph which moves with the second hand but, can be stopped independently to measure an |
| interval which can then "fly back" to catch up with the other hand. This is useful for capturing lap times without losing the |
| ability to capture the finish time. |
| Foldover Buckle ( Deployment ): |
| A three-folding enclosure that secures the two ends of the bracelet and allows enough room for placing the watch on the |
| wrist when fully deployed. When closed, the buckle covers the two-piece folding mechanism. |
| G |
| Gasket: |
| A rubber or plastic ring that seals the internal works of the watch against dust, moisture and water. |
| GMT Timezone: |
| GMT (Greenwich Mean Time), also known as Zulu Time,as set to the international clock in Greenwich,England, reflects, |
| through an additional hour hand , the world time on a 24-hour scale and is used by pilots worldwide. |
| Gold Plating: |
| An application of gold over the surface of an item. |
| Gold, Rose Gold, Yellow Gold, and White Gold: |
| The only natural form of gold is yellow gold. But since gold is too soft in its pure form to make jewelry, it is normally made |
| into an alloy by mixing it with other metals.The portion of pure gold to other metals determines the Karat rating.24K is pure |
| gold. 18K is 75% pure. The exact nature of the other metals used determines the color. A moderate amount of copper in the |
| alloy creates Rose Gold. A moderate amount of palladium and nickel creates white gold. |
| H |
| Hand: |
| Indicator, usually made of a thin, light piece of metal, variable in form,which moves over a graduated dial or scale.Watches |
| usually have three hands showing the hours, minutes and seconds. |
| Handwinding (Manual Mechanical): |
| A watch with a manual mechanical movement,which needs to be wound by the wearer using the winding crown.This winds |
| the mainspring up which then releases its energy to power the watch. |
| J |
| Jewels: |
| The bearing, endstone or pallet used for reducing friction within the movement of a watch are made of synthetic material of |
| precious or semi-precious stones.Usually a very inexpensive form of synthetic ruby,these are used for virtually frictionless |
| pivots or hubs at certain critical places in the watch mechanism.These jewels do not add any monetary value to a watch.It is |
| also important to understand that more jewels does not necessarily make a better watch. |
| Jump Hour Indicator: |
| A jump hour indicator takes the place of an hour hand .It shows the hour by means of a numeral in a window on the dial of |
| the watch. The word "jump" refers to the fact that the numerals jump from 1 to 2 to 3, etc.,rather than showing intermediate |
| times between hours as hour hands do.The minutes and seconds in a jump hour watch are read as normal from the analog |
| hands and dial. |
| K |
| Karat or K: |
| An indication of the purity of the metal used,expressed in the number of 1/24th of the pure metal used in the alloy.Metals. |
| such as gold are too soft in their pure state use in jewelry,so they are typically made into an alloy with other metals for |
| strength 24K (equal to 24/24ths) is pure metal. 18K is 18 parts pure metal mixed with 6 parts of other metals.That |
| translates to 18/24=0.750, which is 75% pure, or 750 parts per thousand. |
| Kinetic: |
| Refers to the Seiko line of Kinetic watches. This innovative technology has a quartz movement that does not use a battery. |
| Movement of your wrist charges a very efficient capacitor which powers the quartz movement. Once the capacitor is fully |
| charged, men's models will store energy for 7-14 days without being worn. Ladies models store energy for 3-7 days. The |
| watch alerts you to a low capacitor charge when the seconds hand starts to move in two second intervals. |
| L |
| Lap Memory: |
| The ability, in some quartz sport watches, to preserve in the watch's memory the times of laps in a race that have been |
| determined by the lap timer (see "lap timer" ). The wearer can recall these times on a digital display by pushing a button. |
| Lap Timer: |
| A chronograph function that lets the wearer time segments of a race. At the end of a lap, the wearer stops the timer,which |
| then returns to zero to begin timing the next lap. |
| LCD Display (Liquid Crystal Display): |
| A digital watch display that shows the time electronically by means of a liquid held in a thin layer between two transparent |
| plates. Followed from the earlier LED or Light Emitting Diode display of the first quartz digital watches. The LCD was |
| preferred as it used vastly less power than the LED thus the time could be shown constantly as opposed to having to press |
| a button for time display. |
| Lugs: |
| Extensions on both sides of the case where the bracelet or strap is attached . |
| M |
| Magnified Window ( Cyclops ): |
| A small window or lens in the crystal that is added to magnify the date 2 1/2 times. |
| Manual Winding: |
| Refers to a watch with a manual mechanical movement , which needs to be wound by the wearer using the winding crown . |
| This winds the mainspring up which then releases its energy to power the watch. |
| Mechanical Movement: |
| A movement based on a mainspring which when wound slowly unwinds the spring in an even motion to provide accurate |
| timekeeping. As opposed to a manual mechanical watch which needs to be wound on a consistent basis, an automatic |
| mechanical requires no winding because of the rotor,which winds the mainspring every time you move your wrist (see our |
| section on automatic watch maintenance for more details). |
| Military or 24 Hour Time: |
| When time is measured in 24-hour segments.To convert 12-hour time to 24-hour time, simply add 12 to any p.m. time.To |
| convert 24-hour time to 12-hour time, subtract 12 from any time from 13 to 24. |
| Mineral Crystal: |
| Watch crystal made from what is essentially a form of glass. More scratch resistant than acrylic , a mineral crystal will |
| however scratch and is extremely difficult to polish. |
| Minute Repeater: |
| A Complication on a watch that can strike the time in hours, quarters, or seconds by means of a push piece. |
| Moon Phase: |
| An indicator that keeps track of the phases of the moon. A regular rotation of the moon is once around the earth every 29 |
| days, 12 hours and 44 minutes. Once set, the moon phase indicator accurately displays the phase of the moon. |
| Mother-of-Pearl: |
| Iridescent milky interior shell of the freshwater mollusk that is sliced thin and used on watch dials.While most have a milky |
| white luster, mother-of-pearl also comes in other colors such as silvery gray, gray blue, pink and salmon. |
| Movement: |
| The means by which a watch keeps time,often including the power source.For example,a watch with mechanical movement |
| uses a spinning balance wheel powered by a tightly wound spring, whereas a watch with quartz movement measures the |
| vibrations in a piece of quartz and often is powered by a battery. |
| O |
| O-Ring: |
| O-rings are used to seal the backs of watches, which feature either a press-in back or a screw on back. They ensure water |
| resistance.Usually also used on the winding stems of watches and in the winding crowns to protect against the ingestion of |
| water and dust. Normally made from a rubber/plastic compound. |
| P |
| Pedometer: |
| A device that counts the number of strides taken by the wearer by responding to the impact of the wearer's steps. |
| Perpetual Calendar: |
| A calendar complication that adjusts automatically to account for different lengths of the month (30 or 31 days) and leap |
| years. Perpetual calendars, which can be powered by quartz or mechanical movements , are programmed to be accurate |
| until the year 2100. |
| Platinum: |
| One of the most rare precious metals, platinum also is one of the strongest and heaviest, making it a popular choice for |
| setting gemstone jewelry and watches. It has a rich, white luster, and an understated look. Platinum is hypoallergenic and |
| tarnish resistant. Platinum used in jewelry and watches is at least 85 to 95 percent pure. Many platinum watches are |
| produced in limited editions due to the expense and rarity of the metal. |
| Power Reserve Indicator: |
| A feature that shows when the watch will soon need a new battery or winding.A battery reserve indicator on a quartz watch |
| informs the wearer when the battery is low. Often this is indicated by the seconds hand moving at two or three-second |
| intervals.Seiko's Kinetic watches are quartz watches that do not have a battery (see Kinetic ).When a Seiko Kinetic needs to |
| be wound, the seconds hand will also move in two-second intervals. |
| Power Reserve: |
| A measure of the amount of time a watch will run after being fully powered or wound, with no additional power input. |
| Normally, this means when a mechanical watch is fully wound or a quartz watch has a brand new battery. Many modern |
| mechanical watches have a power reserve of 40 hours. Power reserve also applies to battery-less quartz watches, which |
| may have power reserves from 40 hours to 6 months. On battery-operated quartz watches, the term is sometimes used to |
| refer to the expected battery life--typically 12 to 32 months. |
| Pulsimeter: |
| A scale on a chronograph watch for measuring the pulse rate. |
| Push-Piece: |
| Button that is pressed to work a mechanism. Push-pieces are usually found on chronographs,striking watches, and alarms. |
| Q |
| Quartz: |
| A caliber that uses the vibrations of a tiny crystal to maintain timing accuracy.The power comes from a battery that must be |
| replaced about every 2-3 years. In recent years,new quartz technology enables the watch to recharge itself without battery |
| replacement. This power is generated via body motion similar to an automatic mechanical watch, or powered by light |
| through a solar cell ( Kinetic & solar-tech). |
| R |
| Ratchet Bezel Ring: |
| A bezel ring that can either turn one way (counter clockwise) or both ways and generally clicks into place. |
| Rattrapante Chronograph: |
| The addition of a flyback hand (rattrapante)significantly increases the potential uses for chronographs.It makes possible the |
| measurement of split second times or timing simultaneous events of unequal duration. |
| Register: |
| Another name for a subdial;this is usually a dial within the main dial of a watch.The best example is possibly a chronograph |
| where there may be registers for the chronograph minutes and hours. Some watches have registers with pointers showing |
| the day and date. |
| Repeater: |
| A device that chimes the time when the wearer pushes a button.Some repeaters,called "quarter repeaters"sound just the |
| hours and the quarter hours (by means of two different pitched tones);others called "five minute repeaters",sound the |
| hours,quarters and five minute periods after the quarter;and still others called "minute repeaters",sound the hours,quarters |
| and minutes. |
| Retrograde: |
| Used to describe a pointer hand on a watch dial (often a subdial ),which returns to zero at the end of a prescribed period. |
| for example a watch may have retrograde date - in this case the hand moves up a scale a day at a time, pointing to the |
| current date - when it reaches 31 it will spring back to 1. |
| Rhodium Plated: |
| Protective coating of metal with a thin layer of rhodium;hard,brittle metal which does not oxidize and is malleable only when |
| red hot. |
| Rose (or pink) Gold: |
| A softly hued gold that contains the same metals as yellow gold but with a higher concentration of copper in the alloy.A |
| popular color in Europe,rose gold in watches is often seen in retro styling or in tricolor gold versions.Some 18k red gold |
| watches achieve their color from additional copper in the alloy. |
| Rotating Bezel: |
| A bezel (the ring surrounding the watch dial ) that can be turned. Different types of rotating bezels perform different |
| timekeeping and mathematical functions. |
| Rotor: |
| The part of an automatic (or self-winding ) mechanical watch that winds the movement's mainspring.It is a flat piece of |
| metal, usually shaped like a semicircle, which swivels on a pivot with the motion of the wearer's arm. |
| S |
| Sapphire Crystal: |
| Synthetic sapphire formed for use as the crystal of a watch. Extremely scratch resistant (9 on the Moh scale), a sapphire |
| crystal is the material of choice for many watch collectors. The downsides are that sapphire can chip at the edges if they |
| protrude and can shatter. |
| Sapphlex Crystal (Seiko Watches): |
| Highly scratch resistant crystal created by the fusion of sapphire and mineral glass crystal . |
| Screw-Down Locking Crown: |
| A crown that aids water resistance by sealing the crown to the case of the watch. The seal is achieved by the matching of a |
| threaded pipe on the case with the crown's internal threads and gaskets , while twisting the crown to lock it into place. |
| Second Time Zone Indicator: |
| An additional dial that can be set to the time in another time zone.It lets the wearer keep track of local time and the time in |
| another country simultaneously. |
| Self-Winding: |
| This term refers to a mechanically powered watch that is wound by the motion of the wearer's arm rather than through |
| turning the winding stem ( manual mechanical ).In response to this motion,a rotor turns and winds the watch's mainspring. |
| Most automatic watches have up to 36 hours of power reserve.If an automatic watch is not worn for a day or two, it will |
| wind down and need to be wound by hand to get it started again. |
| Shock Resistance: |
| As defined by the U.S. government regulation,a watch's ability to withstand an impact equal to that of being dropped onto a |
| wood floor from a height of three feet. |
| Slide Rule Bezel: |
| A rotating bezel,or ring, around the outside edge of the watch case that is printed with a logarithmic scale and assorted |
| other scales and is used in conjunction with fixed rules of mathematics to perform general mathematical calculations or |
| navigational computations. |
| Solar Powered: |
| A type of quartz movement where the batteries are recharged via solar panels on the watch dial.They have a power reserve |
| so they can run even in the dark. |
| Solar Tech: |
| Solar powered quartz watch.This technology provides the accuracy of quartz, without the inconvenience and cost of |
| regular battery changes. |
| Split Second: |
| A feature on a chronograph that actually is two hands , one a flyback , the other a regular hand. To time laps or different |
| finishing times, the wearer can stop the fly backhand independently while the regular hand keeps moving. |
| Stainless Steel: |
| An extremely durable metal alloy (chromium is a main ingredient) that is virtually immune to rust,discoloration, and |
| corrosion; it can be highly polished,thus resembling a precious metal. Stainless steel is often used even on case backs on |
| watches made of other metals and is the metal of choice used to make high quality watchcases and bracelets.It is also |
| hypoallergenic because it doesn't contain nickel. |
| Sterling Silver: |
| A precious metal. Sterling refers to silver that is 92.5 percent pure. The silver fineness should be stamped on the metal, |
| sometimes accompanied by the initials of a designer or country of origin as a hallmark. A protective coating may be added |
| to prevent tarnishing. |
| Stopwatch: |
| A watch with a seconds hand that measures intervals of time.When a stopwatch is incorporated into a standard watch,both |
| the stop watch function and the timepiece are referred to as a "chronograph" . |
| Strap: |
| A watchband made of cloth,rubber,leather or other non-metal material. |
| Subdial: |
| A small dial used for any of several purposes,such as keeping track of elapsed minutes or hours on a chronograph or |
| indicating the date. |
| Swiss A.O.S.C. (Certificate of Origin): |
| A mark identifying a watch that is assembled in Switzerland with components of Swiss origin,primarily used in Bedat watches |
| T |
| Tachometer (Tachymeter): |
| Instrument for measuring speed or units.In watch making,a timer or chronograph with a graduated dial on which speed can |
| be read off in kilometers per hour or some other unit (see timer ). |
| Tank Watch: |
| A rectangular watch with heavier bars on either side of the dial.Inspired by the tank tracks of World War I and first created |
| by Louis Cartier. |
| Tantalum: |
| A metal with a texture similar to titanium,but a color similar to gold.Used by Omega for the gold-like trim on certain |
| titanium watches. Many of these watches are also available in titanium with real gold trim. |
| Telemeter: |
| A watch function that finds the distance of an object from the wearer by measuring how long it takes sound to travel the |
| distance.Like a tachometer,a telemeter consists of a stopwatch function and a special on the dial of a chronograph . |
| Timer: |
| Instrument used for registering intervals of time (duration, brief times),without any indication of the time of day. |
| Titanium: |
| A "space age" metal,often having a silver-gray appearance.Because it is 30 percent stronger and nearly 50 percent lighter |
| than steel, it has been increasingly used in watch making,especially sport watch styles.Its resistance to salt water corrosion |
| makes it particularly useful in diver's watches .Since it can be scratched easily,some manufacturers use a patented-coating |
| to resist scratching. Titanium is also hypoallergenic. |
| Tonneau Watch: |
| A watch with a barrel-shaped watchcase and two convex sides. |
| Totalizer: |
| A mechanism that keeps track of elapsed time and displays it, usually on a subdial on the watch dial.Same as a "recorder" |
| or "register" .The term "totalizer" can be used more generally to refer to any counter on a watch. |
| U |
| Unidirectional Rotating Bezel: |
| An elapsed time rotating bezel,often found on divers watches,that moves only in a counterclockwise direction.It is designed |
| to prevent a diver who has unwittingly knocked the bezel off its original position from overestimating his remaining air |
| supply. Because the bezel only moves in one direction, the diver can err only on the side of safety when timing his dive. |
| Many are ratcheted, so that they lock into place for greater safety. |
| UTC: |
| Universal Time Coordinated. A universal time based on the Greenwich Meridian used by the military and in aviation. |
| Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) can be considered approximately equivalent to Universal Time Coordinated (UTC). GMT as |
| such is now obsolete however, being replaced by UTC. Using this timezone/standard avoids errors and problems associated |
| with different time zones and summer times operational in different countries. |
| W |
| Water Resistance: |
| Describes the level of protection a watch has from water damage.See the "water resistance" section for a description of the |
| different levels. |
| Waterproof: |
| The ability to completely exclude the possibility of water entering into any working portion of a watch.According to the |
| Federal Trade Commission, no watch is fully 100 percent waterproof and no manufacturer that sells watches in the U.S. |
| may label any of their watches "waterproof." The FTC demands that watches only be referred to as "water resistant." |
| Winding Stem: |
| The button on the right side of the watchcase used to wind the mainspring. Also called a "crown." |
| Winding: |
| Operation consisting of tightening the mainspring of a watch. This can be done by hand (by the crown ) or automatically |
| (by a rotor , which is caused to swing by the movements of the wearer's arm). |
| World Time Dial: |
| A dial ,usually on the outer edge of the watch face , which tells the time up to 24 time zones around the world. The time |
| zones are represented by the names of cities printed on the bezel or dial.The wearer reads the hour in a particular time |
| zone by looking at the scale next to the city that the hour hand is pointing to.The minutes are read as normal.Watches with |
| this feature are called "world timers." |
| Y |
| Yacht Timer: |
| A countdown timer that sounds warning signals during the countdown for a boat race. |
